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Committee debates Drive Safe yard signs after staff cites city code that forbids signs in right‑of‑way
Summary
Committee members sought to place ‘Drive Safe’ yard signs across town. City staff told the committee that city code and state rules generally prohibit signs in public right‑of‑way and on City Hall property; staff offered alternative placements and a reader‑board announcement.
Members of the Estacada Traffic and Public Safety Committee discussed the committee's Drive Safe campaign signs during the Sept. 16 meeting and were told by city staff that signs placed in public right‑of‑way or on City Hall property run afoul of local code and state rules.
Melanie, city staff, told the committee that yard signs may be placed on private property with the landowner's permission but “if they get put in the right of way, they're probably gonna get picked up by either Clackamas County or ODOT or us at some point.” She referred the committee to the city code on signs — Title 16 — and said the code prohibits signs in the public right‑of‑way and clear‑vision areas.
Committee members repeatedly asked whether Drive Safe yard signs could be placed on City Hall property; Melanie said the city typically does not allow signs on City Hall property and that the policy is enforced consistently. She offered alternatives: placing Drive Safe messages on the city reader board and using private property placements with landowner permission; staff also said it could provide the ordinance references to the committee.
Committee members expressed concern that the “Drive Safe” campaign is a citywide safety campaign, not a political sign, and asked whether the group should take the question to council. Counselor Blevins and others noted that any policy change or formal allowance for signs on public property should be considered by the mayor and council. The committee discussed pursuing a written policy or a formal council request if they want to permit signs on City Hall or rights‑of‑way.
Melanie said staff would send a link to the city code provisions and to state rules and would review whether a written standard operating procedure exists; she cautioned that ODOT and county rules apply for state and county roads. The committee also discussed practical placement: members were advised that signs in private yards are allowed with permission and that enforcement usually picks up signs in the right‑of‑way over time.
