Political Signs on Residential Properties

The City of West Linn regulates all temporary signs, such as political signs, on both private and public property. No permit or fee is required for political signs.  The City does not distinguish between political signs, house for sale signs, or garage sale signs. Temporary signs are all regulated equally.

How long can they be up?
The maximum length of time is 60 days in a calendar year for all signs.
For example, a property cannot have four signs up for 60 days, take them down, and have another five signs up for another 60 days. It is 60 days total.

Where can they go?
No temporary sign is allowed in the public right of way. Please visit West Linn Maps to verify where the right-of-way is located on the property.
Permission must be received from the property owner prior to placing a sign on the property. The sign must be two feet back of the sidewalk or, in areas with no sidewalk, three feet from the edge of the street as long as it is out of the right-of-way. Signs on corner lots cannot be in the clear vision area (see illustration below). Motorists views cannot be blocked. Signs can be freestanding or wall mounted.

How many signs are allowed per property?
A private property owner is limited to five temporary signs, including political signs, at any time. The City does not regulate the content of the signs, so if a property owner wants five signs for one candidate or two political signs and three signs for a garage sale, the City is not concerned. The City just limits the number and size.

How big can they be?
The maximum total square footage of signage is 24 square feet. That’s the total square footage of all the signs. That means there can be up to five signs measuring - with a combined square footage - up to 24 square feet. The maximum height of any sign is seven feet. Temporary signs cannot be illuminated.

Wall mounted signs?
Wall mounted temporary signs are permitted; however, are limited to only one. Wall mounted signs have a maximum size of four square feet and cannot be over 12 feet high.

Removed signs
The Police Department’s Code Enforcement Officer will remove all signs that violate any aspect of these standards. To report any signs in violation, please contact the Police Non-Emergency at 503-635-0238. Removed signs may be picked up at your convenience from the grey bin placed in front of the decommissioned Bolton Fire Station at 6000 Failing Street.  Signs not retrieved within 30 days will be disposed of.

Further questions?
Contact the City of West Linn Planning Department at 503-742-6060.
The sign chapter of the Community Development Code is Chapter 52.

Illustration of correct sign placement can be found in the supporting document below: