Chapter 32.62 Permits and Registration

City Code Chapter

32.62.010 Permit or Registration Required.

(Amended by Ordinance 176469, effective July 1, 2002.)

  1. A. General. No person, firm or corporation can erect, mount, install, construct, enlarge, structurally alter, move, display or electrify or connect a sign or awning, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining an awning permit, a sign permit or sign registration as provided in this section. Certain installations are exempt from permit or registration. Exemption from permit or registration does not grant authorization for any sign, sign structure or awning to be erected or structurally altered in violation of the provisions of this Title. Permanent signs that were not erected prior to November 18, 1998 nor were erected subject to a valid permit subsequent to that date, must be removed March 31, 2001, or the owner of such sign must obtain a valid permit.
  2. The following are exempt from permit and registration:
    1. 1. Lawn signs;
    2. 2.  Non-electrified directional signs;
    3. 3. Temporary banners meeting the following standards:
      1. a. Up to three banners are allowed per lot in all zones;
      2. b. Each banner may be no larger than 32 square feet in area; and
      3. c. No more than one banner can be hung on each building wall or on each separate structure.
    4. 4. Temporary fascia signs that are installed for 360 or fewer days;
    5. 5. Temporary freestanding signs that are installed for 360 or fewer days;
    6. 6. Temporary portable signs; and
    7. 7. Signs that are being re-erected following sign repair and sign maintenance. When a sign is removed for repair and maintenance, the person removing the sign must inform the Director, in writing, before the sign is removed, otherwise the re-erected sign will be considered a new sign.
  3. B. Sign Permits. A sign permit must be obtained for all permanent signs other than signs on awnings. Indirect lighting for a sign requires a separate electrical permit. A sign permit must be one of the types listed below:
    1. 1. Permanent sign;
    2. 2. Permanent sign with internal or direct lighting or with other electrical component;
    3. 3. Structural alteration to a sign; or
    4. 4. Structural alteration to a sign including internal or direct lighting or other electrical components.
  4. C. Awning Permits. An awning permit must be obtained for all awnings and awning signs. Lighting for an awning requires a separate electrical permit. An awning permit must be one of the types listed below:
    1. 1. Awning only;
    2. 2. Awning with sign; or
    3. 3. Sign addition to existing awning.
  5. D. Registration. Temporary banners, balloon signs and portable signs must be registered in accordance with this section. Signs that have been registered under this subsection are exempt from the permit requirements of Subsection B, above.
    1. 1. Temporary banners and balloon signs.
      1. a. Registration requirements and time periods. The following temporary signs must be registered. Registration is limited to the time periods specified.
        1. (1) Balloon signs. Maximum registration period is one week per calendar year.
        2. (2) Temporary banners. The registration period for temporary banners is 30 days. The number of banners registered on a site may not exceed one for any registration period. Temporary banner registrations on a site may not exceed six registration periods in any calendar year. An individual banner may be registered for up to 6 registration periods. The following temporary banners must be registered:
          1. (a) Banners larger than 32 square feet in area;
          2. (b) Banners not larger than 32 square feet in area, but in excess of 3 on a single site; or
          3. (c) Banners not larger than 32 square feet in area, but in excess of one hung on the same wall or hung on the same structure.
      2. b. Temporary banners and balloon signs existing as March 1, 2001 must be registered by April 30, 2001. Banners that are not registered must either be allowed without registration under this code, be permitted as a permanent sign, or be removed. Temporary balloon signs that are not registered must be removed.
    2. 2. Portable signs.
      1. a. All portable signs must be registered as provided in this section. Portable signs must be registered for either one or two years. Portable signs may be re-registered. Owners of the sign may choose either registration period for initial registration or each renewal. A Portable Sign registration is valid for the size and address for which the sign was specifically registered. Changes to the size or address of the portable sign require a new registration.
      2. b. Portable signs existing on March 1, 2001 must be registered by September 1, 2001. Portable signs that are not registered must be removed.
    3. 3. Temporary fascia and temporary freestanding signs. Temporary fascia and temporary freestanding signs erected for more than 360 days must be registered. The maximum registration period is 360 days.

32.62.020 Application Requirements.

(Amended by Ordinance 176469, effective July 1, 2002.)

