Temporary & Portable Sign Regulations

Planning a garage sale, event, or posting an election sign?

This page highlights the basics to help you stay compliant and keep our community safe.

Additional information about banners and temporary signs can be found at the bottom of the page.
For assistance contact CSO Bill Collins at (503) 925-7101 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

Set Yourself up for Success: Avoid Common Sign Placement Mistakes

A few simple steps can help ensure your signs are effective, safe, and in compliance with City regulations. Below are common issues and how to avoid them:

• Attaching signs to poles or street signs
  Signs should always be freestanding and not placed on utility poles, street signs, trees, or similar structures.
• Placing signs in the right-of-way outside permitted times
  Signs in the public right-of-way are only allowed from Friday at 6 a.m. through Sunday at 6 p.m.
• Choosing locations that may create safety concerns
  Avoid placing signs in busy roadways, traffic islands, or planting strips where visibility or safety could be impacted.
• Placing signs in restricted areas
  This includes locations like Highway 99 right-of-way, roundabouts, and the pedestrian bridge, where signage is not permitted.
• Overlooking size and placement guidelines
  Be sure your signs meet size requirements and are placed appropriately, especially on private property where limits may apply.

Taking a few extra moments to review these guidelines helps keep our community safe, accessible, and looking its best.

What Counts as a Portable Sign?

Most garage sale, event, real estate, and election signs fall into this category.

These portable signs are:

• Freestanding (not attached to structures)
• No taller than 24 inches
• No larger than 18″ x 24″ per sign face
• Temporarily placed and easily movable

A-frames are another example of a portable sign.

These portable signs are:

• No greater than four feet in height and seven square feet per sign face
• Composed of two sign boards attached at the top and separated at the bottom (“A” shape)
• Not supported by a structure on the ground

Sign Tips

DO:

Don’t:

Key Rules to Follow

Placement

• Public right-of-way allowed Friday 6 a.m. – Sunday 6 p.m. only
• Not allowed at any other time

Signs are not allowed in:

• ODOT right-of-way (including Highway 99)
• Washington County right-of-way (including Roy Rogers Rd, Edy Rd, and Tualatin-Sherwood Rd, with limited exceptions)
• Traffic islands or roundabouts
• Clear vision areas or locations that block visibility
• Areas adjacent to City-owned property without permission

Installation & Design

• Must be freestanding (no poles, trees or structures)
• No lighting or moving features (balloons, streamers, etc)
• Must not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic
• Must be installed using wood or metal stakes
• Must not damage utilities or property
• Must not resemble or be confused with traffic signals

Private Property & Responsibility

• No permit required for portable signs on private property
• Property owner permission is required
• The person placing the sign is responsible for removing it

Helpful Reminders

• Signs should be removed promptly after your event
• The City may remove signs that create safety concerns or violate regulations
• Additional rules may apply in Old Town Sherwood

Resources & Contact

• Download the Sign Brochures linked below.
• Contact: CSO Bill Collins, (503) 925-7101
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Supporting Documents