Multnomah County, OR Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Multnomah County Code Chapter 39.6250 (Sign Regulations) exempts political signs on private property from permit requirements but caps total signage at 32 sq ft per residential lot and 64 sq ft per nonresidential lot. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on traffic control devices. Portland City Code 32.32.020 follows the same approach: political yard signs are permit-exempt but must be on private property, limited to 32 sq ft in residential zones, and cannot obstruct sight triangles at intersections (PCC 17.28.050). Removal timing is not mandated by code because of First Amendment concerns following Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015), which struck down content-based sign durations. Portland's 2019 sign code revision deleted prior post-election removal deadlines for this reason. However, signs abandoned after 30 days may be treated as litter under PCC 14A.50.040. Signs in the public right-of-way are removed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation Sign Shop or ODOT on state highways (US 26, I-84, I-205). The Secretary of State's campaign finance rules ORS 260 require disclosure (Paid for by...) on signs over 8 sq ft.