# Sign Regulations in Roseburg, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Roseburg, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/roseburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/43086336#43086336)

## At a glance

Roseburg, Oregon regulates 42 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Drive-Up Menu Boards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 40 square feet, with a Out of front yard setback setback (Sec. §12.08.020(C)(13)). Most commercial signs in Roseburg 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 | 15 | 12 inches | 60 square feet | — |
| Airport | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District | 7 | 20 feet or not above building wall | 32 square feet (one face), or 64 sq ft (two or more faces); 8 sq ft for additional wall sign for detached building | — |
| Public Reserve (PR), Limited Commercial (C1) | 3 | 20 feet | 50 sq ft per face (one face), 100 sq ft (two or more faces) | — |
| Community Commercial (C2) | 4 | 20 feet | 350 sq ft total for up to 4 wall signs | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 4 | 20 feet | 50 sq ft (one face) or 100 sq ft (two or more faces) | — |
| Professional Office (PO), General Commercial (C3), Mixed Use (MU), Light Industrial (M1), Medium Industrial (M2), Heavy Industrial (M3) | 4 | 25 feet | 350 sq ft total (up to 4 signs) | — |
| Historic District Overlay | 4 | 5 feet (freestanding), 20 feet (wall sign and not above building wall) | 8 sq ft (one face), 16 sq ft (two faces) | — |
| Freeway District | 2 | Min 30 feet, max 65 feet | 500 sq ft total | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under Marquee Sign | 12 inches | — | — | — | — | Attached to underside of marquee, minimum 8 feet above grade | — | §12.08.020(C)(4) |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per vehicle ingress/egress | Not in vision clearance area | — | §12.08.020(C)(6) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Use) | — | 8 square feet | — | 10 feet | Maximum two (one wall, one freestanding) | Set back minimum 10 feet from street | — | §12.08.020(C)(7) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial Use) | — | 20 square feet | — | 10 feet | Maximum two (one wall, one freestanding) | Set back minimum 10 feet from street | — | §12.08.020(C)(7) |
| Drive-Up Menu Board | 8 feet | 40 square feet | — | Out of front yard setback | Two exempt, additional by permit | Located out of front yard setback and positioned for viewing by drive-up customers | — | §12.08.020(C)(13) |
| Parking Lot Sign | 7 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | Based on parking for approved development | Permanently attached to building or secured in concrete on private property | — | §12.08.020(C)(14) |
| Portable Sign (Non-Residential Zones) | — | 6 square feet per face (2'x3') | — | — | 2 per business | On private property or in public right-of-way if not creating hazard | — | §12.08.020(C)(17) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | Comply with required setbacks | — | Completely on private property | — | §12.08.020(E)(3) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | 1 | Flat against wall | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily, Mobile Home, Daycare, Subdivision, Park, etc.) | 20 feet or not above building wall | 8 square feet (one face), or 16 square feet (two or more faces) | — | — | 1 per vehicular entrance | At each public vehicular entrance | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multifamily, Mobile Home, Daycare, Subdivision, Park, etc.) | 5 feet | 8 square feet (one face), or 16 square feet (two or more faces) | — | — | 1 per vehicular entrance | At each public vehicular entrance | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Professional Office Use in Residential District) | 8 feet | 16 square feet (main sign); 8 square feet (additional for detached building) | — | — | 1 wall sign per building (see details) | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Professional Office Use in Residential District) | 8 feet | 16 square feet (one face); 32 square feet (two or more faces) | — | — | 1 | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Religious Institutions) | 8 feet (main sign); 8 feet for detached building sign | 32 square feet (one face), or 64 sq ft (two or more faces); 8 sq ft for additional wall sign for detached building | — | — | 1 main wall sign + 1 per detached building | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Religious Institutions) | 8 feet | 32 square feet (one face), or 64 sq ft (two or more faces) | — | — | 2 | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(2)(d) |

### Professional Office (PO), General Commercial (C3), Mixed Use (MU), Light Industrial (M1), Medium Industrial (M2), Heavy Industrial (M3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Projecting Sign | 25 feet | 350 sq ft total (up to 4 signs) | — | — | 4 | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(3)(d)(i)-(ii), (vi) |
| Freestanding or Roof Sign | 25 feet | 100 sq ft (one face) or 200 sq ft (two or more faces) | — | — | 1 per development area | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(3)(d)(iii), (vi) |
| Directional Freestanding Sign (Development area >5 acres) | 25 feet | 200 sq ft (one face), 400 sq ft (two or more faces) | — | — | 1 per eligible area | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(3)(d)(iv) |
| Logo (PO, C3, MU, M1, M2, M3) | — | Combined with wall signs, total not to exceed 350 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §12.08.020(F)(3)(d)(v) |

