# Sign Regulations in Depoe Bay, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Depoe Bay, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/depoe-bay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Depoe Bay, Oregon regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign or Monument Signs in the C-1, L-I, M-P zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 50 sq ft, and 10 ft wide, with a Not in clear vision area; within private property; not where it causes hazard to vehicular traffic setback (Sec. § 152.096(B)(4)). Most commercial signs in Depoe Bay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 | 1 | — | 2 sq ft (single-family dwelling/home occupation) | — |
| NCA Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-1, L-I, M-P | 8 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| M-W | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 8 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft (single-family dwelling/home occupation) | — | No sign within 10 feet of a government-installed sign within a public right-of-way (§ 152.095(A)(4)) | 1 per property | Not within 10 feet of any government-installed sign within a public right-of-way | — | § 152.095(A) |

### C-1, L-I, M-P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign and Window Sign (combined) | — | Max 20% of facade per sign area calculation | — | — | No specific limit, limited by maximum area | On building facade | — | § 152.096(B)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft tall, min 8 ft clearance (14 ft at alleys w/o curb), max install height: second floor window opening or 24 ft above grade (whichever lower) | 9 sq ft | 3 ft wide, max 18 in thickness, max 42 in projection or within 2 ft of curb (whichever less) | — | 1 per tenant per storefront | On first story (or on second story wall below window opening/24 ft whichever lower); not to extend above roofline/eave/parapet | — | § 152.096(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign or Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | 10 ft | Not in clear vision area; within private property; not where it causes hazard to vehicular traffic | 1 per street frontage per property | On private property; not on sidewalk, pedestrian way, public right-of-way, or where it interferes with pedestrian/vehicular sight area | — | § 152.096(B)(4) |
| A-frame Sign | 4 ft (max) | 8 sq ft | 2 ft (max) | Not within 8 ft of vehicular travel lanes; side clearance for pedestrian access (4 ft on sidewalk) | 1 per business | On private property, or in public right-of-way fronting the business (not within 8 ft of vehicular lanes; may be on sidewalk with 4 ft lateral clearance) | — | § 152.096(B)(5) |
| Banner or Feather Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | Building mounting must maintain 7.5 ft clearance over sidewalk. | 1 per 10 ft of business frontage | Ground-mounted on private property; or attached to building and extending over sidewalk with 7.5 ft minimum clearance; prohibited in flagpole holes along Hwy 101 and planters in public ROW. | — | § 152.096(B)(6) |
| Digital Sign (Building mounted, e.g. Wall/Window) | — | Subject to 20% facade area limit (if building mounted). | — | — | 1 per business/institution (plus 1 'open' sign up to 2 sq ft not counted toward max area) | Same as allowed for wall, window, freestanding, or monument signs. | — | § 152.096(B)(7) |
| Awning / Canopy Sign | — | Deducted from allowed building sign area (20% facade) | — | Not within 2 feet from street curb. Clearance: 8 ft (7 ft valance). | No specific numeric limit, subject to building code and sign area | On awning or canopy as integral part; attached to building on first story. No projections above/fascia. No posts/columns beyond property line. | — | § 152.096(B)(8) |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | Each vehicle entrance or exit needed | Motor vehicle entrance or exit; only when needed for safety/directional purposes and may be in addition to other allowed signs. | — | § 152.096(A)(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 6 sq ft (other); 4 sq ft (real estate, property with building); 8 sq ft (real estate, vacant property); Unlimited (community event) | — | — | 1 per business | On private property, not in public right-of-way | — | § 152.098 |
| Temporary Public Agency or Institutional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft from vehicular travel lanes; 4 ft lateral clearance on sidewalk | Not stated | May be placed within public right-of-way, but not within 8 ft of vehicular lanes, not in bike lanes/parking spaces, not impeding access; may be on sidewalk with 4 ft clear passage | — | § 152.099(C) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (advertising sale, rental, or lease); 4 sq ft (building, temporary sign); 8 sq ft (vacant property, temporary sign) | — | — | Not stated | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | § 152.099(A), § 152.098(B) |
| Professional Name Plate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per professional | — | — | § 152.099(B) |
| Occupational Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Not stated | Commercial building, public institution, or dwelling house | — | § 152.099(E) |
| Election Campaign Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Not specified | — | § 152.099(H) |
| Community/Civic Event Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 152.099(I) |

## Prohibited signs in Depoe Bay

- No sign shall be erected, replaced, altered, or relocated without first obtaining a sign permit, except as otherwise provided.
- Signs may not be installed without property owner permission if different from the business owner.
- Signs shall not be located in such a manner as to interfere with vehicle or pedestrian traffic flow or visibility.
- Signs must not interfere with government-installed signs (stop signs, traffic-control signs, etc.) within the public right-of-way.
- United States, state, and tribal flag displays shall not include business, company, or commodity advertising.
- Signs must not detract from or block any area of scenic value as inventoried in the Comprehensive Plan.
- No sign shall impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- Strobe or rotating lights are not permitted on private property.
- All signs shall conform to acceptable safety requirements as determined by the city.
- Single post freestanding or monument signs are prohibited (must have solid base or multiple posts as described).
- Signs must not violate safety standards or impede pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicle traffic.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Murals are not allowed on buildings.
- No banners or feather signs, other than the American flag, shall be placed in any flagpole holes along Highway 101.
- Signs must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe, neat, clean, and attractive condition.
- Abandoned signs (when business/event completed/discontinued or not properly maintained) must be removed.
- Moving or flashing signs are generally prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Depoe Bay

- Traffic and street signs erected and maintained by a road authority as defined in O.R.S. 801.445.
- Trespass signs posted in accordance with O.R.S. 164.245 to 164.270.
- Holiday decorations.
- Temporary interior window signs.
- Display of the national or state flag (United States flags, state flags, and federally recognized tribal flags of any quantity or size may be placed anywhere, provided they do not impede safety or traffic).
- A-frame signs, banners, and feather signs as defined are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Maintenance or change of text on existing signs does not require a permit.
- Signs conforming to current code that are damaged by acts of nature, vandalism, or accident do not require a new permit fee for repair to pre-damaged condition.
- Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in area advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises.
- One professional name plate not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Temporary public agency or institutional signs not over eight square feet in area for a specific event, placed no more than three days prior and one day following the event.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor when placed upon work under construction, and not exceeding 12 square feet in area.
- An occupational sign denoting name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, public institution building, or dwelling house, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablet, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Legal notices; danger; and temporary, emergency, or non-advertising signs as may be approved by City Council.
- Election campaign signs not exceeding six square feet in area, in compliance with state law.
- Community/civic event signs, limited to events endorsed, sanctioned, or approved by the city or Chamber of Commerce.
- "Open" signs not exceeding two square feet do not require permits and are not counted towards facade sign area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit mention of a 'master sign plan' or required 'sign plan' process for multiple signs or multi-tenant properties in this ordinance text.
- Variance requests (for hardship or reasonable interpretation) can be submitted by a business owner for approval as per §§ 152.170–152.173.
- Permit applications for sign projects are reviewed by the City Planner and may be appealed to the City Council.
- Permits are specific to the property and transferable only if signage is not altered or moved, except to bring into compliance.
- For placing or altering signs within street right-of-way, a separate permit from the city is required per Chapter 95, including submission of site drawings.
- For 'facilities' (including signs) in city street right-of-way, a plan for satisfactory handling of traffic may be required and must be approved by the Public Works Director or designee prior to any interference with traffic.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Depoe Bay — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Depoe+Bay+OR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-depoe-bay

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