# Sign Regulations in Ontario, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ontario, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/ontario
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OR/Ontario/codes/Planning_and_Zoning_Development_Standards?nodeId=TIT10ASUZORE_CH10A-03DE_10A-03-191SI)

## At a glance

Ontario, Oregon regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. General Exempt Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Sandwich board: 4 ft (see below); Ground sign: 5 ft for multifamily ID; 6 ft for subdivision ID tall, Varies per type, e.g. name plate 2.5 sq ft, real estate 1 sign per lot, warning sign any necessary size, picket sign 16 sq ft, sandwich board 12 sq ft per side, and Sandwich board: 3 ft wide, with a where applicable, maintain vision clearance standards. setback (Sec. 10A-57-160 through 10A-57-190). Most commercial signs in Ontario require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Signs not to obstruct above 30 inches within vision clearance triangle unless sign is at least 8 ft above grade and supports do not obstruct. | 100 sq ft | — |
| Central Commercial Zone (C-3) | 7 | 18 ft above sidewalk or finish grade | 12 sq ft per side | — |
| Commercial Zones (C zones) | 5 | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — |
| Industrial Zones | 3 | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached flat against dwelling | — | 10A-57-25(10) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft for portable signs | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way, vision clearance triangle, or on public property; only on private property. | — | 10A-57-118 |
| Vision Clearance Obstructions | Signs not to obstruct above 30 inches within vision clearance triangle unless sign is at least 8 ft above grade and supports do not obstruct. | — | — | No obstruction over 30 inches unless mounted 8 feet or more above the ground with minimum support | — | Within vision clearance triangle at street corners (triangle defined by 50 ft from corner) | — | 10A-57-15 |
| General Exempt Signs | Sandwich board: 4 ft (see below); Ground sign: 5 ft for multifamily ID; 6 ft for subdivision ID | Varies per type, e.g. name plate 2.5 sq ft, real estate 1 sign per lot, warning sign any necessary size, picket sign 16 sq ft, sandwich board 12 sq ft per side | Sandwich board: 3 ft | Holiday: 5 ft from all lot boundaries, and must maintain vision clearance (10A-57-165); General: where applicable, maintain vision clearance standards. | Varies | Per sign type; see various (sandwich boards only in commercial/industrial on sidewalk 10 ft+ wide or private property) | — | 10A-57-160 through 10A-57-190 |

### Central Commercial Zone (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 18 ft above sidewalk or finish grade | — | — | — | — | On street-facing building walls | — | 10A-57-195(2) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Interior face of windows (ground, upper stories) | — | 10A-57-195(1) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning/canopy valance or fascia | — | 10A-57-195(3) |
| Blade or Projecting Sign | Single story: top not above wall; Multi-story: top not above avg. second-story window sill | — | 3 ft signboard | — | — | Perpendicular to face, on building facade | — | 10A-57-195(4) |
| Marquee/Canopy Underhang Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Under marquee/canopy above sidewalk | — | 10A-57-123 |
| Barber Pole | — | — | — | — | — | On building facing sidewalk | — | 10A-57-187 |
| Portable Sandwich Board | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | On sidewalk at least 10 ft wide, or private property | — | 10A-57-185 |

### Commercial Zones (C zones)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall facing street | — | 10A-57-105, 10A-57-120, 10A-57-134 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning/canopy valance or fascia | — | 10A-57-210(2), 10A-57-195(3) |
| Portable Sandwich Board | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | On sidewalk at least 10 ft wide, or on private property | — | 10A-57-185 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Display windows facing street or interior | — | 10A-57-176, 10A-57-177 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building face, may project over right-of-way with approval | — | 10A-57-116, 10A-57-117 |

