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Council reviews first reading of broad sign-code rewrite affecting commercial and temporary signs
Summary
City staff presented proposed amendments to Chapter 7 (sign regulations) including new limits for temporary commercial signs, rules for awning signage, digital-monument message timing, and a process for murals; this was a first reading and will return for a second reading.
City staff presented a comprehensive set of proposed amendments to Chapter 7 (sign regulations) at the Sept. 3 meeting, describing changes for monument signs, digital message timing, awning signs, multi-tenant developments, commercial real-estate temporary signs, and public-art murals.
Ben Bridal, director of community development, said the package replaces the existing Chapter 7 with clarified language and several policy changes: administrative official will be the reviewer for permits instead of the building official; curbside pickup/reserved-parking signage would be expressly added to the list of exempt signs; schools and similar institutional signs could change digital messages every 15 seconds (instead of the standard 30 seconds); multifamily sign maximum area set to 44 square feet; new standards for awning signs limiting text to business name and requiring permits for new awnings; and a requirement that multi-tenant wall signage be consistent in color and sizing.
A significant change would regulate temporary commercial real-estate signs and banners: staff proposed a 9-square-foot limit and 4-foot height for ground signs or building-mounted temporary signs, with permits required for ground/short-term signs and a 30‑day duration with extensions available. Planning and Zoning recommended aligning residential real-estate temporary sign standards with the proposed commercial standard; staff said it will update the draft to reflect council feedback.
The draft also added an “obsolete signs” enforcement provision to require property owners to remove dilapidated or misleading signs, and administrative review language for murals while preserving an appeals route to the sign-board-of-appeals and, if needed, to council. Council members asked staff to provide photo examples of typical temporary sign sizes (3x3, 4x3, 4x4) ahead of second reading to ensure clarity.
The item was presented as a first reading and no vote was taken; staff and planning commission recommended approval of the revisions as drafted with minor edits to be made for the second reading.