  1. A. General. The applicant must submit an application for a sign permit, awning permit or sign registration to the Director for review. The applicant may not commence any sign or awning installation before the Director has approved the requested permit or registration. A separate application is required for each sign or awning.
  2. B. Who may apply.
    1. 1. The owner of a site on which a sign, sign structure or awning is to be placed must be the applicant for a permit or registration. The owner may authorize another responsible party to obtain a permit or registration. The Director may require written documentation of such authorization.
    2. 2. Signs with electrical components. When a sign includes electrical components the applicant must either be a licensed State of Oregon electrical contractor or the owner of the property. Permits issued to property owners must comply with Paragraph 32.62.030 B.3.
  3. C. General application requirements. Applications for sign and awning permits and registrations must be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Director. The Director will determine the number of copies of each document and plan required for application. The application must contain the general information specified in Paragraphs C.1 through C.6., below and the additional information specified in Subsections D. through E., below, as appropriate to the application type.
    1. 1. Address of the site on which the sign or awning is to be located;
    2. 2. Property owner’s name and address;
    3. 3. Sign owner’s name and address, when different than property owner;
    4. 4. Authorization of property owner to apply for and erect sign;
    5. 5. Contractor’s Registration number or numbers; and
    6. 6. Applicant’s name, address and telephone number.
  4. D. Additional application requirements for permanent signs. In addition to the application requirements contained in Subsection C, applications for permits for permanent signs must include the following information:
    1. 1. Method of attachment to building, foundation and other construction requirements specified in the plan standards of Subsection 32.62.020 H;
    2. 2. Electrical component specifications;
    3. 3. Sign dimensions and area;
    4. 4. Height of sign and height of clearances above pedestrian areas or for vision clearances;
    5. 5. For fascia signs, the weight of the sign;
    6. 6. Sign type;
    7. 7. Location on the property, building or structure;
    8. 8. A listing of existing signs on the property including type, location and size;
    9. 9. Calculations needed to show allowed, existing and proposed sign area;
    10. 10. A site plan, drawn to scale, showing:
      1. a. Site address;
      2. b. Property lines and lengths of street frontages;
      3. c. Building footprint;
      4. d. Length of building walls that:
        1. (1) face a street and have a public entrance; and
        2. (2) for tenant spaces without street frontage, walls with a public entrance and face a parking area;
      5. e. Public entrance to each building and ground level tenant space;
      6. f. Names of abutting street(s);
      7. g. Vision clearance areas; and
      8. h. North arrow;
    11. 11. Sign elevation drawing, drawn to scale, that includes:
      1. a. All details and dimensions of the sign;
      2. b. Type of material and all dimensions of supports and footings;
      3. c. Clearances above ground;
      4. d. Height above ground;
      5. e. Distance of any projecting sign extension into a right of way;
      6. f. Where a sign is attached to a building, the building roof line for the wall on which the sign will be mounted; and
      7. g. Type of lighting (if any).
  5. E. Additional application requirements for awnings. In addition to the application requirements contained in Subsection C., above, applications for permits for awnings, awnings with signs and awnings with electrical elements must include the following information:
    1. 1. Method of attachment to building and other construction requirements specified in the plan standards of Subsection 32.62.020 H;
    2. 2. Location of installation on wall;
    3. 3. Clearances above ground or pedestrian walking surface;
    4. 4. Height above ground;
    5. 5. Distance of any extension into a right of way and relationship to curb;
    6. 6. Type of lighting (if any); and
    7. 7. For those awnings including signs, additional information as specified in Subsection D., above.
  6. F. Registration application for temporary banners and temporary balloon signs. Applications for registration of temporary banners and temporary balloon signs must be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Director. The application must contain the following information:
    1. 1. Address of the site on which the banner or balloon sign is to be located;
    2. 2. Property owner’s name and address;
    3. 3. Applicant’s name, address and telephone number;
    4. 4. Size of the banner or balloon;
    5. 5. Building wall/location to mounted;
    6. 6. Attachment/mounting method
    7. 7. The number and size of other banners currently hung on the building and site; and
    8. 8. Dates the banner or balloon is to be erected and removed.
  7. G. Registration application for portable signs. Applications for registration of portable signs must be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Director. The application for a portable sign must contain the information specified below:
    1. 1. Portable sign owner’s name, address and telephone number;
    2. 2. Applicant’s name, address and telephone number;
    3. 3. Size, height and area of the portable sign; and
    4. 4. For a portable sign registered to a specific site, the application must contain the following additional information:
      1. a. Address of the site on which the portable sign is to be located or the address of the site adjoining the portion of the right-of-way where the sign is to be located;
      2. b. Property owner’s name and address; and
      3. c. Number of public entrances to the building on the site.
  8. H. Registration application for temporary fascia and temporary freestanding signs. Applications for registration of temporary fascia and temporary freestanding signs must be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Director. The application must contain the information specified below:
    1. 1. Property owner’s name and address;
    2. 2. Applicant’s name, address, and telephone number;
    3. 3. Size of temporary fascia or temporary freestanding sign;
    4. 4. Location of installation on wall (for fascia signs) or on property (for freestanding signs); and
    5. 5. Dates the temporary sign is to be erected and removed.
  9. I. Information on plans and drawings. All plans and drawings must be complete and drawn to scale. Line quality and contrast must be easily read and result in a readable document after photocopying, microfilming, scanning or similar reproduction. All plans and calculations must be on substantial paper. The plans must provide the appropriate wind, seismic, dead load and load combinations for each sign and awning. The plans must show the dimensions, materials, connections and attachments. If the sign or awning is to be attached to a building, the plans must contain information specifying the attachment methodology and information justifying the adequacy of building members to support the loads imposed by the sign, sign structure or awning. The plans for the foundation and attachment of permanent signs and awnings must be prepared and sealed by a State of Oregon registered engineer.
  10. J. Expiration of application. An application for a permit or registration for any proposed sign or awning will be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit or registration has been issued. The Director may grant one extension for a time not to exceed 180 days. The extension must be requested by the applicant in writing.
  11. K. Delegation of Registration. The Director is authorized to establish a program that delegates registration of signs through third parties. The Director must establish the program in accordance with the procedures established in Section 32.60.020, Rulemaking.

