Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Home Signs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hooper council agrees to study larger home-occupation signs after resident inquiry
Summary
Council members discussed a request from a resident for a larger home-business sign, reviewed Hooper City Code 10-4-58’s 2-square-foot limit and agreed to place the issue on a future agenda for more community input and staff recommendations.
Council members and city staff discussed a resident’s request to allow larger signs for home-based businesses and agreed to bring the matter back for more study and public input.
The matter arose when a resident asked whether a home-business nameplate could exceed the 2-square-foot size currently allowed under Hooper City Code 10-4-58. City staff noted the code permits one accessory nameplate for a home occupation and explicitly sets the limit at 2 square feet, and council members said the size limit makes small nameplates hard to see from the roadway.
Council members said they had seen small yard signs attached to residences and that some residents want clearer signage for businesses located on or near busy streets. One council member suggested the city could consider larger size allowances in some locations but expressed concern about maintaining a residential character. Another council member suggested an intermediate size — for example, up to about 8 square feet — while still keeping standards that preserve neighborhood appearance.
Council direction and next steps: the council agreed to place the topic on a future agenda so staff can gather sample sign sizes used by other cities, review neighbors’ notification or consent options, and draft recommended rule changes or conditional-use language. No formal ordinance change or vote occurred during the meeting; council members described the decision as a direction to staff to research options and return with proposals.
Why it matters: the item affects home-based businesses that rely on visible signage to inform customers and may require balancing small-business visibility with neighbors’ expectations about residential streetscapes. Any change would require an amendment to local sign rules and likely include public notice or neighbor input.
What the record shows: staff cited Hooper City Code 10-4-58 (home signs) as the controlling provision and told the council that current language permits one accessory nameplate not to exceed 2 square feet. Council members asked staff to look at conditional or alternative rules for residential areas and for examples from other nearby jurisdictions.
