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32.34.030 Additional Standards in Plan Districts.

City Code Section

(Amended by Ordinances 176469, 179092, 182072, 188959, 189805, 190477, and 191959, effective March 1, 2025.)

  1. Plan districts are shown on the Official Zoning Maps.
  2. A.  Central City plan district
    1. 1.  Signs in the Open Space Zone
      1. a. Purpose.  Signs in the Open Space zone are limited in keeping with the low intensity of most uses in the zone.  However, the more intense uses allowed in Central City plan district Open Space zones necessitate more visible signage.  These regulations are tailored to those uses.
      2. b. Sign standards.  The following regulations apply to sites in the Open Space zone.
        1. (1) The sign regulations of the CX zone apply to sites with allowed Major Event Entertainment and Commercial Outdoor Recreation uses.
        2. (2) The sign regulations of the RX zones apply to sites with allowed Retail Sales and Service uses.
    2. 2. Signs in the Rose Quarter Event Sign District
      1. a. Purpose. The sign regulations for the Rose Quarter Event Sign District support the district’s role in providing opportunities for public outdoor gatherings in the common spaces including when events are taking place inside the venues. The regulations provide flexibility for the number, size and placement of signs, while also protecting motorists on adjacent freeways and streets from the distraction of large and animated signs. The regulations for this sign district recognize the changing use of signs and sign technology as part of major event entertainment uses.
      2. b. Where these regulations apply. The regulations of this paragraph apply to signs within the boundary of the Rose Quarter Event Sign District shown on Map 6.
      3. c. Sign standard. Signs within the Rose Quarter Event Sign District are subject only to the following regulations. If there are no regulations for a particular type of sign, then that sign is allowed. For purposes of this Subsection, freeways are Regional Trafficways that are not also classified as Major City Traffic Streets by the Transportation Element of The Comprehensive Plan. The Regional Trafficways are the I-5, I-84, I-205, I-405 freeways, US Highway 30 between I-405 and NW Nicolai, and US Highway 26 west of the I-405 freeway:
        1. (1) All signs.All permanent and temporary signs must meet the registration and permit requirements in Chapter 32.62.
        2. (2) Maximum size allocation. The maximum amount of permanent signage in the sign district is limited to 40,000 square feet. The following signs are not included in this total:
          1. (a) Signs that do not require a sign permit;
          2. (b) Rooftop signs that are parallel to the roof surface; and
          3. (c) Temporary signs meeting Subsection (4) below.
        3. (3) Freestanding signs. The height limit for freestanding signs located within 50 feet of a right-of-way is 35-feet. The height limit applies to the total height of the combined sign face and sign structure.
        4. (4) Temporary signs. Temporary signs that meet the following are allowed for a period of up to 180 days in a calendar year. Signs meeting these standards are not subject to Design Review. Signs that do not meet the standards of this subsection are subject to the standards for permanent signs:
          1. (a) Temporary sign size limits. The following limits apply to temporary signs:
            1. (i) Temporary banners are limited to 500 square feet;
            2. (ii) Temporary fascia signs are limited to 100 square feet; and
            3. (iii) All other temporary signs are limited to 32 square feet.
          2. (b) Temporary signs may not have direct or internal illumination, unless the message or image is created by light projected onto a surface. A temporary sign can be illuminated by indirect lighting if the lighting is shielded and directed down to the ground. Changing image sign features and electronic elements are prohibited on temporary signs.
          3. (c) Temporary signs must be located outside the right-of-way.
          4. (d) Temporary balloon signs are prohibited.
        5. (5) Changing image signs.
          1. (a) Prohibition. Changing image signs are prohibited in the following locations:
            1. (i) Within 100 feet of a freeway right-of-way unless the entire changing image sign is beneath the level of the surface of the roadway.
            2. (ii) On a rooftop or projecting above the roof.
          2. (b) Standards for changing image elements within freestanding signs. Changing image signs that are part of freestanding signs located within 50 feet of a right-of-way that is not a freeway are limited to a maximum size for the changing image elements of 100 square feet and a maximum number of eight signs with changing image elements. There are no limitations on the size or number of changing image signs that are part of freestanding signs located more than 50 feet from a right-of-way that is not a freeway.
          3. (c) Duration. Changing image signs larger than 100 square feet may not be turned on between the hours of 12:00 am and 6:00 am. For events that end between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am, the changing image sign must be turned off no later than one hour after the event ends.
