Political Sign Policies

With election season underway, drivers are seeing more and more political signs throughout Lincoln County. The City of Waldport has adopted a revised Election Campaign Sign Policy, which replaces the City’s February 2022 Political Signage Policy. The updated policy treats election campaign signs the same as any other temporary sign, such as a yard-sale, event, or “for sale” sign. The City does not regulate signs based on what they say; instead, the same content-neutral standards for size, number, duration, placement, and construction apply to every temporary sign.

Signs on private property. Temporary signs, including campaign signs, are welcome on private property with the permission of the property owner or occupant. Each property may display one temporary sign per subject, up to 8 square feet. Signs may be displayed for up to 90 consecutive days, or for the duration of an election, event, or sale, lease, or rental of the property. Signs must be secured so they can’t be pushed, pulled, or blown over, and must be removed within 14 days after the display period ends. No permit or fee is required for a conforming temporary sign on private property.

Where signs are not allowed. Temporary signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, including medians, planting strips, and streets. Signs are also not permitted on City-owned property, such as parks, City Hall grounds, and fire, police, and emergency-services facilities, except during a City-permitted event on that property. For everyone’s safety, no sign may be placed within 10 feet of a stop sign or other traffic-control sign, or anywhere it would block the view of drivers or pedestrians.

Have a concern about a sign? Enforcement is complaint-based; the City does not routinely patrol for sign violations. Please don’t remove or tamper with someone else’s sign yourself, as doing so may be a crime under Oregon law. Instead, contact City Hall with a written complaint (email is fine) and City staff will follow up. Thank you for helping keep Waldport safe, clear, and welcoming for everyone this election season. Read the full Election Campaign Sign Policy (PDF)

According to ODOT’s 2026 bulletin, political signs cannot be placed

• On the state highway right‑of‑way (only official traffic control devices are allowed there)

• On trees, utility poles, fence posts, or natural features within the right‑of‑way

• Within view of a designated scenic area

• In scenic corridors

ODOT removes improperly placed political signs and holds them at the nearest district maintenance office for 30 days for pickup

Allowed on Private Property

Political signs may be placed on private property within view of a state highway, but must meet these rules

• Size: Maximum 12 sq ft; up to 32 sq ft with a variance from ODOT’s Outdoor Advertising Sign Program

• No flashing/intermittent lights, animated or moving parts

• No imitation of official highway signs or devices

• Not allowed in scenic corridors

• No payment or compensation for placement or message content

• Must comply with local municipal regulations

Enforcement & Contact

• ODOT enforces these rules to prevent driver distraction, hazards, and obstruction of safety messages. For uncertainty about whether a site is private property or right‑of‑way, contact your local ODOT district maintenance office.