Code Compliance Permits & FAQ

A permit is necessary to keep any wild or domestic animals of any kind, cats and dogs excepted, or to keep honeybees. Any person wishing to keep four or more adult dogs at a residence must first obtain a permit for a hobby kennel.

Report unreasonable loud noise by animals (i.e. dogs barking), lost & found pets or other animal control related issues. 

Wild & domestic animal permit application process:

• Visit Newberg City Hall or complete the Wild/Domestic Animal Permit Application (Download) and submit at the Newberg City Hall
• There is no cost for the permit
• Permit approval requires an inspection to ensure that the keeping of the animal(s) does not interfere with the rights of others in the enjoyment of their property, peace, health and safety. See NMC 6.05 for more details.
  • The Code Enforcement Officer will follow up to schedule the inspection.

Guidelines for holding a garage saleGarage sales are a great way to get rid of some unwanted stuff that might just be another’s treasure. 

A common way to advertise a sale is to post signs around your neighborhood, but a few guidelines should be kept in mind:

• Signs may not be attached to trees or utility poles, including traffic sign posts.
• Up to two signs per street frontage may be posted in the public right-of-way which includes the sidewalk and planter strip between the sidewalk and street, subject to certain criteria, such as:
  • Signs should not create a hazard or obstruction of the sidewalk.
  • Signs may not be placed in the street or obstruct visibility at intersections. 
  • Signs in the right-of-way must be removed at night during the week, and may be displayed not more than four consecutive days. If in the C-3 district (downtown), signs may only be displayed during business hours.
  • The sign owner must have the written permission of the adjacent property owner before posting a sign in the right-of-way.
• Up to three signs may be displayed on private property during an "event" such as a garage sale, but only twice per year.
• If a sign is found to be non-compliant with city ordinances it will be removed and the violator could receive a citation. The cost of the first offense is $100.

For more information about placing your garage sale sign, please feel free to contact the City of Newberg Planning Division at (503) 537-1240 or planning@newbergoregon.gov, or the Code Compliance Officer at (503) 554-7709 or codecompliance@newbergoregon.gov 

NDC 15.435.090 Portable Signs

NDC 15.435.100 Temporary signs for events

NDC 15.435.110 Signs within the public right-of-way 

Newberg has an anti-litter ordinance to help keep the city clean and beautiful.  Local newspapers such as the Oregonian​ and the Newberg Graphic​ employ a marketing strategy called "total market coverage" which delivers free papers to all households in the area. These and other printed materials can sometimes become litter unintentionally if not delivered or collected properly. To prevent unwanted litter, please observe the following:

• Newspapers should be placed on private property only and not in the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way includes the street, sidewalk, and areas in between such as planter strips or driveway aprons. Newspaper delivery boxes are also appropriate.
• Pick up delivered papers promptly. Do not allow them to be scattered by vehicles or the weather.
• If you do not wish to receive free advertising materials, or have other delivery concerns, contact the appropriate distributor.
  • The Newberg Graphic can be reached by calling 503-538-2181.
  • The Oregonian can be reached by calling 503-221-8240 or via email at hdelivery@oregonian.com. For the Oregonian's This Week publication, contact Rico Myszewski at 503-221-8057 or rmyszewski@oregonian.com.
• Contact the distributor to suspend delivery while you're away, or if you notice papers being delivered to a vacant house.
• Materials should not be delivered to residences where the occupants have requested to not receive them. Posting "No Solicitation" or "No Advertisements" in a conspicuous place near the entrance is sufficient.
• Handbills and flyers may not be left on vehicles. 

For more information, see NMC 9.25.130, or contact the Code Compliance Division at 503-554-7709 if you have questions or concerns.

Trees can enhance the beauty, health, and livability of our community. They can also become a hazard when not cared for properly. Property owners have the responsibility to maintain trees and bushes on their properties, including those in the planter strip adjoining their properties (the landscaped area between the property line and the street).

• A dead or decaying tree that is a hazard to the public or to nearby persons or property is a nuisance and must be removed. NMC 8.15.100(B)
• No trees or bushes should interfere with street or sidewalk traffic. Tree limbs should be trimmed to a height of not less than 8 feet above the sidewalk and not less than 14 feet above the roadway. They should not obstruct street lights or signs. NMC 8.15.100
• Trees and bushes should not create visual obstructions for motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Vegetation or other objects in the vision clearance setback should not be more than 30 inches nor less than 9 feet above the curb line. NMC 15.410.060
• No tree greater than 2 inches in diameter in the public right-of-way, such as in the planter strip, may be removed, topped, or severely pruned without a permit from the Planning Division, except where such pruning is required by city ordinances or requested by the city, such as to maintain clearances from sidewalks, street signs, streets, or alleys. “Severe pruning” is defined as severing the trunk, or cutting back the trunk or a limb larger than four inches in diameter to a stub. NMC 12.05.260

Permissible Signs vary by type and zoning. See the FAQ below for details on regulations for various types of signage.

Sign Code FAQ

The citizens of Newberg desire a clean, attractive, economically vibrant, and safe community. Well-planned and constructed signs can contribute to the community’s success by directing and informing the public about commercial and other activities, and by creating attractive commercial and other neighborhoods. On the other hand, unregulated signage can create clutter, distractions, and hazards. For questions regarding signs, contact the Planning Department.

Signs fall into two general categories:

• Signs Requiring a Permit (see below for regulations and permit application)
• Non-permitted Signs - Do not require a permit but must otherwise comply with standards outlined in the City's Sign Code NMC 15.435
  • Minor freestanding signs
  • Minor attached signs
  • Temporary signs
  • Portable signs (except as stated in NMC 15.435.105)
  • Flag Display (two allowed on each street frontage, except as authorized by NMC 15.435.100(C))