# Sign Regulations in Springfield, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Springfield, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/springfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-22
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/44420669#44420669)

## At a glance

Springfield, Oregon regulates 58 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Sign - Major Entrances in the RiverBend Development District zoning district are capped at 16 ft tall, Lettering 60 sq ft per side; structure max 16 ft high x 70 ft long x 5 ft wide, and 5 ft wide (Sec. 8.268(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Springfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 7 | 20 ft | Up to 80 sq ft combined (max 3 signs) | — |
| Historic Overlay District | 4 | 20 ft | 8 sq ft (collector/arterial) or 4 sq ft (local); double-sided: 16 sq ft or 8 sq ft respectively | — |
| General Office | 3 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft (1 face), 200 sq ft (2+ faces) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC District) | 2 | 20 ft | 40 sq ft (1 face), 80 sq ft (2+ faces) | — |
| Community Commercial District (CC District), Major Retail Commercial District (MRC District) | 3 | 20 ft | 350 sq ft for all faces (max 4 signs) | — |
| Downtown Sign District | 9 | 12 ft (post/pole mounted; 8 ft min clearance) or 5 ft (monument) | 80 sq ft (1 face), 160 sq ft (2+ faces) | — |
| Booth Kelly Sign District | 3 | 30 ft (to bottom of sign) | 200 sq ft per business | — |
| I-5 Mall District | 8 | 50 ft | Total 1,000 sq ft; no single sign >400 sq ft | — |
| I-5 Commercial Sign District | 4 | 65 ft (must be installed at least 30 ft from grade to bottom of sign) | Max 350 sq ft (all faces; max 4 signs) | — |
| Light-Medium Industrial District, Special Heavy Industrial District | 3 | 30 ft | 350 sq ft for all faces (max 4 signs) | — |
| Billboard District | 1 | Installed at least 16 ft, max 30 ft to bottom of sign (45 ft at interchanges: I-105/I-5) | Max 14 ft x 48 ft (672 sq ft) or 10 ft x 30 ft (300 sq ft) per face | — |
| Public Land and Open Space District | 2 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft combined (max 3 signs) | — |
| Special Light Industrial District | 4 | 6 ft | 150 sq ft all faces (max 3 signs) | — |
| Sports Facility Sign District | 4 | 10 ft | 400 sq ft total; no sign >100 sq ft | — |
| RiverBend Development District | 6 | 16 ft | Lettering 60 sq ft per side; structure max 16 ft high x 70 ft long x 5 ft wide | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 12 inches | Max 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Home Occupation | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Single-family or duplex dwellings with permitted home occupation | — | 8.240(1) |
| Wall Sign - Multifamily/Facility/Complex | 20 ft | 8 sq ft (1 face) or 16 sq ft (total) | — | — | 1 per public vehicular entrance | At each public vehicular entrance | — | 8.240(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multifamily/Facility/Complex | 5 ft | 8 sq ft (1 face) or 16 sq ft (total) | — | — | 1 per public vehicular entrance | At each public vehicular entrance | — | 8.240(2) |
| Wall Sign - Non-Residential Professional Office | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property (plus one extra for detached building) | On property | — | 8.240(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Non-Residential Professional Office | 8 ft | 16 sq ft (1 face); 32 sq ft (total) | — | — | 1 per property | On property | — | 8.240(3) |
| Wall Sign - Institutional Use | 8 ft | Up to 80 sq ft combined (max 3 signs) | — | — | Max 3 per property, plus one extra for detached buildings | On property | — | 8.240(4) |
| Freestanding Sign - Institutional Use | 8 ft | Up to 40 sq ft combined (max 2 signs) | — | — | Max 2 per property | On property | — | 8.240(4) |

### I-5 Mall District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Primary Entrance | — | Total 1,000 sq ft; no single sign >400 sq ft | — | — | — | At each primary entrance | — | 8.254(1), (6) |
| Freestanding Sign - I-5 Abutting (Property >20 acres) | 50 ft | 700 sq ft (1 face); 1,400 sq ft (2+ faces) | — | — | 1 per qualifying property | Property >20 acres, closest to I-5 | — | 8.254(2)(a), (6) |
| Freestanding Sign - Property >20 acres, secondary | 30 ft | 400 sq ft (1 face); 800 sq ft (2+ faces) | — | — | 1 (other than I-5 abutting sign) | Property >20 acres | — | 8.254(2)(a), (6) |
| Freestanding Sign - Each Vehicular Entrance | 20 ft | 25 sq ft (all faces) | — | — | One per vehicular entrance | At each vehicular entrance | — | 8.254(2)(b), (6) |
| Wall Sign - Anchor Tenant | — | 200 sq ft per principal building face | — | — | 1 per principal face | Each principal face of anchor tenant | — | 8.254(3), (6) |
| Wall Sign - Second Story Business | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | Second story business | — | 8.254(4), (6) |
| Wall Sign - Tenants 20,000-49,999 sq ft | — | 100 sq ft per building face | — | — | 1 per principal face | Each principal face of tenant | — | 8.254(5), (6) |
| Wall Sign - Additional Mall Wall Signs | — | No more than 100 sq ft per sign; 1,200 sq ft combined | — | — | Max 12 | Exterior mall wall | — | 8.254(6) |