## Prohibited signs in Ontario

- No sign shall project higher than the height limit of the zone in which it is located.
- No sign shall project into or be located in any required yard space or setback space except as specifically allowed by the provisions of the zone.
- Signs painted on a vehicle or trailer and not used for transportation by the owner or person in control of the property shall be considered as accessory uses and must follow accessory use rules.
- Signs hanging under a marquee may not extend lower than seven feet above a sidewalk and must be attached according to the structural provisions of the Uniform Sign Code.
- A sign or advertising device may not be erected or maintained if it interferes with, imitates, or resembles any official traffic control sign, signal or device, or attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic, including any part of a sign with an arrow that simulates a sign that directs street traffic.
- Strong lights that simulate an emergency light, such as a strobe or revolving beacon light, are prohibited regardless of association with advertising or not.
- A sign or device may not prevent the driver of a motor vehicle from having a clear unobstructed view of official traffic control signs and approaching or merging traffic.
- Signs may not contain, include or be illuminated by any flashing, chasing, intermittent, revolving, rotating, or moving light which is likely to be a nuisance to traffic (except minor exceptions specified in the code for certain public service or on-premises information).
- Any sign lighting must be so effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the main traveled way of a State highway, and must be of such low intensity as not to cause glare or impair the vision of drivers, or otherwise interfere with traffic operation.
- Signs are prohibited if located upon a tree, or painted or drawn upon a rock or other natural feature.
- Signs advertising a business, profession, commodity, product, service, or entertainment no longer carried on, produced, sold, or offered are prohibited.
- Signs advertising illegal activities under any applicable State law are prohibited.
- Signs that are not maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition and in good repair are prohibited.
- Signs that are not able to withstand wind pressure as specified by the Uniform Sign Code are prohibited.
- Signs taller than the building height limit of the zone are prohibited.
- No temporary or portable sign shall be placed on public right-of-way or other public property nor within a vision clearance triangle, nor be an illegal sign.
- Temporary signs (unless otherwise provided) shall not exceed 100 sq ft, and rigid portable signs shall not exceed 32 sq ft or six feet in height, nor be fastened to the ground.
- Obstructions, including portable signs, merchandise, or vehicles for sale, are prohibited in vision clearance areas.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ontario

- Construction signs, meeting duration, placement, and removal requirements.
- Directional or institutional signs that do not advertise a business (e.g., restrooms, telephones, parking entrance/exit signs).
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of any national, political subdivision, or corporation.
- Governmental signs for control of traffic or other regulatory purposes, or public service company signs indicating danger, erected by public officials.
- Holiday decorations/signs of a primarily decorative nature, displayed for no more than 60 consecutive days/year and set back five feet from all lot boundaries, with vision clearance maintained.
- House numbers and name plates (may have subdued lighting).
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way.
- No trespassing or no dumping signs (limited to four per lot, maximum 1.5 sq ft each, with additional allowed by Planning Official under special circumstances).
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or inlaid as part of the building.
- Occupant signs (one per dwelling unit) indicating occupant's name or location/professional office, unless further limited by zoning.
- Plaques or nameplates not more than 2.5 sq ft fastened directly to a building.
- Public notices posted by public officials in the performance of duties.
- Public signs required or specifically authorized by any law, statute, or ordinance, of any type, number, size, height, location, illumination, or animation as required by that law/statute/ordinance.
- Real estate and open house signs (one per lot/parcel, to be removed within seven days of sale/rental/lease).
- Permanent and temporary window signs, except in residential zones.
- Signs in the display windows of a business incorporated in merchandise displays.
- Temporary signs (max 32 sq ft) for grand openings, drives, or events of civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, for up to 60 days.
- Warning signs alerting the public of danger, with no advertising, removed once the danger is over.
- Picket signs not exceeding 16 sq ft.
- Any sign oriented only to the property on which it is located and not visible from the public right-of-way.
- No permit required for change of copy, repainting, cleaning, or normal maintenance/repair of a permitted or legal non-conforming sign if not substantially altered.
- Garage sale signs complying with City Code provisions.
- A portable sandwich board not over 12 sq ft per side, not over 4 ft high × 3 ft wide, may be placed on sidewalks 10+ ft wide or on private property in commercial/industrial zones.
- Permanent identification signs for subdivisions (max 6 ft high, 48 sq ft) and signs on unsold subdivision lots (max 48 sq ft).
- For multi-family or public building/school/church: identification signs (max 5 ft high, 16 sq ft) may be placed in required yards.
- Signs painted on bus shelters or benches when franchised by the city.
- Ground sign (max five ft high, 24 sq ft) may be placed in required yard to identify a multi-family building or complex.
- Barber poles projecting up to 18 inches from a building onto a sidewalk in C-3 zone.
- A permit is not required for repainting, maintenance, or changing the copy of a permitted/legal sign, provided the sign is not substantially altered.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs must be installed and maintained as specified in the sign section, unless specifically modified by the provisions of a zone.
- Signs must conform to general provisions contained in the code and any specific requirement or limitation of the zone in which they are installed.
- When Zone or other code provisions conflict with the Uniform Sign Code regarding location, height, lighting, appearance, or other provisions, the provisions of this code prevail.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan, but the ordinance specifies that site plans showing the layout of required parking or loading facilities shall be a part of each application for a building permit, which may also include sign locations as part of overall site plans where required.
- Landscape plans submitted with permit applications must show locations and amounts of landscaping, and may include required signage locations depending on the nature of the permit.
- If a sign projects over a public right-of-way in zones other than C-3, approval of the City Council is required, with justification.
- Any variance or conditional use related to signage may be processed and reviewed under the city's established procedures for variances or conditional uses.

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

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