Lake County planners present draft sign code rewrite; commission flags content‑neutrality, vehicle signs and illumination for further work

County planning staff presented a draft replacement of Lake County’s sign code at the Jan. 13 meeting, outlining new categories, size and height limits, illumination rules and prohibited sign types. Staff said the rewrite is intended to be more user‑friendly and to comply with content‑neutral requirements established by court decisions involving signage and speech.

Melissa, planning department staff, told the commission the department researched sign codes from Breckenridge, Buena Vista and Platteville and is seeking legal review to ensure the draft is content neutral. She said the revision uses charts and graphics to simplify standards and that staff extended the sign moratorium to March to allow time for public outreach and legal checks.

Key elements discussed by staff and commission members included: • Signs that do not require a permit: Staff proposed keeping exemptions for public notices, seasonal decorations, interior window signage (limited to 50% of each window panel) and yard signs, while clarifying size, placement and time limits. The draft currently allows yard signs in residential areas with limits described during discussion; commissioners suggested staff refine time limits to avoid…