Planning commission recommends text amendment to temporary signage rules, changing maximum days to 21 with 10‑day removal period

The Rolla City Planning and Zoning Commission on May 13 voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a text amendment to Chapter 42 of the city code to revise temporary sign rules for residential and nonresidential districts.

Tom, a city staff member, explained the proposed revisions: for undeveloped residential property the allowance for temporary signs was changed from "32 square feet per 40 feet of frontage" to "32 square feet per 80 feet of frontage" and the draft clarified that individual signs may be up to 32 square feet. Tom also summarized the nonresidential sign standards in the packet and said the sign code currently allows a wall sign and one ground sign per entrance with a maximum freestanding sign size of 64 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet.

The commission discussed temporary‑sign duration and enforcement. Commissioners questioned the existing language that allowed 14 consecutive days in a quarter and then required removal within 14 days of city notice, noting that the interplay of complaint timing, documentation and enforcement could yield differing total timeframes. Several commissioners raised free‑speech concerns about restricting signs during political campaigns and asked staff about legal constraints on distinguishing sign content; Tom replied that court rulings limit content‑based distinctions and the code must treat signs consistently regardless of message.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the text amendment to City Council with two changes: allow temporary/off‑premise signs for 21 days in a given posting window, and require removal within 10 days of a valid notice/complaint (replacing the draft’s 14/14 approach). The commission voted to recommend the amendment; roll call recorded affirmative votes by Commissioners Turban, Shields, Kreider, Morris, Jordan and Martin.

Key points and clarifications from the hearing: Tom said the city has historically relied on complaint‑driven enforcement for temporary signs and that staff sees temporary political signs remain in place after elections. Commissioners discussed alternate windows (14, 21, 30 days) and enforcement practicability; one commissioner asked whether 7 days had been used previously, but staff did not confirm a past 7‑day standard.

Tom clarified that "changeable copy" refers to signs with letters that can be removed or rearranged (for example, marquee‑style signs). He also explained that the "undeveloped residential" label in the draft does not apply when a lot includes an existing dwelling; the rules apply to the property type as defined on the plat or lot records.

Formal action: the commission voted to recommend that City Council approve the text amendment to Chapter 42 with the changes to temporary sign duration (21 days posting period, 10 days for removal after notice). The commission recorded a unanimous roll call in favor.

Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for public hearing and final adoption. If Council adopts the amendment as recommended, the revised posting and removal periods and frontage calculations will become part of the Rolla City sign regulations.

Clarifying details from the hearing: draft temporary signage change — individual temporary signs allowed up to 32 square feet; ratio changed to 32 square feet per 80 feet of frontage for the category discussed; nonresidential freestanding sign maximum noted as 64 square feet and 15 feet tall; enforcement remains complaint driven; recommended change sets posting at 21 days and removal within 10 days after notice.