# Sign Regulations in Beaverton, Oregon

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Beaverton, Oregon, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Beaverton, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/beaverton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-22
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/beaverton-or/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=283#secid-278)

## At a glance

Beaverton, Oregon regulates 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Temporary Portable Sign (in Public ROW)s in the Commercial Zones (NS, CS, CM-CS, CC, GC) zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 12 sq ft display area; 6 sq ft per face, and 28 inches wide (Sec. 60.40.45.4). Most commercial signs in Beaverton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 25' in Res zones (ground pole); 60' for non-res uses in Res zones; 45' in all other zones | Varies, usually 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones (NS, CS, CM-CS, CC, GC) | 9 | 25' above grade (100% area); up to 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign; cumulative max per calculation method | — |
| Industrial Zones (IND) | 7 | 25' above grade (100% area); see top of wall restriction | 120 sq ft per sign; cumulative max per building | — |
| Office Zones (OI, OI-NC, OI-WS) | 8 | 25' above grade, 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign, total as per calculation | — |
| Multiple Use Zones (RC-BC, RC-MU, RC-DT, RC-OT, RC-E, OI-WS, C-WS, TC-MU, TC-HDR, CM-HDR, SC-MU, SC-HDR, SC-S, SC-E1, SC-E2, SC-E3) | 8 | 25' above grade; up to 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign, total max per formula | — |
| Residential Zones (MR, RMA, RMB, RMC, CM-MR, CM-RM) | 5 | 8 ft (if freestanding) | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Downtown Regional Center Zones (RC-BC, RC-MU, RC-DT, RC-OT, RC-E) | 6 | 25' above grade (full area), 25% of sign area may be above 25' to 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign | — |
| Industrial Zones (Industrial Parks) | 1 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face (double-faced) | — |
| Residential Zones (CM-RM - Small-scale commercial use) | 6 | 25' max; 8' min cl. | Max 120 sq ft per sign, total sign area for all signs on site 200 sq ft; add'l 100 sq ft if directional signage required | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Commercial Zones (NS, CS, CM-CS, CC, GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25' above grade (100% area); up to 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign; cumulative max per calculation method | — | — | — | On exterior walls, up to 25' above grade (see also allocation to other walls) | — | 60.40.35.1 (A-E) |
| Awning Sign | 25' | Included in wall sign total | — | — | — | On awnings/canopies as part of building architecture | — | 60.40.35.2 |
| Blade Sign | 25' clearance max, 8' min above sidewalk | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/leased space | Perpendicular to wall or on awnings. May project max 5', or within 2' of street curb (lesser) | — | 60.40.35.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (NS, CC, OI, OI-NC, IND) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft total (all faces); 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 (plus extras per street frontage rules) | On lot of record, outside right-of-way | — | Table 60.40.35.A |
| Freestanding Sign (CS, CM-CS, GC) | 15 ft | 64 sq ft total (all faces); 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 (plus extras per street frontage rules) | On lot of record, outside right-of-way | — | Table 60.40.35.A |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | Zone max freestanding sign height | 50% of max face area for one sign (32 sq ft/face) if part of allowed freestanding sign | — | — | 1 per qualified property | As component of a freestanding sign along arterial streets only | — | 60.40.50(2)(B) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial, Industrial, Multiple Use zones) | 8 ft for sale/rent signs | Typically 32 sq ft per face (for sale/lease), banners up to 32 sq ft, others per 60.40.45 | — | — | E.g. up to 1 per 100' frontage in right-of-way, or 1 per sale/lease, see temporary use details | Private property or as permitted in right-of-way | — | 60.40.45(3) |
| Temporary Portable Sign (in Public ROW) | 3 ft | 12 sq ft display area; 6 sq ft per face | 28 inches | — | 1 per 100' frontage | Within 20 ft of overhead light source, not in travel lanes/parking/bike paths/etc. | — | 60.40.45.4 |

### Office Zones (OI, OI-NC, OI-WS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25' above grade, 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign, total as per calculation | — | — | — | Anywhere on exterior wall, per code | — | 60.40.35.1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face, 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per building (in-lieu of freestanding sign) | Perpendicular to building wall | — | 60.40.35.3 |
| Blade Sign | 25' clearance max, 8' min | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/leased space | Perpendicular to wall/awning | — | 60.40.35.4 |
| Awning Sign | 25' | Included in wall sign total | — | — | — | On awnings/canopies of the building | — | 60.40.35.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (OI, OI-NC) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft (total); 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1, plus extras by frontage | On lot of record | — | Table 60.40.35.A |
| Freestanding Sign (OI-WS) | 15 ft | 64 sq ft (total); 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1, plus extras by frontage | On lot of record | — | Table 60.40.35.B |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | Zone max freestanding sign height | 16 sq ft per face (50% of 32 sq ft/face), on allowed freestanding signs only | — | — | 1 per property (if eligible) | As component of a freestanding sign on arterial street | — | 60.40.50(2)(B) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft for sale/rent signs | 32 sq ft/face typical for sale/rent or dev; 32 sq ft banners | — | — | — | On private property or as permitted in ROW | — | 60.40.45(3) |

