Sign Regulations in Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon has specific sign regulations covering 60 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses), Wall Sign (Principal Uses), Awning Sign (Principal Uses). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Hillsboro, Oregon
Sample Sign Requirements in Hillsboro
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign (Multifamily Residential Developments) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face (double-faced) or 16 sq ft per face (single-faced, two allowed) | — |
| Monument Sign (Subdivisions or PUDs with 20+ lots) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face | — |
| Monument Sign (Churches, Schools, Public/Semi-public, Community Centers) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HillsboroFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
60
- Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses)
- Wall Sign (Principal Uses)
- Awning Sign (Principal Uses)
- Banner or Balloon Sign (Principal Uses)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hillsboro
Other Cities in Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions
In Hillsboro, monument signs are limited to 6 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Hillsboro, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Hillsboro, regulated sign types include Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses), Wall Sign (Principal Uses), Awning Sign (Principal Uses), Banner or Balloon Sign (Principal Uses), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Hillsboro vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Hillsboro are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hillsboro has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Hillsboro Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Hillsboro, Oregon sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Hillsboro, Oregon Sign Rules at a Glance
Hillsboro, Oregon regulates 60 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses)s in the Station community commercial (SCC-SC, SCC-MM, SCFI, SCC-DT, UC-MU, UC-AC, UC-NC, UC-OR) zoning district are capped at Monument: 6 ft; Ground: 12 ft tall and 30 sq ft per face, with a Building must be set back at least 10 feet from street right-of-way setback (Sec. HMC 11.32.130(A)(1), (B)). Most commercial signs in Hillsboro require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hillsboro, Oregon
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hillsboro (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential (SFR-4.5, SFR-6, SFR-7, SFR-8.5, SFR-10, MFR-1, MFR-2, MFR-3, C-N, MU-N, SCR-DNC, SCR-HD, SCR-LD, SCR-MD, SCR-V, SCR-OTC, UC-RM) | 15 | Arterials: 20 ft; Collectors, >35 mph: 15 ft; All <35 mph: 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial/industrial (C-G, MU-C, I-G) | 12 | Minor: 20 ft; Major: 26 ft | Minor: 100 sq ft (single); 200 sq ft (double); Major: 130 sq ft (single); 260 sq ft (double) | — |
| Station community commercial (SCC-SC, SCC-MM, SCFI, SCC-DT, UC-MU, UC-AC, UC-NC, UC-OR) | 12 | Monument: 6 ft; Ground: 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Industrial park and research park (I-P, I-S, SC-BP, SCI, SSID, ESID, HSID, UC-RP) | 9 | 6 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — |
| Billboard (Sunset Highway billboard district, TV Highway billboard district) | 2 | Up to 45 ft (if zoned I-G) | 300 sq ft per face (may combine 2 to up to 700 sq ft total per sign via permit consolidation Option) | — |
| Tualatin Valley Highway Corridor | 1 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft per face (per sign) | — |
| Health & Education | 1 | — | 36 sq ft per face | — |
| Gordon Faber Recreation Complex | 8 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 30 in (intersection sign); see below for sidewalk. | Over roadway: 60 sq ft; on pole: 12 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hillsboro(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
Residential (SFR-4.5, SFR-6, SFR-7, SFR-8.5, SFR-10, MFR-1, MFR-2, MFR-3, C-N, MU-N, SCR-DNC, SCR-HD, SCR-LD, SCR-MD, SCR-V, SCR-OTC, UC-RM)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign (Multifamily Residential Developments) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face (double-faced) or 16 sq ft per face (single-faced, two allowed) | — | — | One double-faced or two single-faced per entrance; may be placed on each qualifying frontage. | On primary street frontage (vehicular entrance); per each frontage abutting arterial or collector if multiple frontages. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(1)(a), (B), (C) |
| Monument Sign (Subdivisions or PUDs with 20+ lots) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face | — | — | No more than two | Either side of public right-of-way or private street tract entrance. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(1)(b), (D)(2), (D)(3) |
| Monument Sign (Churches, Schools, Public/Semi-public, Community Centers) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face | — | — | One per frontage | On each facility frontage, not limited to one frontage if multiple frontages. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(1)(c) |
| Monument/Ground-mounted Sign (Commercial/Office - C-N zone) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft per face | — | — | One per primary frontage | Primary frontage. Each qualifying frontage abutting TSP arterial/collector. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(1)(d), (C) |
