# Sign Regulations in Joseph, Oregon

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

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

## At a glance

Joseph, Oregon regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sandwich Board Sign (Public Right-of-Way, Adjacent Business)s in the Commercial Zone zoning district are capped at 48 inches tall and 36 inches wide, with a Minimum 5 feet of unobstructed width on sidewalk must remain. setback (Sec. §151.05(E)(1)(b), (E)(2), §151.08). Most commercial signs in Joseph require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone | 8 | 48 inches | 18 square feet maximum overhang into public right-of-way (perpendicular sign) | — |
| Residential Zone (R-1, R-2) | 3 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overhanging Sign (Auxiliary Street) | — | 18 square feet maximum overhang into public right-of-way (perpendicular sign) | — | — | 1 per business | One overhanging sign per business facing auxiliary (east-west) streets, safely attached to a structure outside the public right-of-way. | — | §151.05(I)(2), §151.08, §151.05(H), §151.03 |
| Freestanding Sandwich Board Sign (Public Right-of-Way, Adjacent Business) | 48 inches | — | 36 inches | Minimum 5 feet of unobstructed width on sidewalk must remain. | 1 per business | In public right-of-way adjacent to building during business hours. | — | §151.05(E)(1)(b), (E)(2), §151.08 |
| Freestanding Sandwich Board Sign (Community Event) | 48 inches | — | 36 inches | Minimum 5 feet of unobstructed width on sidewalk must remain. | 1 per event | In public right-of-way up to 6 hours before and during the event. | — | §151.05(E)(1)(a), (E)(2), §151.08 |
| Freestanding Sign (Adjoining State Right-of-Way) | — | — | — | Minimum 12 inches from edge of sidewalk. | — | Between property line and adjoining public sidewalk, not overhanging sidewalk and at least 12 inches from sidewalk edge nearest property line. | — | §151.05(I)(3),(4), §151.08 |
| Wall Sign (Roof Extension) | No more than 16 inches above the lowest point of the roof; not to exceed maximum building height. | — | — | — | — | On exterior of building. | — | §151.05(H), §151.03 |
| Portable Sign (Public Right-of-Way) | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way | — | §151.05(E) |
| Bench Sign | — | — | — | Must allow a minimum of 5 feet unobstructed sidewalk. | — | Only on benches in public right-of-way if specifically authorized by city; not to infringe on 5 feet unobstructed sidewalk. | — | §151.05(G) |
| Illuminated/Flashing/Moving Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 10-foot setback for non-auxiliary streets. | — | Commercial Zone, auxiliary streets or businesses set back 10 feet or more from public right-of-way. | — | §151.05(D) |

### Residential Zone (R-1, R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | On property being leased, sold, or rented. | — | §156.056(A) |
| Temporary Subdivision/Tract Sale Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per tract/subdivision | Per tract of land or subdivision advertising sale. | — | §156.056(B) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On private property. | — | §156.056(C) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §151.08, §151.03 |

## Prohibited signs in Joseph

- Any sign that obstructs the clear vision of any motor vehicle operator.
- Any sign that interferes with, misleads, disrupts or confuses any motor vehicle operator, such as signs that contain the words “stop”, “look” or “danger”.
- Any sign that impedes travel on any pedestrian or vehicular travel surface.
- Any sign with flashing, moving or animated lights, letters or visuals, except as permitted by specific exceptions for auxiliary streets and setback businesses.
- Portable signs within the public right-of-way, except as specifically exempted.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way if less than five feet of unobstructed width in the immediately adjacent public sidewalk remains, or if the sign will obstruct any fire hydrant, access ramp or other site-specific public improvement.
- No sign placed or maintained in the public right-of-way shall be more than 48 inches high or 36 inches wide.
- Signs permitted in the public right-of-way must be professionally prepared.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within 60 days of closure or relocation of business, unless the business name and sign are for sale along with the business.
- No bench signs shall be permitted in any public right-of-way, except on benches authorized by the city in writing.
- No signs shall extend above the lowest point of the roof of the building to which they are attached, except as allowed (lesser of maximum building height limit or 16 inches above lowest point of roof).
- Overhanging signs which are less than eight feet vertically from the surface of the public right-of-way or extend more than six feet over the public right-of-way.
- No signs shall be placed in planter boxes.

## Signs exempt from permit in Joseph

- One freestanding sandwich board sign permitted in the public right-of-way to advertise community interest events sponsored by public or non-profit entities, during the period starting six hours before the event and ending at its conclusion (or each day’s portion for multi-day events).
- One freestanding sandwich board sign permitted in the public right-of-way to advertise a lawful use conducted in a building immediately adjacent, during periods when the use is in operation.
- Commemorative plaques are allowed on city-sanctioned artwork.
- Banners, windsocks, 'open' flags, federal, state and county flags may be displayed, provided they are at least seven feet above the public walkway, no closer than four feet to a vertical line extended from the curb, and are taken down at the close of each business day (unless lights and proper flag etiquette for federal/state/county flags are followed).
- Flower or plant containers, decorative items, and seasonal decorations are allowed if they are attached to/abutting the business property and permit a five-foot minimum right-of-way.
- Lawful uses conducted in buildings fronting auxiliary streets may have one certain overhanging sign meeting listed requirements.
- Lawful uses in buildings adjoining the state right-of-way may erect a freestanding sign in the space between the property line and public sidewalk, provided it does not overhang the sidewalk and is not closer than 12 inches to the sidewalk perimeter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for any and all sidewalk use or operations involving personal property, merchandise, or signs placed upon sidewalks. Application requires submission of specific information and proof of insurance, but there is no mention of a required master sign plan or variance meeting.
- There is no reference to a master sign plan or sign plan requirement in the ordinance text provided; permitting is handled on a per-sign or per-activity basis via city permit application.

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

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