# Sign Regulations in Tualatin, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tualatin, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/tualatin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OR/Tualatin/codes/Development_Code?nodeId=THDECOTUOR_CH38SIRE)

## At a glance

Tualatin, Oregon regulates 44 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Residential Low Density (RL) Planning District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 18 sq ft, with a Max 30 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. TDC 38.140(2)(b)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Low Density (RL) Planning District | 8 | 15 ft | 75 sq ft (per sign), 300 sq ft (special east wall high school only) | — |
| Residential Medium to Low Density (RML) Planning District, Residential Medium to High Density (RMH) Planning District, Residential High Density (RH) Planning District | 6 | 5 ft | 18 sq ft | — |
| Residential High Density/High Rise (RH/HR) Planning District | 4 | 5 ft | 18 sq ft | — |
| Office Commercial (CO) Planning District, Mid-Rise Office Commercial (CO/MR) Planning District | 6 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (CN) Planning District | 2 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Recreation Commercial (CR) Planning District | 5 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Central Commercial (CC) Planning District, General Commercial (CG) Planning District | 9 | Height of canopy fascia (if signage on top, calculated as 16 in high * fascia length) | 48 sq ft; Major Commercial Center up to 100 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Commercial (MUC) Planning District | 10 | Awning/canopy: no higher than their height; Marquee (on fascia): height of fascia; Marquee sign on top: 16 in (Option: 36 in) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Medical Center (MC) Planning District | 6 | 14 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Manufacturing (ML) Planning District, General Manufacturing (MG) Planning District, Manufacturing Park (MP) Planning District, Basalt Creek Employment (BCE) Planning District | 3 | 10 ft | Up to 150 sq ft | — |
| Institutional (IN) Planning District | 4 | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 9 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Residential Low Density (RL) Planning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 5 ft | 18 sq ft | — | — | One per public street entry | On private property at subdivision entrance or on private tract median island within public right-of-way | — | TDC 38.110(15), TDC 38.140(1-2)(a) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 1 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | No more than one per dwelling unit | Inside a window in a dwelling unit | — | TDC 38.110(11), TDC 38.140(1-2)(a) |
| Public Transit Shelter Sign | 2 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | Up to two per shelter (one per wall, two walls) | On wall or in window of transit shelter | — | TDC 38.110(14), TDC 38.140(1-2)(a) |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 18 sq ft | — | Max 30 ft from right-of-way | One per frontage | No greater than 30 ft from property line along public street right-of-way | — | TDC 38.140(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign | Height of sign band | 16 sq ft (one sign), 8 sq ft (others) | — | — | One per 2,000+ sq ft building | On building wall | — | TDC 38.140(2)(c) |
| Pole Sign (School Site Option) | 15 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | One per school site | Elementary school readerboards on arterial or collector only | — | TDC 38.140(2)(d) |
| Monument Sign (Electronic Message for Public High School Option) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 30 ft from arterial, 100 ft from residential | One per high school site | Within 30 ft of arterial right-of-way, at least 100 ft from residential property | — | TDC 38.140(2)(e) |
| Wall Sign (Public School Option) | Height of sign band; one up to 10 ft (east wall primary bldg high school only), otherwise 5 ft | 75 sq ft (per sign), 300 sq ft (special east wall high school only) | — | — | One per elevation | On each elevation | — | TDC 38.140(2)(f) |

### Central Commercial (CC) Planning District, General Commercial (CG) Planning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft; Major Commercial Center up to 10 ft | 40 sq ft; Major Commercial Center up to 55 sq ft | — | Max 30 ft from right-of-way | 1 (typ), up to 2 if conditions met | No greater than 30 ft from property line along public street right-of-way | — | TDC 38.220(1)(a) |
| Monument Sign (Major Commercial Center Additional Buildings) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 150 ft from other additionals, 100 ft from main | One per additional building up to 4 | At least 150 ft from other additional; 100 ft from other monument/pole signs | — | TDC 38.220(1)(b) |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft; Major Commercial Center up to 20 ft | 48 sq ft; Major Commercial Center up to 100 sq ft | — | — | Varies; Major Commercial Center limited to one pole sign | In place of monument sign, only on Collector or Local Street; Major Commercial Center limited to one pole sign | — | TDC 38.220(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Standard) | Up to 4 ft sign face; letters/numbers max 2 ft (<4000 sq ft wall); up to 4 ft for all for >=4000 sq ft. If sign area < 50% max, sign height may be doubled (logos etc. up to 5 ft) | See formula | — | — | See above | On owned or leased wall | — | TDC 38.220(1)(d) |
| Directory-style Wall Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 16 in from building wall | — | One per occupied space | Primary sign band or in place of 2nd floor tenant sign | — | TDC 38.220(2)(a) |
| Shingle/Blade Sign | Shingle: 3 ft; Blade: 10 ft | 24 sq ft | Blade: extends max 4 ft from wall | — | One per eligible wall | Shingle: underside of awning, canopy, etc; Blade: attached to wall | — | TDC 38.220(2)(b) |
| 2nd Floor Tenant Wall Sign | 3 ft (letters/numbers max 2 ft; logo up to 3 ft) | 40 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per building | 2nd floor or above wall | — | TDC 38.220(2)(c) |
| Small Projecting Sign | 1.5 ft | 4.5 sq ft | 3 ft | — | One per wall | On wall or underside of awning/canopy | — | TDC 38.220(2)(e) |

