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River Heights planning commission forwards revised sign code to public hearing Oct. 14
Summary
The River Heights City Planning Commission on Sept. 23 voted to refer a rewritten sign code to a public hearing set for Oct. 14, after staff presented a consolidated draft intended to clarify temporary, political and home-occupation signage rules.
The River Heights City Planning Commission on Sept. 23 voted to send a proposed rewrite of the city’s sign regulations to a public hearing scheduled for Oct. 14.
City planning staff member Sheila presented a consolidated draft adapted from Providence’s code and River Heights’ current rules to make sign standards easier to read and enforce. The draft reorganizes rules into clear categories (temporary/portable yard signs, political signage, home-occupation signage and commercial signage) and specifies dimensions, display durations and location rules.
Commissioners raised several practical questions while reviewing the draft, including how the rules would apply to church signs, school banners and corner lots that can display signs on two street frontages. One commissioner asked how multiple “for sale” signs or election signs on a corner property would be treated; staff noted temporary yard signs are limited to 72 continuous hours in the draft, while other categories have separate limits.
Commissioner discussion also touched on enforcement: several commissioners said they preferred a firmer written standard rather than “loosey-goosey” practice and suggested adding a compliance pathway that allows the council to grant exceptions for requests outside the code. Commissioners discussed that some long-standing signs (for example, a church sign that appears larger than the proposed limits) may be effectively grandfathered, and that staff should handle one-off questions and direct applicants to council when needed.
After review, the commission voted to move the draft forward to a public hearing so the council and public can consider it; staff said the draft would replace the existing Chapter 16 and Title 10 sign provisions if adopted. The commission requested that staff verify cross-jurisdictional issues for signs located on or near the county line and confirmed staff will supply hearing notices in time for the Oct. 14 hearing.
What happens next: the proposed sign code will be the subject of a public hearing on Oct. 14. Staff said the draft will be reviewed by city council and that commissioners and members of the public may suggest revisions at the hearing.
Votes at a glance
- Proposed sign code rewrite — Referred to public hearing on Oct. 14.
