Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 350 - COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION
Division 81 - LAND USE ORDINANCE
Section 350-081-0112 - Signs

(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, nonreflective, 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 for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the following signs are prohibited:

(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.

(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/or 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.

(A) The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 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.

(C) Signs posted by governmental jurisdictions giving notice to the public shall be no larger than that required to convey the intended message.

(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 counties.

(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.

(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.