# Sign Regulations in Scio, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Scio, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/scio
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OR/Scio/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH22OFMIPR_ARTVIIIGASA_S22-235SI)

## At a glance

Scio, Oregon regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Free-standing Signs in the Commercial Zone (C-1), Industrial Zone (LI) zoning district are capped at 22 ft overall height; 14 ft min clearance in driveway/parking/loading area tall and 150 sq ft (one face), 200 sq ft (two faces), with a At least 10 ft from residential zone boundary; In LI, may be between ROW and front yard setback setback (Sec. Sec. 5.650.B.1, Sec. 5.630). Most commercial signs in Scio require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone (R-1, R-2) | 3 | 6 ft (freestanding); wall signs must not extend above the roof line or top of a parapet wall | 32 sq ft or 3 sq ft per dwelling unit, whichever is less (for primary sign); 10 sq ft bulletin board (conditional use); 64 sq ft (entry sign for parks/subdivisions) | — |
| Commercial Zone (C-1), Industrial Zone (LI) | 8 | 22 ft overall height; 14 ft min clearance in driveway/parking/loading area | 150 sq ft (one face), 200 sq ft (two faces) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 3 ft if ground mounted | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Complex/Development Sign (apartment, condominium, subdivision, manufactured home park, recreational vehicle park, home occupation or conditional use) | 6 ft (freestanding); wall signs must not extend above the roof line or top of a parapet wall | 32 sq ft or 3 sq ft per dwelling unit, whichever is less (for primary sign); 10 sq ft bulletin board (conditional use); 64 sq ft (entry sign for parks/subdivisions) | — | — | 1 per vehicular entry for subdivisions/manufactured home parks/RV parks | On premises, not in vision clearance area; entry signs at vehicular entry | — | Sec. 5.650.A.1, Sec. 5.640.A, Sec. 5.630 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to dwelling or accessory structure | — | Sec. 5.650.A.2, Sec. 5.400.F |
| Public/Community Historic or Scenery Depiction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, not to extend over street. | — | Sec. 5.650.A.5 |

### Commercial Zone (C-1), Industrial Zone (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing Sign | 22 ft overall height; 14 ft min clearance in driveway/parking/loading area | 150 sq ft (one face), 200 sq ft (two faces) | — | At least 10 ft from residential zone boundary; In LI, may be between ROW and front yard setback | 1 per premises (C-1), 1 per driveway entry (LI) | On premises, not over property line or within 10 ft of a residential zone; in LI zone: one per driveway entry, between ROW and front yard setback | — | Sec. 5.650.B.1, Sec. 5.630 |
| Wall-mounted Sign | Not above roof line at wall or parapet wall top, whichever is higher | 30% of area of building face to which attached; no explicit limit on number as long as area requirement met | — | — | No explicit limit (limited by area formula) | On face of building | — | Sec. 5.650.B.2 |
| Wall-painted Sign | Not above roof line at wall or parapet wall top, whichever is higher | Up to 100% of one face, max 30% of total of all faces | — | — | No explicit limit (limited by area formula) | On building wall (painted, C-1 and LI zones only) | — | Sec. 5.650.B.2 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above roof line/parapet; min 8 ft clearance below sign; | 20% of building face area (or 30% if combined with wall signs) | — | — | — | Projecting from building; extends more than 9 inches from wall; not over street | — | Sec. 5.650.B.3 |
| Fence Sign | — | 1 sq ft per 5 ft of fence length | — | — | — | On fence | — | Sec. 5.650.B.6, Sec. 5.640.A.12 |
| Off-premises Sign | — | 32 sq ft (all faces) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Vacant C-1/LI premises, one per street frontage | — | Sec. 5.650.B.8 |
| Subdivision/Residential Complex/Manufactured Home Park Sign | 6 ft (freestanding); wall signs not above roofline/parapet | 3 sq ft per dwelling unit, not to exceed 32 sq ft (main sign); 64 sq ft for entry sign for parks/subdivisions | — | — | 1 per vehicular entry for parks/subdivisions | On premises, not in vision clearance area or right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.650.B.9, refers to Sec. 5.650.A |
| Changing/Moving Signs (Electronic, Flashing, Revolving, Electronic Message Center, etc.) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.650.B.7 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempted Sign (Small Permanent) | 3 ft if ground mounted | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.640.A.1 |
| Exempted Temporary Sign (Residential) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.640.A.2 |
| Exempted Temporary Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.640.A.2 |
| Exempted Public Direction/Safety Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May be placed in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.640.A.3 |
| Exempted Holiday Decorative Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.640.A.4, Sec. 5.640.A.10, Sec. 5.640.A.11 |
| Exempted Historical or Legal Carved/Integral Building Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Integrated/carved into building materials | — | Sec. 5.640.A.7 |
| Exempted Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Sec. 5.640.A.9 |
| Exempted Fence Sign (Athletic Event/internal event only) | — | — | — | — | — | Inside fence at athletic event | — | Sec. 5.640.A.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Scio

