Planning FAQ

• Residential Zoning Development Standards Matrix
• Commercial, Manufacturing, Industrial Zoning Development Standards Matrix

1. AN APPLICANT WILL NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW THE BUSINESS MEETS THE HOME OCCUPATION STANDARDS OF THE NEWBERG DEVELOPMENT CODE. THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE REQUIREMENTS:
2. All signs need to meet the requirements of Section 15.435 of the Development Code.
3. There shall be no exterior display that the building is used for any purpose other than a dwelling.
4. The building is required to retain the characteristics of a residence.
5. Outside storage of materials or supplies is prohibited.
6. No more than one outside paid employee shall be permitted to work at the residence at any given time.
7. The use does not destroy the residential character of the neighborhood.
8. All work being performed at the site is done within the confines of a building and no noise, odor, dust, smoke shall permeates beyond the confines of the property.
9. The business is incidental to the residential use.
10. Work that involves the use of hazardous substances or materials is prohibited.

• Click here to be taken to:  HOME OCCUPATION APPLICATION
• Click here to be taken to the: BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION

Permissible Signs Vary by Type and Zoning
Signs | Signage | Yard Sign | Banners | Permanent Sign | A Frame

The City of Newberg regulates the placement of signs on private property and within the public right-of-way for the purpose of maintaining a clean, attractive, economically vibrant, and safe community. For questions regarding signs, contact the Planning Department.

Community, Commercial and Industrial Signs
Signs that are permanently attached to the ground or building usually require a permit and shall meet the current Oregon Structural Specialty Code.

Refer to the sign application and determine if your sign needs a permit

Portable and Temporary Signs
A portable sign is any sign not permanently attached to the ground or structure (e.g., A-frames, yard signs, balloons, banners, etc.). A common method during campaign / election season is the use of portable signs which are considered temporary (NMC Section 15.43,090). No permit is required for portable signs unless you wish to use more than allowed by the City Code (NMC 15.435.105).

Typically, temporary signs are used for advertising, elections, directional guidance, items for sale, garage sales, lost and found animals, private events, real estate, etc. while portable signs are used by businesses to advertise in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property.

The City does not distinguish signs based on content; therefore, the following limits apply to all portable and temporary signs for specific events.

NUMBER OF SIGNS
Generally, a lot or property may contain two (2) portable sign per street frontage plus two (2) additional temporary portable signs.
 
DURATION
Grand opening event: Up to 30 days in duration within 30 days of issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or change of business or ownership.

Other events: May not be more than eight (8) consecutive days in duration.

SIZE LIMITS

Residential zones with non-residential uses: Six (6) square feet in the front yard (generally 15 feet from the property line), or 16 square feet elsewhere.

Non-residential zones: 12 square feet in the front yard (generally 10 feet from the property line), or 40 square feet elsewhere.

PLACEMENT OF SIGNS

Signs in Public Right-of-Way

The right-of-way is typically the area that includes the sidewalk, planter strip, and street. Please contact the Code Compliance Division for placing signs in the right-of-way.

For lots in the C-3 (Downtown area) and C-4 zones:

• Two (2) portable signs allowed per street frontage
• May be located, without permit, in the public right-of-way fronting that lot, provided they meet the following standards in 15.435.110.C
• Portable and/or temporary signs are not allowed by ODOT on sidewalks along Hancock Street except within the College Street and Main Street rights-of-way

• Two (2) portable signs allowed per street frontage
• May be located, without permit, in the public right-of-way fronting that lot, provided they meet the following standards in 15.435.110.D
• No sign may be displayed for more than four consecutive days
• Portable and/or temporary signs are not allowed in the right-of-way along Highway 99W, Highway 240 or Highway 219 except as noted in 15.435.110.B

The City of Newberg does regulate Vacation Home Rentals and Bed and Breakfast Establishments, please find the information below on what approvals and reviews are needed to have those uses on your property.

Different residential zones require a different land use process for both Bed & Breakfast Establishments and Vacation Rentals. The distinction is laid out below:

Properties that are zoned commercially have other standards and require a land use process as well. Please contact the Planning Division for questions on those standards and process. The contact information will be listed below.

Don't know what your property is zoned? Go to the City's Interactive Map and search via your property address. To turn the zoning layer on click the tab "Content" on the left-hand side of your screen and scroll down to click on "Newberg Zoning."

What is the Review Process?

The Conditional Use Permit process is required to seek approval by Planning Commission. This includes a public notice required to be sent to all properties within 500 ft of the site (the applicant is required to do this) and a public hearing with Planning Commission. It will take a minimum of around 2-3 months to go through this process. An application that shows how this use meets the approval criteria and fees are associated with this process. The application is below in "Supporting Documents." 

A Type II land use process is where the Community Development Director is the one to make the decision and not Planning Commission. A public notice to all properties within 500 ft is still required, but there will not be any public hearing before the Planning Commission. It will take a minimum of 2-3 months to go through the process. An application that shows how this use meets the approval criteria and fees are associated with this process. The application is below in "Supporting Documents." 

If approved, the City requires registration and payment for the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) as well as obtaining a Business License.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Short Term Vacation Rental Application

• File a return through the online Portal : Quarterly Tax Filing (TLT/Marijuana)
  • Payments  can be made through the portal by Credit Card or ECheck
  • OR by check made out to City of Newberg can be mailed to PO Box 790, Newberg OR. 97132 Att: Accounts Payable.  Make sure to have the Registration form with the check.

Vacation rental/short-term rental properties (VRBO or Hotel/Motel) must receive land use approval from the City of Newberg Planning division before Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) registration can be approved.

• The Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) is completed through the Business License Application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Accounts Receivable department at: (503) 554-7745 or Accountsreceivable@newbergoregon.gov

A density/heat map is linked below that shows the general locations of approved vacation home rentals and bed & breakfast establishments in the City of Newberg.

The City Development Code defines bed & breakfast establishments and vacation home rentals as different uses.

Bed & Breakfast Establishment (2 or fewer rooms): means a structure designed as a single-family dwelling and occupied by an on-site manager (property occupant/property owner) in which 2 or fewer sleeping units and bed and breakfast establishment shall have a limited period of use as a rental to no more than 7 consecutive days and no more than 15 days within a 30-day period.

Vacation Rental Homes: a single-family dwelling unit that is used, rented or occupied for periods of less than 30 days, or is available, advertised, or listed by an agent as available for use, rent for occupancy for periods of less than 30 days.

Bed & Breakfast Establishment (3 or more rooms): means a structure designed as a single-family dwelling and occupied by an on-site manager in which 3 or more sleeping units are provided for periods of less than 30 days for use by travelers or transients for a charge or fee paid or to be paid for the rental or use of the facility. This use is also typically known as a traditional bed & breakfast.