Valley Center council sets Nov. 30 deadline to remove roofing signs from rights-of-way

The Valley Center City Council on Nov. 3 approved a staff recommendation to notify residents and begin removing roofing-contractor signs left in public rights-of-way after Nov. 30, citing high volumes of solicitation signs left after a recent storm.

Kyle, a city staff member, told the council the storm left roofing signs ‘probably on half of those properties,’ that staff removed signs from corners and public property but many remain in rights-of-way. He proposed a public-notice campaign via social media and text messages and said the city would begin removing signs left in the right-of-way after Nov. 30; roofing companies could retrieve signs from the city, he said.

Council member S10 moved to authorize staff to notify residents via social media and MyGov about removing signs from the right-of-way by 11/30/2025 and to authorize staff to remove signs left after that date; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Kyle said the city code allows signs on private property for 14 days after a permit has been issued and noted that solicitor permits issued after the storm are valid for six months. He told council that verifying permit status at each address would require more staff time than the department currently has, so the city will post notice and perform targeted removals while staff are already in neighborhoods.

Council members asked whether the permit notice could be added to printed permit cards; Kyle said the city could pursue updating permit display cards to include the 14-day allowance. He also said signs placed on private property generally will not be removed by the city.

The council’s action directs staff to notify residents and begin removals consistent with existing code; no fine schedule or enforcement amendment was adopted at the meeting. The city clerk indicated signs on private property should be removed by the resident 14 days after roof completion or permit issuance.