| Ground-mounted Sign (Mixed Use-Stn. Community Residential; 200+ ft frontage arterial/collector or neighborhood route) | Arterials: 20 ft; Collectors, >35 mph: 15 ft; All <35 mph: 12 ft | 40 sq ft per face | Arterials: 6 ft; Collectors, >35 mph: 5 ft; All <35 mph: 4 ft | — | One per qualifying frontage (art/col/NH route) | Street frontage on arterial/collector or qualifying neighborhood route. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(1)(e), (B) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Uses in SCR districts) | — | Primary: 8%/50 sq ft; Secondary: 6%/25 sq ft | — | — | One per tenant per frontage | Building frontages; primary and secondary differentiated. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(3)(a), (C) |
| Wall Sign (Churches, Schools, Public/Semi-public) | — | Primary: 8%/50 sq ft; Secondary: 6%/25 sq ft | — | — | One per building frontage | Each building frontage | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(3)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial/office C-N zone) | — | Primary: 12%/100 sq ft; Secondary: 8%/50 sq ft | — | — | 2 on primary, 1 on secondary | Building frontages | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.110(A)(3)(c), (C) |
Commercial/industrial (C-G, MU-C, I-G)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses) | Monument: 6 ft; Ground: 12 ft | 40 sq ft per face | — | — | One per lot along primary frontage; plus others for qualifying frontages. | Primary street frontage, or multiple frontages abutting arterial/collector. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(1),(B),(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Major/Minor Business Complex) | Minor: 20 ft; Major: 26 ft | Minor: 100 sq ft (single); 200 sq ft (double); Major: 130 sq ft (single); 260 sq ft (double) | — | — | Major: one on each qualifying frontage; Minor: one for entire complex | See comprehensive sign plan. | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.240(D,E) |
| Monument Sign (Minor/Major Business Complex, Pad Sites) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (single), 64 sq ft (double) | — | — | One per pad/lot | At pad or lot frontage within complex | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.240(D)(2), (E)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Principal Uses) | — | Primary: 8%/120 or 199 sq ft; Secondary: 6%/60 sq ft | — | — | — | Building elevations (frontages) | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(3); 11.32.120(A)(9) |
| Awning Sign (Principal Uses) | — | Primary: 12%/120 sq ft; Secondary: 8%/60 sq ft | — | — | — | Awnings on frontages | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(4) |
| Projecting Sign (Principal Uses) | — | 20 sq ft per projecting sign; total area with wall signs max 12%. | — | — | — | Building frontage | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(10) |
| Roof Sign (Option, Principal Uses) | Not above roof ridge | 8% roof elevation or 120 sq ft max | — | — | One, replaces wall/projecting | On gabled, hipped, mansard or sloped roof | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(11) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Principal, Monument/Ground only) | — | 50% of monument/ground sign area | — | — | One per site | Incorporated into monument/ground sign | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.120(A)(8); 11.32.230 |
Station community commercial (SCC-SC, SCC-MM, SCFI, SCC-DT, UC-MU, UC-AC, UC-NC, UC-OR)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument or Ground-mounted Sign (Principal Uses) | Monument: 6 ft; Ground: 12 ft | 30 sq ft per face | — | Building must be set back at least 10 feet from street right-of-way | One per lot along each qualifying frontage | Primary street or per qualifying street frontage | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(1), (B) |
| Monument Sign (multifamily residential property developments) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face | — | — | One double- or two single-faced per entrance | Primary frontage abutting arterial/collector | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(1)(c) |
| Pole Sign (Major/Minor Business Complex) | — | — | — | — | See sign plan | Per comprehensive sign plan | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (SCC-DT Option) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying building | Building façade, SCC-DT only, in lieu of wall signs | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(5) |
| Suspended Sign (public r-o-w, under awning/canopy) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per principal use | Public right-of-way, under awning/canopy | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(6) |
| Bulletin Board (Churches, Schools, Public, Theaters) | — | 24 sq ft per face (church/school/public); Theater: up to 120 sq ft (marquee) | — | — | One per facility/theater | Monument or marquee | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(7) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Principal Use, Monument/Ground only) | — | 35% of monument/ground sign area | — | — | One per site | Incorporated into monument/ground sign | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(9) |
| Roof Sign (Principal Use, Option) | Cannot exceed roof ridge | 8%/120 sq ft max | — | — | One, in lieu of other building signs | Sloped roof | — | Unlock | HMC 11.32.130(A)(11) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Hillsboro — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Hillsboro — start freeProhibited Signs in Hillsboro
- No person may erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, or maintain a sign, or cause or allow the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the sign code except as provided in the exemptions.
