# Sign Regulations in Umatilla, Oregon

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Umatilla, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/umatilla
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Umatilla, Oregon regulates 16 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Principal Sign (Flush, Projecting, or Freestanding)s in the Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones zoning district are capped at 20 ft. (freestanding signs) tall and 100 sq. ft., with a See 8-2A-13C (minimum clearance, projection limits, not closer than 2 ft. to curb or traveled surface) setback (Sec. 8-2A-11A; 8-2A-12; 8-2A-13A; 8-2A-13C).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones | 3 | 8 ft. | As permitted in section 8-2A-10 | — |
| Community Services Overlay Zones | 1 | 8 ft. (top of freestanding sign) | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones | 10 | 20 ft. (freestanding signs) | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Residential: 2 sq. ft.; Shopping Center: 25% of building front; Commercial/Industrial: 50% of building front; Community Services: 48 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Flush Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Flush mounted on home | — | 8-2A-9A; 8-2A-13H |
| Community Service Sign | — | As permitted in section 8-2A-10 | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | 8-2A-9B; 8-2A-10 |
| Flush or Freestanding Sign (Multi-Family Complex) | 8 ft. | 4-8 units: 12 sq. ft.; 9-15 units: 24 sq. ft.; 16-24 units: 32 sq. ft.; 25+ units: 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per complex | On site | — | 8-2A-9C |

### Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Sign (Flush, Projecting, or Freestanding) | 20 ft. (freestanding signs) | 100 sq. ft. | — | See 8-2A-13C (minimum clearance, projection limits, not closer than 2 ft. to curb or traveled surface) | 1 principal sign per premises | On premises, major street frontage | — | 8-2A-11A; 8-2A-12; 8-2A-13A; 8-2A-13C |
| Secondary Principal Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft. | As allowed for principal sign | — | — | 1 secondary principal sign per premises where eligible | On premises where building is set back per 8-2A-13B | — | 8-2A-11B; 8-2A-13B |
| Wall Sign (Commercial) | Not above roof eaves | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On exterior building wall | — | 8-2A-11C; 8-2A-13D |
| Freestanding or Projecting Sign (Commercial) | 20 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Must comply with projection and minimum setback from curb/traveled surface per 8-2A-13C | — | On premises | — | 8-2A-11C, D; 8-2A-13C |
| Roof Sign (Low Profile Building Only) | 12 ft. from sidewalk grade | — | — | — | — | On roof of low profile building | — | 8-2A-13F |
| Secondary Marquee Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 7.5 ft. clearance | — | Under canopy or flush in alley; min. 7.5' clearance | — | 8-2A-13G |
| Service Station Island Sign | 12 ft. (price sign on pole) | 4 sq. ft. per pump island; 32 sq. ft. for price sign on pole | — | — | One price sign per premise, 4 sq.ft. per pump island | At pump island or attached to pole | — | 8-2A-13J |
| Secondary Street Frontage Flush Sign | — | Commercial/Industrial: 50% of building front max; Shopping Center: 25% of building front max | — | — | — | On secondary frontage wall | — | 8-2A-13L; 8-2A-13D1b,c |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush Sign | — | Residential: 2 sq. ft.; Shopping Center: 25% of building front; Commercial/Industrial: 50% of building front; Community Services: 48 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Face of building, marquee, canopy, or roof overhang, not projecting more than 12 inches. | — | 8-2A-13D |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Min 8' clearance from sidewalk/grade, more for greater projection; see 8-2A-13C | — | Projecting from building face | — | 8-2A-13C |

## Prohibited signs in Umatilla

- No sign shall bear or contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
- No sign shall extend or be erected above the roof line of the building to which it is attached, except as specifically allowed.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that creates confusion with or interferes with the effectiveness of traffic signs or signals.
- No sign shall be placed on, affixed to, or painted on a motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer and placed on property for the primary purpose of providing a sign not otherwise permitted (exception for garage sale signs).
- No private sign may be placed on, painted on, or affixed to any utility pole, tree, or rock.
- No sign shall be located in a residential zone except for those specifically designated as allowed.
- No sign shall, by use of lights or illumination, create an unduly distracting or hazardous condition to motorists or pedestrians.
- Graffiti is prohibited as a form of sign.
- No sign may be in violation of any provision of the sign ordinance.
- No person may attach or cause to be attached an advertisement, bill, placard, poster, or sign upon real or personal public property without proper authority.
- No person may letter, mark, or paint any letters, marks, or signs on sidewalks, curbs, streets, or alleys, or post anything to prohibit or restrict parking except by city council resolution.
- No person may erect, maintain, or use, nor permit the erection, maintenance, or use of any sign not conforming to the provisions of the article.

## Signs exempt from permit in Umatilla

- Official or traffic signs, including those identifying public buildings or uses or erected by a public officer performing an official duty.
- Directional signs erected by public authority.
- Warning signs erected to warn the public of a danger or to limit access (with specified size limits).
- Permanent building identification signs (with size limits and subject to location restrictions).
- Building or house numbers (with size limits).
- Name signs denoting the name of the owner or occupant (limited in size).
- Temporary political campaign signs (with size, placement, and timing restrictions).
- Temporary nonprofit signs for civic, charitable, or benevolent events (subject to same requirements as other temporary promotional signs).
- Flags of the United States, State of Oregon, foreign countries, United Nations, or civic/fraternal/veterans/charitable organizations.
- Christmas or seasonal decorations as customarily used.
- Street banners approved by the City Administrator advertising a public entertainment or event (with conditions).
- Signs located inside a building unless the sign violates watt capacity standards or is located in a residential zone.
- Benches with advertising thereon if approved by the Planning Commission.
- Nonilluminated directional and motor vehicle directional signs (with specified size/height limits).
- Temporary 'for sale', 'open house', or subdivision signs (with specified size and placement restrictions).
- Temporary signs used for promotional purposes (with timing and other restrictions).
- Permanent political, ideological, or religious signs that do not advertise a product or service for sale (subject to general size and location regulations).
- Murals mounted or painted on a building or structure that do not advertise a product or service for sale.
- Historic landmark signs erected by the City or the owner of a historic building or in accordance with an official historic designation.
- Community interest signs, temporary or permanent, identified by the City, promoting community events, public parks, or points of interest.
- Garage sale signs (one per premises, limited in size).
- Building directory signs (permitted in shopping centers and multi-tenant buildings).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- If a group of signs is to be erected on the same building at the same time, each sign requires a separate permit.
- Districts of special control may be established by the Planning Commission to allow for variance in sign sizes, types, heights, etc.; approval of such a district requires the submission of a plan showing all new sign arrangements and a petition of all property owners, which must be approved by the Planning Commission and then by City Council before taking effect.
- Variance requests (e.g., for departure from the regular requirements) must be reviewed and acted upon by the Planning Commission through a formal hearing and approval process.

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

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