32.62.030 Review of Applications and Issuance of Permits.

(Amended by Ordinances 176469, 176955 and 191736, effective July 1, 2024.)

  1. A. Review of applications.
    1. 1. General. Applications for sign permits and registrations will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements of this Title. Proposals for signs and awnings that are allowed without other reviews are reviewed for compliance with the requirements of this Title. The review is a nondiscretionary administrative review. Decisions on application are made by the Director and are final. The review will be done according to general operating procedures of the Portland Permitting & Development and the City.
    2. 2. Actions of the Director. Where the Director finds that a proposed sign or awning does not comply with this Title, the Director must either require revisions to the proposal, require additional reviews or deny the application.
    3. 3. Additional reviews required. Applications for permits or registration for signs that require additional reviews, or that do not comply with the provisions of this Title, may require additional review according to procedures described in Chapters 32.38 and 32.44.
  2. B. Issuance of permits and registrations.
    1. 1. General. No sign permit or registration will be issued until the application is approved by the Director.
    2. 2. Electrical sign contractor. Permits for signs containing electrical components will be issued only to an appropriately licensed State of Oregon electrical contractor or the owner of the property. Lighting for awnings or indirect lighting for signs require a separate electrical permit.
    3. 3. Permits issued to property owners. Permits for signs or awnings containing electrical components will be issued to a property owner only where all work done under the permit will be performed by the owner or by a member of the immediate family of the owner and when the owner does not intend to sell, exchange, lease or rent the property within 6 months of final approval of the permitted work.
    4. 4. Access consent required. As a condition of permit or registration issuance, the responsible party must agree to allow access to the site for all inspections to be conducted.
    5. 5. Posting of sign permit and sticker and registration sticker.
      1. a. Sign permits and stickers. A sign permit for permanent signs attached to buildings and freestanding signs must be prominently posted in a location visible from the outside of the building located closest to the location of the sign installation until such time that the sign has received final inspection and has been approved.
      2. Permanent signs must be permanently identified with a sign sticker provided by the Director.
      3. b. Temporary banners, balloons, temporary fascia, temporary freestanding, and portable signs. Temporary banner, temporary balloon, temporary fascia, temporary freestanding, and portable sign registration must be identified with a registration sticker for each registration period. Stickers must be affixed to the approved banner, balloon, fascia or freestanding sign, or approved portable sign in a location that is visible from the right-of- way. Registration stickers must remain affixed and visible for the entire registration period during which the sign is visible from the right-of-way.
    6. 6. Identification. The installer of a permanent sign or permanent banner must display on the sign or banner the installer’s name and date of installation.

