Hubbard County reviews draft sign lease policy for tax‑forfeited and county lands

County staff presented a draft sign lease policy at the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners work session on Feb. 11 that would permit a single leased advertising/directional structure per lease site on county lands, limit lease sites to a 300‑square‑foot footprint and restrict sign height to 15 feet.

The policy is intended to give non‑profits and businesses a controlled way to sign access to recreational sites and attractions on or behind tax‑forfeited land and county road corridors. Staff said the draft borrows specifications from state DOT guidance and neighboring counties and includes annual inspection, a right of county removal for abandoned or deteriorated signs, and split of lease revenue to local taxing districts.

Commissioners stressed the need for clearer purpose language and tighter limits. One commissioner said the county must guard against a proliferation of small billboard‑style signs and recommended tying approvals to a demonstrated lack of other directional options. Board members debated fees: staff proposed an initial application fee (suggested figures ranged from $25 to $100) and an annual payment the board discussed keeping at $50 to cover inspection and administration.

Key elements in the draft include a requirement that content and placement be approved by Hubbard County; a provision allowing the county to cancel leases with a notice period and to remove structures if lessees fail to comply; an annual inspection; and a clause requiring lessees not to remove or damage live trees without written permission and stumpage payment. Staff said existing, long‑standing signs on county lands could be grandfathered but that new signs should meet the tighter standards.

Commissioners asked staff to add an opening purpose paragraph that explicitly allows signs only where there are no reasonable alternative routes or ways to inform the public. Board members also asked staff to clarify whether temporary or political signs would be allowed (a majority favored excluding temporary election signs from the lease program and handling those under other ordinances) and to specify how lease fees will be collected and distributed to townships and school districts.

Next steps: staff will revise the draft to add a clear intent statement, tighten language on permissible content and placement, and return to the board for further review; no formal action was taken at the work session.