- No person may erect, construct, or alter a sign, or allow the same to be done, unless the appropriate sign permit has been issued by the city, except as provided in the exemptions.
- A person may not erect or construct a sign on a site that contains unlawful signs.
- The sign code will not be construed to allow any sign related activity otherwise in violation of local, state, or federal law. Where regulatory conflict exists, the stricter standard applies.
- Abandoned signs are unlawful.
- Video signs are unlawful.
- Non-public signs that, by reason of size, shape, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or that obscure the view of an officially sanctioned traffic control device are unlawful.
- Signs or supporting structures constructed in such a manner or at such a location that access to a fire escape, window, doorway, or other means of ingress or egress from a building may be obstructed are unlawful.
- Signs erected or maintained so as to obstruct any building opening to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced below the minimum requirements under local or state law are unlawful.
- Signs located in a manner that may impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any street, sidewalk, bikeway, or other travel way except as provided under the code are unlawful.
- Signs equipped with moving, rotating, or otherwise animated parts, except for tri-vision signs and athletic scoreboards, are unlawful.
- Signs that are wholly or partially illuminated by a flashing or intermittent light source are unlawful. Rotary beacon, zip, strobe, or similar lights may not be erected, maintained, attached to, or otherwise incorporated in a sign.
- Non-public signs within the vision clearance area under provisions contained in the zoning code are unlawful.
- Signs attached to trees, plants, fences or utility poles, unless specifically authorized, are unlawful.
- Signs within or over a public right-of-way or on public property without permission (unless specifically exempted) or on private property less than two feet from any area subject to vehicular travel are unlawful.
- Temporary or portable signs, except as authorized, are unlawful.
- No person other than the owner or person in charge of the property may remove, deface, destroy, or otherwise interfere with posted signs indicating 'no solicitors' or similar notices.
- No person may willfully deface or tear down any city, county, state, or federal notice, bulletin, sign, or signal posted or placed in conformity with the law.
Exempt Signs in Hillsboro
- Signs placed inside a building and either not, or not intended to be, visible from outside the building.
- Signs required by local, state, or federal law or administrative or judicial order and erected by public employees performing official duties.
- Signs approved through the Hillsboro Public Art Program administered by the city parks and recreation department.
- Signs cut into the surface or facade of a building or constructed of stone, masonry, bronze, or other noncombustible material, projecting no more than two inches and not exceeding eight square feet in area.
- On property with a single-family residence or duplex: up to five non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated signs per property (with additional per street frontage), area and placement restrictions apply.
- Up to three flags per property.
- Vehicle signs.
- Signs upon a bus or light rail vehicle owned by a public transit district.
- Historical or landmark signs.
- Seasonal decorations on private property.
- Handheld signs.
- Signs with an area up to six square feet within a parking lot for purposes such as traffic direction.
- Signs under six feet in height and not exceeding eight square feet in area placed on property where there is a danger to the public or to which public access is prohibited and which are not in a vision clearance area.
- Non-illuminated interior signs in non-residential sign districts designed primarily to be viewed from a sidewalk or street, provided they do not obscure more than 25% of an individual window.
- Illuminated interior signs in certain sign districts and designed to be viewed from a sidewalk or street, provided sign area is less than four square feet.
- One suspended sign per principal use attached under a first floor awning or canopy, up to six square feet in area, with specific clearance.
- Exterior signs at property features (entrance/exit/restroom/office/telephone), up to four square feet in area.
- Signs located within a sports stadium, athletic field, or other outdoor assembly area oriented towards and intended for viewing by persons inside the facility.
- Signs incorporated into vending machines or gasoline pumps.
- Temporary and portable signs, except as otherwise regulated under the code.
- Public signs.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hillsboro
- A comprehensive sign plan is required for all major business complexes. It may be submitted for minor business complexes, industrial and research business complexes, and institutional uses. The plan must be filed simultaneous to any applications for sign permits on the same property.
- An automobile service station sign plan is required for all automobile service stations. The sign plan application must be filed at the same time as the sign permit application.
- In station community planning area zones (with development reviewed by concept development plan [CDP] and detailed development plan [DDP]), a comprehensive sign plan must be included with conceptual site documentation and reviewed/approved by the planning commission as part of the CDP / DDP process.
- An application for a comprehensive sign plan must include sign locations, descriptions, itemization of sizes, and location of temporary sign areas.
- Applications for adjustments to sign standards (e.g., height, area, location) require a public hearing.
- If a sign is related to a new development that requires review under the zoning code, the sign permit application will be reviewed during the development review process.
Source: ecode360 municipal code