Posting Signs During the Election Season

Posting temporary signs in residential zones during the political season?

Local and primary elections will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The City’s sign code, LOC Ch. 47, permits additional temporary signage in residential zones during the election season (90 days prior and 5 days after an election.)  Before posting signs in residential zones, here are some helpful reminders:

• Public Right-of-way or City Property: Signs on public property (such as parks, fire stations, and City Hall) or placed in the public right-of-way are not permitted. To determine where the public right-of-way is, identify markers such as fire hydrants, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signs, or utility poles and place your sign on the private property side of these markers.
  • If a sign is placed in the right-of-way or City property, it will be removed. A notice of violation will be sent to the responsible party; there is a possible fine. There is also a $32 retrieval fee per sign.
• Additional temporary signs on private property in residential zones during election season:
  • The signs should be posted either on your property or with consent of the property owner.
  • No application or fees are required to post a sign on private property.
  • No sign shall extend into or over the public right-of-way of any street.
  • The maximum sign area is six square feet.
  • Signs may not be attached to trees, shrubbery, utility poles, or traffic control signs or devices.
  • Signage may not include the use balloons or other moving, flashing, or animated parts.
  • The additional signs allowed during the election season must be removed no later than the fifth day following the election (November 13).

The City’s sign code requirements for temporary signs in residential zones are found in Lake Oswego Code 47.08.