The Planning Commission on Oct. 8 recommended approval of Ordinance 2025‑008, a comprehensive rewrite and reorganization of the Estacada sign code (EMC 16.72) and related citations in the city development code. The commission voted 5‑0 to forward the revised ordinance to city council for adoption.

What changed

Planning staff said the current sign code is difficult for applicants and staff to interpret and contains contradictory and content‑based language. The proposed ordinance reorganizes 16.72, clarifies and expands definitions related to signage, removes legally vulnerable content‑based restrictions where feasible, and adds a picture glossary (sign types and allowances table) to assist applicants and reviewers.

Temporary signs and political content

Council had earlier directed staff to exempt political signs from permitting. In the new draft, staff recommended exempting all temporary signs from permit requirements but retaining time/space/manner restrictions (size, time on display, and where they may be posted) so the city can regulate duration and placement without regulating content. Under the draft, staff said a typical temporary sign (including election‑period or issue signs) would be exempt from a permit but subject to maximum duration limits (for example, posted no more than six months in a given allowance) and size limits depending on zone.

Flags and other clarifications

The draft retains exemptions for flags but staff noted older code language that references “nationally recognized” flags and said they would revisit that specific phrasing with the city attorney and manager; staff proposed simplifying language so ordinary flags are clearly allowed while preserving reasonable public‑safety and size limitations. Staff also clarified which signage is exempt because it is integral to an on‑site use (for example, a sign on a trailer that indicates the structure’s use) and therefore not subject to a separate sign permit.

Approval criteria and next steps

Planning staff reviewed statewide planning goals, the comprehensive plan (downtown policy language calling for pedestrian‑scale signage and prohibiting large auto‑oriented signs), and development code requirements and concluded the amendments are consistent with applicable policies. The commission voted 5‑0 to recommend approval; the ordinance will be forwarded to city council for final action.

Ending

If council adopts the ordinance, the new sign chapter and related code edits will take effect according to the formal ordinance schedule. Staff told commissioners supplemental materials, including figures and a sign glossary, will be made available to applicants to aid compliance.