          4. (d) Brightness. Changing image signs visible to properties outside of the combined boundaries of this sign district and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum historic landmark are subject to the glare standard of Subsection 33.262.080.A.
        6. (6) Signs other than changing image signs adjacent to freeways. Signs that are within 100 feet of a freeway right-of-way and that face the freeway may not exceed 1,000 square feet in area. If the entire sign is beneath the level of the surface of the roadway, it is exempt from this standard.
        7. (7) Lighting. All indirect lighting of signs must be shielded and directed down to the ground.
        8. (8) Unless exempted above, all signs are required to meet the regulations of Portland City Code Chapter 33.420, Design overlay zone.
  3. B.  Columbia South Shore plan district
    1. 1.  Purpose.  Signs in this plan district should not dominate the landscape or compete with views of streetscapes, view corridors and natural resources.  Sign standards are intended to allow for signs to be visible to streets that abut the site, but not to interstate freeways and locations outside the district.  Businesses are encouraged to rely on monument signs to identify and communicate their presence.
    2. 2.  Where these regulations apply.  The regulations of this subsection apply to signs in the Columbia South Shore plan district.
    3. 3.  Sign standards.
      1. a.  Signs must conform to the sign standards of the CX zone as modified by the requirements of this subsection.  When they are more restrictive, the regulations of the base zone supersede the regulations of this subsection. Adjustments to this subsection are allowed only for the sign height on sites more than 10 feet below the level of the surface of the adjacent roadway.  All other sign adjustments are prohibited.
      2. b.  The following signs are prohibited:
        1. (1)  Freestanding signs, except monument signs, temporary freestanding signs, and directional signs;
        2. (2)  Changing image signs; and
        3. (3)  Awning signs with illumination internal to the awning.
      3. c.  Monument signs.  One monument sign is allowed per street frontage.  Monument signs are allowed to a maximum height of 6 feet above the adjacent sidewalk and a maximum of 10 feet in length.  The end width of the monument structure may not exceed 2 1/2 feet.  Signage may be located on two parallel monument faces.
      4. d.  Signs along Marine Drive.  Signs are prohibited within 200 feet of the toe of the levee slope, except for directional signs.  Between 200 and 500 feet from toe of the levee slope, signs that face Marine Drive are limited to 1/2 square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of building wall, with a maximum sign area of 100 square feet.
  4. C.  Hillsdale plan district.
    1. 1.  Where this regulation applies.  The regulation of this subsection applies to signs in the Hillsdale plan district.
    2. 2.  Sign standard.  Portable signs are prohibited in the right-of-way in the Hillsdale Plan District.
  5. D.  Macadam plan district
    1. 1.  Where these regulations apply.  The regulations of this subsection apply to signs in the Macadam plan district.
    2. 2.  Standards.
      1. a.  Freestanding signs are limited to 1/2 square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of arterial street frontage.  Signs attached to buildings, marquees, or other structures are limited to 1/2 square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of primary building wall.  Maximum sign face area is 100 square feet.
      2. b.  The maximum height of a freestanding sign is 15 feet.
      3. c.  Changing image sign features are prohibited.
  6. E.  Portland International Raceway plan district
    1. 1.  Where these regulations apply.  The regulations of this subsection apply to signs in the Portland International Raceway (PIR) plan district.
    2. 2.  Standard.  Signs must conform to the sign program of an approved PIR Master Plan.  See Chapter 33.564, Portland International Raceway Plan District.
  7. F.  South Auditorium plan district
    1. 1.  Where these regulations apply.  The regulations of this subsection apply to the South Auditorium plan district.
    2. 2.  Standards.
      1. a.  Design review.  Unless exempted under Subparagraphs F.2.f. and g., below, all exterior signs are subject to the regulations of Chapter 33.420, Design Overlay Zone.
      2. b.  Projecting signs.  Projecting signs are prohibited.
      3. c.  Signs for Retail Sales And Service uses.  All signs on sites with Retail Sales And Service uses must be fascia signs.  The total square footage of signs per retail tenant space must not exceed 1 square foot of sign for each lineal foot of primary building wall of tenant space.
      4. d.  Signs for residential-only developments.  Sites developed with only residential uses are limited to one fascia sign not exceeding 10 square feet in total area.
