Commission discusses updates to Rolla sign rules after complaints about election-season signs

City planning staff opened a commission discussion about possible changes to Rolla’s sign regulations after complaints that political and other temporary signs exceeded code limits on some undeveloped parcels during the election season.

Tom told commissioners the code currently allows 32 square feet of temporary signage on residential parcels and up to 96 square feet on vacant commercial parcels; a fully developed commercial site can have a larger sign allowance. He said complaints about signs on prominent undeveloped lots prompted the conversation and that Council previously requested a temporary moratorium on enforcement during the election to avoid weaponizing code enforcement.

Commissioners and staff discussed several potential approaches: treating very large residential parcels as commercial for signage limits, basing allowable temporary signage on lot frontage, applying time limits for temporary signs, or requiring a brief temporary-sign permit that would register size and display dates. One commissioner suggested an acreage threshold (for example, treat lots over a certain acreage as eligible for larger temporary signage). Another said a permit requirement for temporary signs would be difficult to administer because candidates and supporters typically place signs shortly before an election.

Tom and other staff noted legal limits on regulating sign content. "The idea...made it to the Supreme Court and they said no, it doesn't matter what is on the sign. What you're supposed to regulate is time, place, and manner," Tom said, summarizing the constitutional constraints commissioners must apply when designing rules.

Commissioners asked staff to draft code amendments or options for council review; staff said they will prepare proposals and that the topic will likely generate extensive discussion at council if pursued.