### Multiple Use Zones (RC-BC, RC-MU, RC-DT, RC-OT, RC-E, OI-WS, C-WS, TC-MU, TC-HDR, CM-HDR, SC-MU, SC-HDR, SC-S, SC-E1, SC-E2, SC-E3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25' above grade; up to 1' below top of wall | 120 sq ft per sign, total max per formula | — | — | — | Anywhere on exterior wall/facade | — | 60.40.35.1 |
| Awning Sign | 25' | As per wall sign allowance | — | — | — | On awning/canopy | — | 60.40.35.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face, 64 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 (in-lieu of freestanding sign) | May project up to 8', 2/3 of sidewalk width or within 2' of curb | — | 60.40.35.3 |
| Blade Sign | 25' max, 8' min clearance | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/leased space | Perpendicular to wall/awning | — | 60.40.35.4 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 64 sq ft (all faces), 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1, plus extras by frontage (see code) | On lot of record | — | Table 60.40.35.B |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | 15 ft (zone max for freestanding sign) | 16 sq ft per face (50% of 32 sq ft), only as part of freestanding sign | — | — | 1 per qualifying property | As part of permitted freestanding sign on arterial street | — | 60.40.50(2)(C) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft sale/rent | 32 sq ft per face for sale/lease/dev; banners to 32 sq ft | — | — | Per use (sale/lease/new business/etc.) | On site or in ROW per code | — | 60.40.45(3) |
| Temporary Portable Sign (Downtown RC zones) | 3 ft | 12 sq ft display, 6 sq ft per face | 28 inches | — | Per number of entrances as defined | Within ROW along frontage; not in travel/ADA/parking/vision areas | — | 60.40.45.4.B.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Beaverton

- No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of Section 60.40 of this Code.
- No person shall erect, construct or alter a sign, or permit the same to be done, unless a sign permit has been issued by the city, except as provided in Section 60.40.10.
- The provisions of this Code shall not permit the erection or maintenance of any sign at any place or in any manner unlawful under any other federal, state, or local law. Where provisions conflict, the more restrictive prevails.
- No sign is exempt from the provisions of Section 60.40.25 (Prohibited Signs) and Section 60.40.55 (Nonconforming and Illegal Signs).
- Signs shall not be located within the public right-of-way unless otherwise allowed by a specific Code provision.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to trees, shrubbery, utility poles or traffic control signs or devices.
- Temporary signs shall not be erected or maintained in a way which, by reason of their size, location or construction, constitutes a hazard to the public.
- Temporary signs shall be located outside of the vision clearance area specified in Chapter 2 of the City Engineering Design Manual.
- The following signs are expressly prohibited within city limits: Bench Sign, Billboard, Feather Sign, Flashing Sign, Obstructing Sign, Portable Sign (except where allowed as a temporary sign), Portable Electronic Message Center Sign, Roof Sign (except on single story buildings under certain conditions), Rotating or Revolving Sign, Trailer Sign, Video Sign.
- Signs in vision clearance areas as established in Chapter 2 of the City Engineering and Design Manual.
- Pennants, streamers, festoon lights and other similar devices with parts that are moved by the wind.
- Signs attached to any tree or public utility pole, other than signs identified as exempt in Section 60.40.10.
- Signs using bare-bulb illumination or lighted so that the immediate source of illumination is visible (excluding neon).
- Signs using flame as a source of light.
- Any sign which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic sign or signal.
- Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which blocks visibility of any traffic sign or signal.
- Signs designed or used for the purpose of emitting sound or dispersing smells.
- Inflatable signs, balloons greater than eight cubic feet, or similar devices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Beaverton

- Signs constructed or placed in a public right-of-way by or with the approval of a governmental agency having legal control of that right-of-way for the purpose of traffic control, transit, public safety and wayfinding.
- Signs constructed or placed by public utility companies for the general purpose of providing information concerning a pole, line, pipe or other facility belonging to the public utility as an aid to public safety.
- Signs that are placed outside and are not visible from public rights-of-way.
- Public Art as defined in Section 2.03.245.A of the Beaverton City Code.
- Street address identifiers (numbers or letters) of buildings.
- Plaques, markers or banners placed by the city or city recognized agency or organization for the general purpose of recognizing historic significance or military service.
- Signs allowed as part of a Special Event Permit, subject to separate regulation under Chapter 7, Section 7.05 of the Beaverton City Code.
- Signs approved pursuant to the Open Air Beaverton program.
- Signs required on tree protection fencing and soil protection fencing during construction as per Section 60.61.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall erect, construct or alter a sign, or permit the same to be done, unless a sign permit has been issued by the city, except as provided in Section 60.40.10.
- An application for sign permit approval is subject to the procedures set forth in Section 40.60 (Signs) of this Code.
- The city may require as a condition of a sign permit that any and all unlawful signs on the applicant’s property be removed by a stated time.
- For developments containing one or more businesses, a master sign program may be proposed by the property owner. Master sign programs shall contain the proposed colors, lettering styles, sizes and the location of wall and freestanding signs for tenants in the development.
- Individual business signs which are part of a master sign program are subject to the permit application process.
- Conditions of Temporary Use or Special Event approval shall govern the placement, type and duration of all temporary signs consistent with the approved signage plan.
- Applications for Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) shall include a statement by a licensed engineer certifying that the lighting will comply with the lighting standards of this Code.
- The City may require, as a condition of a sign permit or development approval on property with a preexisting nonconforming sign, that the nonconforming sign(s) be removed, reconstructed, or replaced.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 9 zoning districts in Beaverton — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Beaverton+OR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-beaverton

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