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Council adopts sign‑code edits, delays political‑sign ordinance for legal review
Summary
Council approved amendments to the city sign code (Ordinance 17‑56) with a clarification to exclude handheld/carry signs from new size/placement limits and continued the companion ordinance on political signage (Ordinance 17‑57) to the next meeting so staff can verify alignment with state election law.
Oviedo — On May 5 the Oviedo City Council adopted an amendment to the city’s sign regulations (Ordinance 17‑56) and directed staff to clarify one point before forwarding a second, related ordinance on political signage.
Ordinance 17‑56 updates Article 14 of the Land Development Code governing temporary signs. During a brief public hearing attorney and resident David Williamson urged the council to make clear that the technical size and setback standards in the ordinance do not apply to handheld or carried campaign signs. Council accepted that amendment; the council’s motion added language exempting carried signs from the code‑size and placement limits.
On a related measure, city staff asked to continue Ordinance 17‑57, which would tighten rules on political signs and set removal authority for nonconforming signs on city property. Resident David Williamson told the council that portions of the proposed political‑sign ordinance may conflict with state election law (Florida Statute 102.031) that limits how far property owners or election officials may restrict political speech near polling places and public‑use polling locations. Because of those concerns the council continued Ordinance 17‑57 to the May 19 meeting to allow staff and legal counsel to confirm compliance with state election statutes and to refine right‑of‑way language raised during the public hearing.
Why it matters
The sign‑code amendment clarifies how technical sign standards apply to handheld signage commonly seen during election periods and public demonstrations. The political‑sign ordinance would change how and when campaign signs may be placed on city property and grant city code enforcement or staff limited authority to remove nonconforming signs on city‑owned property; however, because state law uses specific protections for access and soliciting near polling places, the council paused on final adoption until legal compatibility can be confirmed.
Next steps
- Ordinance 17‑57 (political signs on city property) was continued to the May 19 council meeting for legal review and possible amendment. - Staff was asked to work with the city attorney and to coordinate with the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections to ensure the city ordinance does not conflict with state election statutes.
Speakers and sources for the record included resident and attorney David Williamson, city staff and council members.
