# Sign Regulations in Sherwood, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sherwood, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/sherwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OR/Sherwood/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT16ZOCODECO_DIVVCODE_CH16.100GESIPR)

## At a glance

Sherwood, Oregon regulates 13 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Public/Semi-Public Uses)s in the VLDR, LDR, MDRL, Residential Zones zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 36 square feet per sign face, with a 15 feet from property lines adjacent to public streets setback (Sec. 16.101.030.A.1.b). Most commercial signs in Sherwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| VLDR, LDR, MDRL, Residential Zones | 7 | 24 inches | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| Commercial Zones, Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Office Commercial (OC), Retail Commercial (RC), General Commercial (GC) | 6 | 24 inches | 250 square feet | — |
| General Industrial (GI), Light Industrial (LI), Industrial Zones | 6 | 24 inches | 250 square feet | — |
| Institutional Public (IP), Institutional and Public zones | 5 | 24 inches | 100 square feet across max 2 signs (150 sq ft if building is on property with arterial/collector and set back at least 100 ft) | — |
| Old Town Overlay District | 1 | — | 7 square feet per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### VLDR, LDR, MDRL, Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Public/Semi-Public Uses) | — | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 wall sign per elevation, up to 2 elevations | Flat against building face | — | 16.101.030.A.1.a |
| Freestanding Sign (Public/Semi-Public Uses) | 6 feet | 36 square feet per sign face | — | 15 feet from property lines adjacent to public streets | 1 per street frontage | Minimum setback of 15 feet from property lines adjacent to public streets | — | 16.101.030.A.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Family Dwelling Development) | 6 feet | 36 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | 16.101.030.A.2.a |
| Monument Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | 16.101.030.A.3.a |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 square feet per tax lot | — | — | 1 per tax lot | — | — | 16.102.050.C.2.a |
| Temporary Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet per side | 3 feet | — | 1 per lot, up to 2 if property fronts more than one street or >300 ft frontage | — | — | 16.102.030.A.1, 3, 4 |
| Portable Sign | 24 inches | 18 x 24 inches per sign face, maximum 24 inches in height | 18 inches per sign face | — | Up to 4 per lot; 1 every 50 feet for over one acre with nonresidential use | — | — | 16.102.040.A.1, 5 |

### Commercial Zones, Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Office Commercial (OC), Retail Commercial (RC), General Commercial (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet normally, up to 20 feet for column sign in specified locations (see additional requirements) | 36 square feet per sign face; up to 100 sq ft for commercial center; up to 150 sq ft for commercial plaza in specified locations | — | Outside public right-of-way. Must comply with Clear Vision Area requirements. | 1 per street frontage, additional sign for >300 ft frontage | Outside public right-of-way; minimum setback applies in some circumstances | — | 16.101.030.B.1.a-e |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 square feet | — | — | — | On wall of building, including or within 1 foot of display windows | — | 16.101.030.B.2 |
| Projecting Sign | No more than 3 feet above roof line at wall or top of parapet wall | Not specified explicitly but total wall and projecting sign area per 16.101.030.B.2 | — | — | 1 per store front; +1 awning sign | Perpendicular to storefront; cannot project to within 2 feet of curb or beyond 5 feet from the building | — | 16.101.030.B.3 |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Firmly attached to building | — | 16.102.050.C.1.a-b |
| Temporary Sign | 8.5 feet | 32 square feet per side | 4 feet | — | 1 per lot, up to 2 if property fronts more than one street or >300 ft frontage | — | — | 16.102.030.A.2-4 |
| Portable Sign | 24 inches | 18 x 24 inches per sign face, maximum 24 inches in height | 18 inches per sign face | — | 1 per business | — | — | 16.102.040.A.2, 5 |

### Institutional Public (IP), Institutional and Public zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 square feet across max 2 signs (150 sq ft if building is on property with arterial/collector and set back at least 100 ft) | — | — | Max 2 | Up to 2 wall signs, max of 2 building elevations | — | 16.101.030.D.1.a-b |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 36 square feet per sign face | — | 15 feet from property lines adjacent to public streets | 1 per street frontage | Minimum setback of 15 feet from property lines adjacent to public streets | — | 16.101.030.D.2.a |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Firmly attached to building | — | 16.102.050.C.1.a-b |
| Portable Sign | 24 inches | 18 x 24 inches per sign face, maximum 24 inches in height | 18 inches per sign face | — | One every 50 feet | — | — | 16.102.040.A.3 |
| Temporary Sign | 8.5 feet | 32 square feet per side | 4 feet | — | 1 per lot, up to 2 if property fronts more than one street or >300 ft frontage | — | — | 16.102.030.A.2-4 |