## Prohibited signs in Roseburg

- No sign, writing, light or lighting shall be installed or used on the airport unless specifically provided by lease, permit or rule of the City Manager.
- No person shall post or place signs on or in public or private property in the City without required permits or owner consent.
- No person shall disobey the instructions of any traffic sign, signal, marker, barrier or parking meter placed in accordance with the law.
- No unauthorized person shall move, remove, alter, deface or tamper with any traffic sign, signal, marker, barrier or parking meter.
- Abandoned signs (those not used in conjunction with the business located on the premises for more than 90 days) are prohibited.
- Illegal signs (signs installed without the required permit, inspection approvals, or those improperly constructed) are prohibited.
- Any sign blocking or creating confusion with a traffic control device is prohibited.
- Motor vehicle signs (placed on or painted on a motor vehicle, trailer or manufactured home, parked for the purpose of providing additional signage) are prohibited.
- Rotating or flashing signs are prohibited, except approved electronic reader boards.
- Portable signs not permanently anchored to a building or the ground are prohibited unless approved under special permit.
- Posters (any sign attached to a tree or public utility pole) are prohibited.
- Any sign that emits an audible sound, odor or visible matter is prohibited.
- Any sign constructed of paper, cardboard, or unpainted/unstained plywood, or any other material not approved by code or official, is prohibited.
- No signs intended for exterior viewing shall be attached to exterior fencing.
- Signs within or projecting over a public right-of-way not authorized by a government agency are prohibited.
- No sign shall be illuminated or use lighting directed at any portion of a traveled street or such that it causes glare or impairs the vision of drivers.
- No sign or sign structure shall be installed within a public utility easement or right-of-way.
- No sign or sign structure shall be installed within a five-foot setback from the property line (with narrow exemptions).
- No sign shall be located within the clear vision area as defined in code.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected in a manner that interferes with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.
- No sign shall obstruct openings to such an extent that light or ventilation falls below required building code levels.
- No sign shall be illuminated such that the light source is directly visible from property in a residential zone adjacent to or across the street from the sign.
- Persons who post signs, with or without a permit, shall be liable for any damages resulting from their sign, or from exercising a permit.

## Signs exempt from permit in Roseburg

- Changing of copy or face change on signs specifically designed to allow for this, unless the sign face remains empty for a period of 90 days.
- Normal maintenance and repair of a sign structure or sign service equipment, not including structural changes, removal and replacement, copy changes, or addition of electrical wiring.
- Signs of a public nature, including all signs erected by a public employee in the performance of a duty, or placed in the public right-of-way by or with approval of a governmental agency.
- Under marquee signs (signs attached beneath marquees), provided they are a maximum of 12 inches in height, permanently attached, and at least 8 feet above grade.
- Home occupation signs (for approved home occupation businesses), if flat against the wall and not exceeding 1.5 square feet.
- Directional signs indicating traffic movement onto or within a premises, not exceeding six square feet and two and one-half feet in height (with restrictions).
- Real estate signs (two per property) within size and placement limitations.
- Election campaign signs on private property, subject to size and duration limits.
- Building construction signs as specified.
- Stadium signs (located within sports stadiums/athletic fields, for viewing within the stadium).
- Invisible signs (on-site informational signs meant to be visible only to customers once on property, reviewed and approved by the building official).
- Neighborhood Watch, Drug Free Zone, and Business Alert signs meeting location and size standards.
- Drive-up menu boards (up to two per drive-up, within size and placement limits).
- Parking lot signs for accessible parking and towing zones on private property, within size and height limits.
- Murals on a wall located in a commercial, public land, or industrial district.
- Special event/holiday signs as part of an approved city license or special event.
- Portable signs (each business in non-residential zones may place up to two on their property without a permit, if meeting specified conditions).
- Temporary signs as described in code.
- Temporary signs erected by or for the City for City sponsored events, authorized by the City, county, state or for a school district, utility company, or hospital for community events.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for all signs unless specifically exempted under Section 12.08.020(C).
- Permit applications must include two complete sets of plans, diagrams and other data, scaled plot plan, elevation drawings for wall signs, material descriptions, engineer's plans for signs over 20 feet, and photos of existing signage.
- A permit from the Public Works Director is required for all signs placed in the public way or on public property, in addition to any permits required by the Land Use and Development Regulations.
- Owner consent is required for all signs on private property, in addition to any land use/development permits.
- For billboards, the application must include an approved state permit (Oregon Motorists Information Act of 1971).
- If a business with existing non-conforming signs applies for new signs, permits may be issued only if the proposed and existing signs do not exceed the allowable number and types.
- Sign permits are issued only to licensed contractors, or property owners/designees for signs on their own property.
- Permit fees are set by City Council resolution; penalty fees apply if signs are erected without a permit.
- For signs projecting over public property, the applicant must provide public liability and property damage insurance policies.
- Sign applications must comply with other applicable codes, including National Electric Safety Code and Oregon Structural Specialty Code.
- Sign proposals within the Airport Overlay or visible to state highways require additional reviews/approvals (including ODOT review for state highway visibility).

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

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