Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sign Regulations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Georgetown commission approves ordinance removing time limits on political signs
Summary
The planning commission recommended approval of Ordinance 2025-09 to eliminate the 60-day-before/7-day-after time window for political signs, citing First Amendment considerations; the measure passed by roll call after staff explained the change.
The planning commission voted to approve an amendment to the town sign code that removes a time-based limit on political signs.
A town staff member (Speaker 3) told the commission the amendment to Ordinance 2025-09 would delete subsection A of Chapter 230, section 177, which previously limited political signs to no more than 60 days before an election and up to seven days after. "So the proposal is actually to remove the time period for display," Speaker 3 said, adding that subsection B would remain, renumbered.
Speaker 3 described the change as a content-neutral adjustment driven in part by constitutional concerns: "I believe the purpose of this is to is sort of a First Amendment issue," they said, noting courts have been skeptical of time restrictions on political speech.
Commissioner (Speaker 2) asked who had drafted the ordinance; Speaker 3 said the town manager prepared the language. After brief clarifying comments about formatting and numbering, Speaker 2 moved to approve the amendment to Ordinance 2025-09 and Speaker 1 seconded. A roll-call vote was taken. The meeting recorded "Aye" responses for Commissioner Roach and Commissioner Allen and the chair announced the motion approved.
The ordinance change amends the general sign regulations to remove the explicit time window for political signs while retaining other content-neutral restrictions (such as prohibitions in the public right of way and rules to avoid traffic obstruction). The commission did not identify any immediate implementation steps beyond updating the code language; staff indicated non-substantive numbering/format edits would be coordinated with the town manager.
The measure will proceed to the council process where the council will consider the ordinance as part of its legislative schedule.