## Prohibited signs in Sherwood

- No sign shall be constructed, erected or maintained in violation of the maintenance provisions of the sign code; all signs and sign structures must withstand wind, seismic and other loads as specified in the Uniform Building Code.
- No sign shall substantially obstruct free and clear vision along streets, or interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic signal or device.
- No sign shall use words, phrases, symbols or characters such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger' or any other similar that interfere with or mislead motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists.
- No sign or supporting structure shall cover or obstruct access to fire escapes, exit doorways, windows, or other means of egress in a manner that substantially limits emergency access.
- Rotating or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs, exposed reflective bulbs, strobe lights, rotary beacons, par spots, zip lights and similar devices are prohibited.
- No exposed incandescent lamp which exceeds 25 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign as to expose the face of such bulb or lamp to a public street.
- Any sign that, through the use of moving structural elements, flashing or sequential lights or other automated method, results in movement, the appearance of movement or change of sign image or message is prohibited (except static illumination changes at no more than once every 30 seconds).
- Pole signs over six feet in height are prohibited.
- Signs on unimproved (vacant) property are prohibited, unless allowed as portable or temporary signs under the applicable chapter.
- Permanent residential development signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Feather signs are prohibited.
- Flags are prohibited except as specifically provided in permit exemptions.
- Signs shall not be illuminated and may not include pennant strings, balloons, streamers, spinners, propellers, search lights, or other items that involve motion to attract attention, except as otherwise allowed.
- Signs shall not be placed on private property without the express permission of the property owner.
- Signs shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- Artificial plants are prohibited in any required landscaped area (for landscaped sign bases or related landscaping).
- Snipe signs (any sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences or other objects) are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sherwood

- Traffic signs installed per the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and other federal, state and local regulations.
- Changes to the copy of a legally erected, painted or printed advertising sign, theater marquee or similar sign specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy, not altering the dimensions of the sign.
- On-site painting, repainting, cleaning and normal maintenance and repair of a sign.
- Construction site signs up to 32 square feet, accessory to a construction site, provided they are removed within 30 days from date of final occupancy permit or within two years, whichever is less.
- Portable/temporary signs allowed as per the temporary/portable sign chapter.
- Public utility signs and other signs required by law.
- Signs on private property 3 square feet or less per sign face and under 3 feet tall when freestanding and installed to be readable only on private property.
- Flags on private property, up to 2 flags or 24 square feet in residential zones and up to 4 flags or 120 square feet in nonresidential zones (subject to pole height and location limits).
- Public notice signs as required by law or code.
- Signs approved in association with a City of Sherwood Special Event Permit.
- Public-necessity signs such as safety and instructional signs for public facilities, parks, or City-sponsored events, installed by or with City permission.
- Over-right-of-way banner signs (i.e., specific banners placed over the right-of-way with agency approval).
- Banner signs not visible from a public street.
- City-owned permanent signs are exempt.
- Portable signs located in the Old Town Overlay District, subject to specific requirements.
- Signs located within 50 feet or more from the curb/edge of pavement in rights-of-way that extend more than 50 feet, with authorization from the entity with jurisdiction.
- Signs exempted from the permit requirement do not require a permanent sign permit but must comply with other applicable standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Most permanent signs (unless exempt per 16.101.010.C) require an administrative sign permit from the City prior to construction, installation, alteration or relocation.
- An application for a sign permit must include applicant and property owner information, scaled drawings of the sign, a plot plan, and contractor details.
- Permitted illuminated signs are subject to State Electrical Code and applicable permit fees.
- Exempt signs listed in 16.101.010.C do not require a sign permit but must still meet all other applicable provisions.
- Banner signs (except those exempted) require a permit and a Type I administrative review; permits are valid for 30 days and may be reissued up to three times per year per property.
- Permanent signs require compliance with nonconforming sign rules; nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance within five years of adoption or permitted structural change/redevelopment (subject to listed exemptions).
- Master sign plans are not specifically mentioned; sign permits are required for permanent signs unless exempt.
- If a sign is required as part of a development or site plan, approval is typically obtained in conjunction with overall project review.
- City may remove signs erected or maintained in violation of these chapters after 90 days' written notice if not brought into compliance or removed by the owner.

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

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