### Mixed Use Commercial (MUC) Planning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Max 30 ft from right-of-way | One per lot (two for corner/through if requirements met) | No greater than 30 ft from property line along public street right-of-way | — | TDC 38.225(1)(a) |
| Project Sign | 8 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Max 60 ft from right-of-way | One per project | At intersection of two public streets no greater than 60 ft from property line | — | TDC 38.225(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign | 10 ft sign face; letters/numbers max 5 ft (excludes logos/graphics) | See formula | — | — | See above | On owned/leased wall | — | TDC 38.225(1)(c) |
| Wall Mounted Plaque Sign | 2 ft | 4 sq ft (not included in wall sign total) | — | — | One per customer entry | To the side of a customer entry area, may be flush, inset, or up to 1 in from wall; not necessarily in sign band | — | TDC 38.225(1)(d) |
| Shingle/Blade Sign | Shingle: 3 ft; Blade: 10 ft (see Option: up to 16 ft) | 16 sq ft (see Option: up to 40 sq ft for certain tenants) | Blade: extend max 4 ft from wall | — | One per wall (some tenants up to two; see restrictions) | Blade: attached to wall; Shingle: under awning/canopy/marquee/overhang | — | TDC 38.225(1)(e, k) |
| Inlaid Floor Sign | Not above walkway/floor surface | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per customer entry | In floor at customer entry area (private property) | — | TDC 38.225(1)(f) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | Awning/canopy: no higher than their height; Marquee (on fascia): height of fascia; Marquee sign on top: 16 in (Option: 36 in) | Up to 35% of each awning/canopy/fascia; all awnings/canopies/marquees on a wall, no more than 40 sq ft. Marquee top: 16 in height x front/side length (Option: 36 in for some marquee) | — | — | No limit if within area | On awning/canopy (façade); Marquee: on fascia or on top of fascia | — | TDC 38.225(1)(h, k) |
| Directional Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side | — | At least 60 ft from public right-of-way if not screened | Up to 4 per aisle/intersection | Permanent pole/monument sign; at least 60 ft from right-of-way unless 100% screened (then within 60 ft allowed); may be on fence/wall | — | TDC 38.225(1)(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Tualatin