- It is unlawful to erect, display, or maintain any sign erected within the right-of-way of any street, along any driveway, or in any other locations which do not meet the requirements of section 5.640.A.3, or that are likely to be confused with a traffic control device or create a distracting or hazardous condition for motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as permitted under section 5.640.A.2.
- No sign may be erected or maintained which, by use of lights, illumination, sequential illumination, or other form of total or partial illumination, creates an unduly distracting or hazardous condition to a motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian.
- No sign or portion thereof shall be placed so that it obstructs any fire escape, stairway, standpipe, or fire hydrant; interferes with human exit through any window above the first floor; obstructs any door or required exit from any building; or obstructs any required light or ventilation.
- Fence signs exceeding one square foot of sign face per 20 feet of fence length in residential zones or one square foot per five feet in commercial or industrial zones are prohibited, except as specified for temporary sale/lease signs and internal fence signs for athletic event advertising.
- Affixing signs to power, utility, or traffic control poles is prohibited except for city-approved traffic control signs and pole identification placards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Scio

- Signs not exceeding three square feet in area, nonilluminated, and not exceeding three feet in height if ground-mounted (e.g. property address, names of occupants, professional nameplates, on-site directional).
- Temporary signs that are nonilluminated, not permanently installed, with an overall face area not exceeding 16 square feet in residential zones or 32 square feet in commercial/industrial zones, displayed for short durations (e.g. real estate, political, construction, garage sale signs, special event signs) and only posted during the activity.
- Signs placed for purposes of public direction and safety, including traffic/municipal signs, directional signs for emergency services, legal notices, and danger signals; these may be placed within the public right-of-way if not a safety hazard.
- Temporary display of lights or decorations associated with holidays for a period not exceeding 60 days.
- Banners in public rights-of-way intended to advertise or promote the community or events, subject to approval by the City Manager and ODOT if along Highway 226.
- Flags.
- Signs carved into a building or made of materials integral to the building, like cornerstones or building names.
- Signs of public or legal notice.
- Window signs.
- Painted or printed temporary window displays associated with holidays.
- Promotional displays for special events, displayed for no more than 14 days.
- Fence signs located on the inside of a fence used for athletic event advertising.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs erected after the effective date of this ordinance, other than exempt signs, require a sign permit; all applications must be submitted to the zoning/building official.
- No building permit shall be issued until plans are presented that show property that is and will remain available for exclusive use as off-street parking and loading space (this appears under parking, but could relate to sign plans if included in larger site/building plans).
- Signs subject to conditional use review (certain moving, flashing, or electronic signs and off-premises signs under some circumstances) require review and approval under the conditional use permit process and may require submission to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) if adjacent to Highway 226.
- There is no explicit requirement for a Master Sign Plan or special sign plan for multi-tenant or large developments, but individual sign permits are required except for exempted signs.
- Permits become null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days or is suspended/abandoned for more than 90 days; restarting requires a new permit.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Scio, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Scio+OR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-scio

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