32.62.040 Life of Permit and Registration Limited.

(Amended by Ordinances 176469, 188647, 190350 and 191736, effective July 1, 2024.)

  1. A.  Sign and awning permits.
    1. 1.  Permit applications.
      1. a.  Initial permit application. A permit application that is inactive for a period of 180 days will be deemed abandoned. If an abandoned permit application is not reactivated within 180 days of abandonment, the permit application will be void. If a permit application is void, a new permit application is required for the subject work.
      2. b.  Extensions. The Director may extend a permit application for up to 180 days with justifiable cause, as determined in the Director’s sole discretion. Extension requests must be in writing and received by the Portland Permitting & Development before the scheduled permit abandonment date. If the permit is not issued or extended within the extended date, the permit will be deemed abandoned.
      3. c.  Reactivations. The Director may reactivate a permit application that has been abandoned for less than 180 days, with justifiable cause as determined in the Director’s sole discretion. Reactivation requests must be in writing and received by the Portland Permitting & Development within 180 days after the permit abandonment date. If no activity occurs within 180 days after a permit application is reactivated, the permit application will be deemed abandoned. A permit application may be reactivated only once.
    2. 2.  Issued permits.
      1. a.  Initial issued permit. If no inspection is approved within 180 days after permit issuance, the permit will expire. If an expired permit is not reactivated within 180 days of expiration, the permit will be void. If a permit is void, a new permit is required for the subject work.
      2. b.  Extensions. Each time an inspection is approved, the permit will automatically be extended for 180 days. The Director may also extend a permit for a period of up to 180 days with justifiable cause, as determined in the Director’s sole discretion. Extension requests must be in writing and received by the Portland Permitting & Development before the scheduled permit expiration date. If no inspection or extension is approved within the extended time period, the permit will expire.
      3. c.  Reactivations. The Director may reactivate a permit that has been expired for less than 180 days, provided no changes have been made to the scope of work, and with justifiable cause as determined in the Director’s sole discretion. A void permit may be reactivated provided there have been no changes to the scope of work and only the final inspection remains unapproved. Reactivation requests must be in writing and received by the Portland Permitting & Development within 180 days after permit expiration. If no inspection is approved within 180 days of reactivation, the permit will expire. A permit may be reactivated only once.
    3. 3.  Fees. When a new permit is required, a new permit application must be submitted and new fees must be paid based on the current adopted Portland Permitting & Development fee schedule. The Portland Permitting & Development will adopt policies for fee refunds or credits of previously submitted permits. Fees for permit extensions and reactivations may also be charged as adopted in the Portland Permitting & Development fee schedule.
  2. B.  Registration.
    1. 1.  Temporary banners. Each registration for a temporary banner is valid for a maximum of 30 days.  A banner may be registered for a maximum of 6 times in a calendar year. 
    2. 2.  Balloon signs. Registration for temporary balloons is valid for a maximum of one week.  Balloon registrations may not be extended or renewed.
    3. 3.  Portable signs. Registration for portable signs is valid for either 1 or 2 years as requested by the applicant.  At the end of each registration period, portable sign registration must be renewed or the sign must be removed from display.  There is no limit to the number of renewals for a portable sign registration.
    4. 4.  Temporary fascia or temporary freestanding signs. Registration for temporary fascia and temporary freestanding signs is valid for a maximum of 360 days.  Registrations may not be extended or renewed.

32.62.050 Suspension or Revocation.

  1. The Director may suspend or revoke a permit or registration issued under the provisions of this Title. The Director will inform the permit holder of the suspension or revocation in writing. Permits and registrations may be suspended or revoked when:
  2. A. The permit or registration is issued in error;
  3. B. The permit or registration is issued on the basis of incorrect information supplied by the applicant; or
  4. C. The permit or registration is issued in violation of any of the provisions of this Title.
  5. D. A registered portable sign has been the subject of multiple citations.

See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.

Search Code, Charter, Policy