Porterville council directs staff to simplify sign rules; public hearing set

The City Council on Aug. 19 directed staff to proceed with a comprehensive simplification of the city’s sign rules and to set a public hearing for a revised Porterville Development Ordinance (Article 305) at a September meeting.

Planning staff said the proposed changes remove or simplify many provisions unrelated to public safety and retain only requirements intended to protect visibility, structural soundness and emergency access. Among the changes discussed were elimination of permit requirements for certain temporary and incidental signs, expanded allowances for wall‑mounted and fascia signs, consolidated size and height limits, and a simplified banner approval process.

During public comment and council discussion business owners and a property owner raised questions about A-frame (sandwich board) signage, window coverage and allowable materials. Ken Widman, a property owner who said he represents tenants, asked whether some tenant storefronts could place a second A-frame sign on an entry stoop when one sign is already placed at the sidewalk; staff and the ordinance consultant said the draft limits sidewalk A‑frames to one per business but that council could authorize a second sign adjacent to a business entrance. Council directed staff to draft language allowing two A-frame signs per business—only one placed in sidewalk right-of-way—with passability and ADA clearance requirements.

Council also asked staff to consider extending temporary sign allowances for new businesses; council instructed staff to include an option for longer temporary sign periods (council discussion suggested up to 1 year) for new businesses and to return a noticed ordinance adoption hearing at the second council meeting in September. The council did not adopt the ordinance the same night; staff will publish the required hearing notice and return proposed code language for formal consideration.