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Council directs staff to draft tighter rules for feather flags; staff to propose objective permit limits
Summary
Council members asked staff to prepare zoning-code changes to limit commercial feather flags to a shorter duration and fewer flags per property, and staff will return with draft ordinance language designed to be enforceable.
The City Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the zoning code to curtail the use of commercial feather flags by adding objective limits on duration and number. The discussion followed a staff report that summarized the current practice and the 2010 policy that allowed up to 10 feather flags and 120 days per year under a temporary use permit.
Planning and Development Director Joanne Colletta explained the current regulatory framework: banners can be attached to buildings under a banner permit for up to 180 days, other temporary devices (roof balloons, pennants, feather flags) are issued under a temporary use permit (TUP), and the TUP policy adopted in 2010 set maintenance, spacing (15 feet apart), a 10-flag cap and 120 days per year as a guideline. Colletta told the council the number of feather-flag TUPs has risen slightly since 2022.
Council member Wes introduced the request citing visual blight and the deterioration of long-standing flags; he proposed limiting flags to five per property and restricting them to special events for 60 days. Public commenters supported stricter controls; one speaker, Don Fuller, said the devices make properties look like a “low-rent used car lot” and recommended 30–60 day limits and smaller flag sizes.
Council members stressed the need for any change to be objectively enforceable and not to create an undue code-enforcement burden. Staff said the city’s permitting software already records permit dates and that enforcement practice is to notify owners and require removal if a flag lacks permit coverage; staff cannot remove items on private property without following legal procedures. Planning staff offered specific draft options for council consideration including an annual banner-like permit, maximum counts per property, maximum height limits (commonly 8–16 feet) and limiting permitted messages to event/temporary promotions (to avoid use as a permanent advertising sign).
Council generally agreed on a shorter duration and asked staff to return with ordinance language reflecting a 60-day limit and objective standards for count, height and permit filing to make enforcement straightforward.
