Sign Regulations in Hillsboro, OR

Hillsboro maintains 117 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Hillsboro falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Digital Billboards

In Hillsboro, Oregon (Washington County), electronic message and tri-vision billboards can't change copy faster than every 8 seconds and must stay under 8,000 nits by day, 1,000 nits after dusk.

Key details: Message change rate: no faster than every 8 sec. Transition time: 4 sec max, or go dark. Daytime brightness cap: 8,000 nits max. Night brightness cap: 1,000 nits, dusk to dawn. Animation: flashing/pulsing/motion banned.

Sign code violations are punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense under HMC § 11.32.340, and each day the sign stays out of compliance counts as a separate offense; the Manager can also order removal under § 11.32.330.

Window Signs

Hillsboro limits non-illuminated interior signs facing a sidewalk or street to covering no more than 25% of an individual window before a sign permit is required, under the city's sign code.

Key details: Window coverage cap: 25% per window, non-illuminated. Applies to: Non-residential sign districts. Illuminated sign cap: 4 sq ft (certain districts). Exceeding limit: Requires a sign permit.

Displaying an interior sign that exceeds the 25% window-coverage exemption without first obtaining the required sign permit is unlawful under HMC § 11.32.040(B) and is enforceable under HMC § 11.32.330.

Garage Sale Signs

Hillsboro allows signs advertising a household, yard or garage sale only on the property where the sale is held; HMC 5.24.030(A) bars off-site signs such as street-corner or utility-pole postings. Radio, TV, newspaper and internet advertising for the same sale face no similar restriction under HMC 5.24.030(B).

Key details: Sign location allowed: Only on the seller's own property. Off-site signs: Not authorized under HMC 5.24.030(A). Media advertising: Radio, TV, newspaper, internet unrestricted. Enforcement notice: 96 hours after code section served. Default penalty: $500 civil penalty, HMC 1.08.010(B).

A sign posted off the sale property, at an intersection, on a utility pole or on a neighbor's lawn without consent, triggers the same two-step process as any other Subchapter 5.24 violation: service of the specific code section under HMC 5.24.040, a mandatory 96-hour wait before enforcement, and no further notice required for repeat offenses. The default fine is the Code's general $500.00 civil penalty under HMC 1.08.010(B), per day under HMC 1.08.030.

The rules around garage sale signs in Hillsboro lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Hillsboro, Oregon (Washington County) caps freeway-facing billboards along the Sunset Highway (US 26) corridor at just two permits citywide, with height capped at 45 feet on bordering industrial land.

Key details: Sunset Highway district cap: 2 billboard permits max. Electronic/tri-vision sign cap: 1 permit only. Height limit (I-G zoned): 45 feet max. Max sign area: 300 sq ft per face. Max fine: $500, per-day violation.

Violating the sign code carries fines up to $500 per offense, with each day a nonconforming billboard stays up counting as a separate offense under HMC 11.32.340; the Manager can also order removal under HMC 11.32.330.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hillsboro actively enforces its freeway-facing signs requirements.

The Bottom Line

Hillsboro's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hillsboro is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hillsboro can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.