Schertz council directs staff to enforce current temporary-sign rules until UDC rewrite; balloon signs to be removed

The City of Schertz instructed staff March 18 to enforce the existing Unified Development Code language for temporary signs while a full Article 11 rewrite proceeds, meaning balloon and inflatable signs are to be removed and feather flags remain generally prohibited until council adopts updated regulations.

At a workshop presentation, Planning Division staff member Delgado summarized prior meetings and proposed new temporary-sign rules that had been discussed since November 2024. Delgado said the draft rewrite would prohibit balloon and inflatable signs regardless of size, permit only feather flags among wind-driven signs subject to new area and height limits, and shorten allowable durations for most temporary signs.

Rebecca, the Neighborhood Services manager, told council that in current limited enforcement the city had typically removed only those signs placed in the right-of-way; staff estimate “probably 60 to a hundred plus feather flags” are installed without permits. Delgado outlined three enforcement options: (1) revert to current UDC enforcement (permit required; balloon signs prohibited), (2) begin enforcing the February draft now (prohibit all balloon signs and require permits for feather flags with a 14‑day annual allowance), or (3) enforce only signs in the right-of-way or those creating hazards until the rewrite is adopted.

Council direction and rationale Several council members said they preferred immediate clarity and enforcement. Council Member Macaluso said he wanted to “keep it how it is until we figure out what we want to do,” noting that lack of enforcement invites proliferation. Council Member Davis said he was concerned about applying a traffic-safety rationale to feather flags that sit far from the roadway. Council members Guerrero and Westbrook supported a clear interim rule. Mayor and a majority of council coalesced around option 1: enforce existing UDC prohibitions so staff will require removal of balloon signs and act on unpermitted feather flags under current code until the new Article 11 is adopted.

Timing Staff said the full Article 11 rewrite is expected in May or June; staff and council agreed to treat June as a conservative target for final adoption. Under the option chosen, staff will resume broader enforcement of the existing code and notify businesses that balloon/inflatable signs without permits must be removed. Rebecca said businesses typically comply when asked.

Ending Council provided staff direction to enforce the current UDC on temporary signs until the new Article 11 language is adopted; staff will return with the complete rewrite for council action in the coming months.