Ordinance committee forwards amended sign code allowing limited weekend right‑of‑way signs, bans them in El Pueblo Viejo

The Santa Barbara City Ordinance Committee on May 13 voted 2‑1 to send proposed amendments to Chapter 22.7 of the municipal code to the full City Council for introduction and adoption, including a new, limited allowance for temporary private signs in the public right of way outside the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District.

Assistant City Attorney John Damas told the committee the draft is intended to be content‑neutral to meet recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent and to give staff enforceable tools. "This will allow temporary private off‑site signs to be placed in the right of way so long as they meet the following criteria," Damas said during the presentation, and then outlined size, placement and timing limits.

Under the committee‑recommended draft, allowed private temporary signs must be placed in a parkway portion of the right of way (the area that is neither roadway nor sidewalk), be free‑standing (not attached to utility poles), and meet size limits set out in the draft. Staff described the time limit as a 42‑hour weekend window beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and ending by 9 p.m. Sunday. The draft sets a maximum height…