Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0520

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 350-082-0520 - Signs

(1) Signs may be allowed where authorized in specified land use designations and consistent with the guidelines in section (2) or (3) below.

(2) GMA Sign Provisions

(a) Except for signs allowed without review pursuant to 350-082-0210, all new signs must meet the following guidelines unless these guidelines conflict with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2012, or most recent version) for public safety, traffic control or highway construction signs. In such cases, the standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2012, or most recent version) shall supersede these guidelines.

(A) The support structure shall be unobtrusive and have low visual impact.

(B) Lettering colors with sufficient contrast to provide clear message communication shall be allowed. Signs shall be colored to blend with their setting to the maximum extent practicable.

(C) Backs of all signs shall be unobtrusive, non-reflective, and blend in with the setting.

(D) Spotlighting of signs may be allowed where needed for night visibility. Backlighting is not permitted for signs.

(E) Except for signs along public highways necessary for public safety, traffic control, or road construction and consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2012, or most recent version), the following signs are prohibited:

(i) Luminous signs or those with intermittent or flashing lights. These include neon signs, fluorescent signs, light displays, and other signs that are internally illuminated, exclusive of seasonal holiday light displays.

(ii) New billboards.

(iii) Signs with moving elements.

(iv) Portable or wheeled signs, or signs on parked vehicles where the sign is the primary use of the vehicle.

(F) In addition to subsections (A) through (E) above, signs shall meet the below guidelines according to Recreation Intensity Class (and subject to compliance with 350-082-0700(5) and 350-082-0720):

(i) Recreation Intensity Class 1 (Very Low Intensity) - Simple interpretive signs or displays, not to exceed a total of 50 square feet. Entry name signs, not to exceed ten square feet per sign.

(ii) Recreation Intensity Class 2 (Low Intensity) - Simple interpretive signs and displays, not to exceed a total of 100 square feet. Entry name signs, not to exceed 20 square feet per sign.

(iii) Recreation Intensity Class 3 (Moderate Intensity) - Interpretive signs, displays or facilities. Visitor information and environmental education signs, displays, or facilities. Entry name signs, not to exceed 32 square feet per sign.

(iv) Recreation Intensity Class 4 (High Intensity) - Entry name signs, not to exceed 40 square feet per sign.

(G) For recreation facility design projects, signs shall be limited to that necessary to provide relevant recreation or facility information, interpretive information, vehicular and pedestrian direction, and for safety purposes.

(b) Any sign that does not conform with a provision of these guidelines and has existed before their adoption is subject to the following provisions:

(A) Alteration of existing nonconforming signs shall comply with these guidelines.

(B) Any nonconforming sign used by a business must be brought into conformance concurrent with any expansion or change in use that requires a development permit.

(3) SMA Sign Provisions

(a) New signs may be allowed as specified in the applicable land use designation.

(b) No sign shall be erected or placed in such a manner that it may interfere with, be confused with, or obstruct the view of any traffic sign, signal, or device.

(c) Preexisting signs are allowed to continue, provided no changes occur in size, structure, color, or message.

(d) Except for signs allowed without review pursuant to 350-082-0210, all new signs shall meet the following guidelines and be consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2012, or most recent version):

(A) Signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and attractive condition.

(B) The character and composition of sign materials shall be harmonious with the landscape and related to and compatible with the main structure upon which the sign is attached.

(C) Signs shall be placed flat on the outside walls of buildings, not on roofs or marquees.

(D) Signs shall be unobtrusive and have low contrast with the setting.

(E) The visual impact of the support structure shall be minimized.

(F) Outdoor sign lighting shall be used for purposes of illumination only, and shall not be designed for, or used as, an advertising display, except for road safety signs.

(G) The backs of all signs shall be visually unobtrusive, non-reflective, and blend in with the setting.

(H) Internal illumination or backlighting of signs shall not be permitted except for highway construction, warning, or safety.

(e) Public signs shall meet the following standards in addition to subsections (a) through (d) above:

(A) The Graphic Signing System provides design standards for public signs in and adjacent to public road rights-of-way. All new and replacement public signs, except those transportation regulatory, guide, and warning signs allowed outright shall conform to the guidelines in this system. Types of signs addressed include recreation site entry, interpretive, specific service signs, destination and distance signs, variable message signs, or signs that bridge or are cantilevered over the road surface.

(B) Signs located outside public road rights-of-way are encouraged to be designed in a way that is consistent with similar-purpose signs described in the Graphic Signing System.

(f) Signs located outside public road rights-of-way are encouraged to be designed in a way that is consistent with similarpurpose signs described in the Graphic Signing System. Signs posted by governmental jurisdictions giving notice to the public shall be no larger than that required to convey the intended message.

(g) Signs for public and commercial recreation facilities, home occupations, and commercial uses shall meet the following guidelines in addition to subsections (a) through (d) above and subsection (h) below:

(A) Any sign advertising or relating to a business that is discontinued for a period of 30 consecutive days shall be presumed to be abandoned and shall be removed within 30 days thereafter, unless permitted otherwise by the jurisdictional authority.

(B) Any signs relating to or advertising for a business shall be brought into conformance with these sign guidelines before any expansion or change in use that is subject to review by the Executive Director.

(C) Offsite and onsite directional signs on approach roads to recreational facilities may be permitted. Name and interpretive signs may be permitted onsite, but should be kept to the minimum required to achieve the purpose(s) of the facilities.

(D) Commercial recreation businesses approved in conjunction with a recreational facility may have a name sign not exceeding 16 square feet.

(E) Recreation developments may have one on-premise name sign at each principal entrance. Such signs are encouraged to be of a low profile, monument type, and shall conform to the Graphic Signing System.

(h) The following signs are prohibited:

(A) Advertising billboards.

(B) Signs that move or give the appearance of moving, except signs used for highway construction, warning, or safety.

(C) Portable or wheeled signs, or signs on parked vehicles where the sign is the primary use of the vehicle, except for signs used for highway construction, warning, or safety.

(i) Sign clutter and other negative visual effects from excessive signs along all roads and highways, and at parking lots and recreation facilities, shall be reduced.

Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0520

CRGC 1-2022, adopt filed 03/02/2022, effective 5/1/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544e(c), 16 USC § 544f(l)

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544e(c), 16 USC § 544f(l)