      5. e.  Signs for other uses and developments.  The maximum total sign area allowed per frontage for uses or developments not listed in Subparagraphs F.2.c. and d., above is 1 square foot for each 3 lineal feet of primary building wall.  Only signs attached to buildings are allowed, except in a commercial zone where up to two freestanding signs per arterial street frontage are allowed.  One sign is not allowed to exceed 12 feet in height and 100 square feet in area, and the other sign is not allowed to exceed 5 feet in height and 10 square feet in area.  The regulations of the base zone supersede the regulations of this subparagraph when they are more restrictive.
      6. f.  Temporary signs, portable signs, and lawn signs.  Temporary signs, portable signs, and lawn signs are exempt from the sign regulations of Subparagraph F.2.a. through e., above.  Temporary signs and portable signs are limited to a total combined area of 25 square feet per site.
      7. g.  Directional signs.  Directional signs are exempt from the sign regulations of Subparagraph F.2.c. through e., above.
  8. G.  Cascade Station plan district.
    1. 1.  Where this regulation applies.  The regulation of this subsection applies to signs in Subdistrict A of the Cascade Station plan district.
    2. 2.  Sign standard.  When a Cascade Station Sign Program has been approved, signs are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 32.30 through 32.38 of this Code.  Until such time as a Sign Program is approved, signs will be subject to the provisions of Chapters 32.30 through 32.38.
  9. H.  Hollywood plan district.
    1. 1.  Where this regulation applies.  This regulation applies to signs associated with new development on sites with frontage on the Enhanced Pedestrian Streets shown on Map 536-3 in Chapter 33.536, Hollywood Plan District.  Alterations or exterior improvements to existing development are exempt from this regulation.
    2. 2.  Freestanding signs are prohibited.
  10. I.  North Interstate plan district.
    1. 1.  Purpose. Encouraging retention of the mid-century signs identified in this subsection will represent Interstate Avenue Corridor’s rich past as US Route 99, which was the West Coast’s major north-south highway before Interstate 5 was built. Because their current locations may preclude desired development, allowing them to move to other locations along the corridor is necessary to ensure preservation.
    2. 2.  Where these regulations apply. The regulations of this subsection apply only to signs in the North Interstate plan district listed in Paragraph I.4.
    3. 3.  Relocation allowed. The special signs listed in Paragraph I.4., below, may be relocated as follows:
      1. a.  The sign may be moved to another location on the site where it is currently located, or to another location that meets the requirements of this subsection;
      2. b.  The receiving site must have frontage on North Interstate Avenue between N. Argyle St. and N. Fremont St.;
      3. c.  The receiving site must be zoned either CI1, CI2, CM2 or CM3;
      4. d.  Signs removed from their sites may be stored elsewhere before relocation;
      5. e.  Relocated signs are subject to discretionary Design Review. Design review will consider the location of the sign on the site, the visual relationship of the sign structure to other development on the site, and the visual relationship to North Interstate Avenue; in a content-neutral manner as provided in Section 32.38.010;
      6. f.  Relocated signs that are nonconforming as to size, height, lighting, or area of changing image do not have to come into conformance with the requirements of Chapters 32.30 through 32.38. However, they may not move further out of conformance with the size, height, and lighting regulations unless an adjustment or modification is approved. Increases to the area of changing image on a relocated sign are only allowed as provided in Section 32.32.030;
      7. g.  Relocated signs do not count towards the maximum sign allocation on the receiving site; and
      8. h.  Relocated signs are subject to the other requirements of this Title.
    4. 4.  Special signs. The signs below may be relocated as specified in this subsection. The signs are:
      1. a.  Street address 4333 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Westerner Motel sign.”
      2. b.  Street address 4024 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Alibi sign.”
      3. c.  Street address 5226 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Crown Motel sign.”
      4. d.  Street address 3801 N. Interstate Avenue #4, also known as “The Palms Motel sign.”
      5. e.  Street address 6701 N. Interstate Avenue , also known as “The Viking Motel sign.”
      6. f.  Street address 6423 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Nite Hawk sign.”
      7. g.  Street address 4739 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Budget Motel sign.”
      8. h.  Street address 5205 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Super Value Motel sign.”
      9. i.  Street address 6049 N. Interstate Avenue, also known as “The Central Bowl sign.”

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