### RiverBend Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Street Address ID only | — | — | — | — | — | Building(s) | — | 8.268(1) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign - Major Entrances | 16 ft | Lettering 60 sq ft per side; structure max 16 ft high x 70 ft long x 5 ft wide | 5 ft | — | 2 per entrance | Each approved vehicular entrance from MLK Jr. Parkway | — | 8.268(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Additional | 10 ft | Lettering 45 sq ft per side; structure max 10 ft high x 7 ft long x 3 ft wide | 3 ft | — | 1 | Additional allowed sign | — | 8.268(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - For each additional building | 7 ft | Lettering 30 sq ft per side; structure max 7 ft high x 12 ft long x 4 ft wide | 4 ft | — | 2 per building | At each additional building | — | 8.268(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Additional | 9 ft | Lettering 50 sq ft per side; structure max 9 ft high x 40 ft long x 4 ft wide | 4 ft | — | 1 | One additional at owner design. location | — | 8.268(2)(d) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign - Other | 16 ft | Lettering 16 sq ft per side; structure max 16 ft high x 5 ft long x 3 ft wide | 3 ft | — | 2 | At location designated by owner | — | 8.268(2)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Springfield

- No sign or sign structure shall be installed within a public utility easement.
- No sign or sign structure shall be installed within a five-foot setback from the property line.
- No sign shall be located within the vision clearance area as defined in the Springfield Development Code.
- All signs shall be located entirely on private property unless they are located in the downtown sign district where projection over the right-of-way is permitted with the appropriate insurance requirements.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe.
- No sign shall obstruct any openings to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced below code requirements.
- No sign shall project within two feet of the curb line.
- The minimum clearance of all signs projecting over any portion of a vehicle use area shall be 16 feet.
- No sign or sign structure shall be installed within a public utility easement.
- No person shall erect, construct, alter or relocate any sign unless a permit has been obtained from the building official except as specified in section 8.234 (Exempt Signs).
- No sign shall be illuminated or use lighting where such lighting is directed at any portion of a traveled street or will otherwise cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.
- Portable signs are prohibited unless allowed as per exemption or with a temporary sign permit.
- Rotating or flashing signs are prohibited (except approved electronic reader boards).
- Signs emitting audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs attached to any tree or public utility pole are prohibited.
- Signs viewable from the exterior of the property are not allowed to be attached to exterior fencing.
- Signs in the public right-of-way not authorized by a government agency are prohibited.
- Any sign blocking or creating confusion with a traffic control device is prohibited.
- Signs placed on or painted on a motor vehicle, trailer or manufactured home which is parked to provide additional signage not otherwise permitted are prohibited.
- All signs must comply with the design, wind, and seismic load standards set in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code and all other referenced codes.
- All signs must comply with material and anchorage standards of the code.
- No banner or sign as defined in section 3.223(1) may be placed in, upon, over or under the public right-of-way without a permit.
- Banners or signs placed in the public right-of-way must not create a hazard or interfere with pedestrian and/or vehicular travel.
- The shape, colors and appearance of banners or signs in the public right-of-way must not be similar to any traffic control device.

## Signs exempt from permit in Springfield

- 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 the addition of electrical wiring.
- Government signs required to be constructed, placed or maintained by government or to enforce a property owner's rights, and all signs erected by a public employee in the performance of a public duty.
- Under marquee signs attached to the underside of a marquee, within size restrictions.
- One sign with a sign face no larger than three square feet may be located on a property at any time.
- One temporary sign not larger than 32 square feet per face may be located on a property for a specific period around an election.
- Certain temporary wall signs and freestanding signs (with square footage and setback limitations) when a property is for sale or lease under specified conditions.
- One temporary sign with a sign face no larger than three square feet for residential property open to the public, limited days and occasions per year.
- Two temporary signs no larger than 32 square feet each during permitted construction activity.
- Signs (permanently or temporarily) attached to interior of a window or exterior door, or applied with paint/adhesive vinyl, in areas outside Downtown Sign District.
- Signs located within a stadium or athletic field intended for viewing primarily by persons within the stadium.
- Invisible signs intended primarily for interior viewing and not for public way or adjacent properties (subject to approval for outside locations).
- Neighborhood watch, drug free zone, business alert, and safe place signs located solely on private property, meeting area and placement requirements.
- Drive-up signs for drive-up transactions, subject to size, height, and location limits; up to two by exempt status.
- Parking lot signs for accessible parking and towing zones, meeting area and height requirements, and being permanently attached.
- Murals on walls in commercial, public land, or industrial zones.
- Special event signs allowed as part of an approved city special event license.
- A-frame (sandwich board) signs: up to two per business (non-residential), size and placement restrictions, on private property where practicable or per right-of-way and ADA guidelines, and only during business hours.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No reference to a master sign plan requirement or special sign plan in this excerpt.
- Sign permit applications require submittal of a scaled plot plan, photographs, elevation drawings for wall signs, and detailed descriptions of materials and attachment systems (Section 8.218).
- For freestanding or projecting signs over 20 feet in height, plans drawn by a registered engineer are required (Section 8.218(1)(d)).
- If the application is for a billboard, an approved Oregon state permit is required prior to erection (Section 8.218(1)(f)).
- Those wishing to erect a sign that is larger than authorized by this sign code or that is otherwise nonconforming may apply for a modification permit or variance (Section 8.238), which entails additional review.
- Historic District: Addition or alteration of a sign in the Historic Overlay District is reviewed by the historic commission during major or minor alteration to a historic landmark structure (Section 8.242).
- Alternative materials, designs, or methods of construction not prescribed by code require approval by the building official with a record of findings (Section 8.214).
- A separate electrical permit may be required for sign service equipment (Section 8.218).

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

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