Lebanon council rescinds window-sign ordinance after debate over unintended impacts

The Lebanon City Council voted to rescind Ordinance 25-71-59, the recent window-sign rule restricting neon and LED signs, after council members said the measure had unintended consequences for longstanding local businesses.

The vote followed more than an hour of discussion in which council members described the ordinance as well-intentioned but vague, and said it had reached unexpected businesses such as Snow White and some donut and drive‑in restaurants. Mayor Rick Bell cast the deciding vote after the roll call produced an apparent tie.

Councilors who spoke during the debate said the ordinance targeted certain storefront lighting and vape-shop signage but had not anticipated older, historically significant neon signs or single open/lottery signs used by some small businesses. Councilor Bridal invited affected business owners to seek variances, and multiple members urged a broader review rather than a sudden enforcement action.

Several council members proposed alternatives: some urged allowing the Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) to handle variance requests, others urged scrapping and rewriting the ordinance. Mayor Bell directed staff to schedule a council work session to rewrite the ordinance with full council participation.

The council suspended the usual rules and then moved to rescind Ordinance 25-71-59. The motion passed; the council will consider a replacement ordinance in a later session. Officials said Snow White—whose signage prompted several comments—would not be forced to remove signage before the council reworks the law.

Councilors emphasized their intent was not to harm small businesses and said the city would work with owners who seek variances.

The rescission is procedural at this stage: a second reading or follow-up action will appear on a future agenda as required by municipal process.