- A sign not specifically permitted by this Chapter, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 33 (Applications) for approved sign variances and Chapter 35 (Nonconforming Situations) for legal nonconforming signs.
- A sign required to have been issued a sign permit, but for which no sign permit has been issued.
- Any sign which is erected and fails to comply with sign regulations.
- A-frame (sandwich board) sign, except as otherwise provided in TDC 38.110(12), Lawn Signs.
- Abandoned sign.
- Animated sign.
- Balloons (including children's balloons and balloons inflated by blown, pumped or forced air); blimps, festoon lighting, inflatable signs, pennants and streamers.
- Bench sign or a sign on other furniture.
- Fin sign; flashing sign.
- Indirect illuminated signs which direct light into residential districts.
- Obscene sign.
- Obstructing sign.
- Portable sign, except as otherwise provided in TDC 38.110(5) and (12) for temporary banners and lawn signs, respectively.
- Readerboard sign, mechanical or electronic, except as otherwise provided in TDC 38.110(9)(k) and 38.225(1)(j) for directory signs, 38.140(2)(b) and (2)(d)(vii), 38.150(5)(b), 38.160(2)(b), 38.170(2)(b) and 38.180(2)(b) for schools and churches, 38.240(1)(a)(vii) for schools for kindergarten through 12, and 38.220(1)(c)(viii) and 38.220(1)(d)(vii) for cinemas, theaters and churches.
- Electronic message display sign or changing image sign, except as otherwise provided in TDC 38.140(2)(e) for a public high school located on a School District property in the RL Planning District with an area of 40 acres or greater.
- Roof sign.
- Rotating, revolving or moving signs.
- Search lights, beacons or strobe lights.
- Shingle/blade signs, except as otherwise provided in TDC 38.230(1)(b)(vii), 38.220(1)(d)(viii) and 38.225(1).
- Signs attached to trees.
- Snipe signs and nonpublic signs attached to or mounted on objects within the public right-of-way, such as on utility poles.
- Signs attached to or located on a stationary vehicle or trailer which is visible from a public right-of-way or parking lot or other area accessible to the public, and intended primarily for display of the sign.
- Signs resembling official traffic signs or signals, for example signs stating "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger" and "warning," except officially authorized or installed by the City of Tualatin, State of Oregon or Washington or Clackamas County.
- Signs with visible incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes or signs with a visible immediate source of illumination, except neon. The erection or placement on any exterior portion of a building or structure of incandescent or fluorescent illumination is prohibited, except incandescent bulbs of less than 15 watts during the period November 1 through January 10.
- Signs which have lost their status as legal signs either due to alteration, modification, relocation or replacement without first obtaining a sign permit when a sign permit is required.
- Signs associated with illegal uses according to the provisions of the Tualatin Development Code or decisions on applications made pursuant to the Tualatin Development Code.
- Signs which constitute a public nuisance.
- Unsafe signs.
- Signs which incorporate flames or emit sounds or odors.
- Electrical signs whose electricity is provided by any means except underground wiring.
- Signs supported in whole or in part by cables or guy wires or which have cables or guy wires extending to or from them.
- Permanent signs on a property with no building.
- Permanent signs on a building with no occupants.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tualatin

- Signs authorized and installed by Clean Water Services or public utilities, such as electricity, natural gas, telephone and cable television, which are directly related to utility facilities in the public right-of-way and easements, and which aid public safety, identify the location of underground or aboveground facilities, or assist the public utility in repairing or maintaining its facilities. Signs erected for office uses, storage yards and other primary activities of the agency or company are not exempt.
- Signs erected by the City of Tualatin or the Tualatin Development Commission.
- Signs and traffic control devices erected by the State of Oregon or the counties of Washington or Clackamas in the public right-of-way or public easements for traffic control, traffic safety or public works construction purposes.
- Signs not legible from public rights-of-way or from outdoor areas open to the public, such as parking lots, outdoor hallways and pass-throughs.
- Signs inside a building, except window signs.
- Signs affixed to vehicles where the communicative purpose is incidental to the use as a vehicle.
- Garage sale signs, erected in accordance with Ordinance No. 554-81, as amended.
- Street addresses.
- "Neighborhood Watch" and "Block Home" signs.
- City-awarded plaques related to historic resources and heritage trees.
- "No parking," "handicapped/disabled parking" and "car pool/van pool" signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A separate sign permit application shall be submitted for each sign erected, constructed, modified, relocated, replaced, face changed or structurally altered and for sign repair that includes these activities. Sign maintenance requires no permit. All proposed work on a sign shall be shown in the sign permit application. (TDC 38.060(3))
- Except as provided for exempt signs and certain specific sign types, no person shall erect, construct, modify, relocate, use or replace a sign, change a sign face, or alter a sign or sign structure unless a sign permit and any required building permit and electrical permit have been issued. (TDC 38.060(1))
- When required by the Oregon Building Code or the Building Official, a separate building permit must be obtained from the City for the erection, construction, modification, relocation, replacement, change of sign face or alteration of a sign or sign structure. (TDC 38.060(4))
- When required by the State Electrical Code or the Building Official, an electrical permit shall be obtained from the issuing authority before connecting an electrical sign to a source of electricity. (TDC 38.060(5))
- The City Manager may require a sign permit application be submitted for each sign on a property required to have a permit if no permit for such sign has been previously issued. (TDC 38.060(7))
- No sign or building permits shall be issued for new freestanding monument or pole signs (including Service Station signs), or transition of a nonconforming freestanding sign, until plans for the proposed sign have been approved pursuant to Sign Design Review. (TDC 38.075(3))
- Level 1 (Clear and Objective) Sign Design Review is required for certain new freestanding monument or pole signs and for transitions of nonconforming signs in specified districts. (TDC 38.075(2)-(3))
- Sign bands shall be designated for each building by the building/property owner as part of the first sign permit application for that building after the effective date of this ordinance. (TDC 38.110(3)(a)(i))

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

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