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Salem business owner says sign-code enforcement forced costly move
Summary
Sherry Shaw, a recent Ward 1 business owner, told the council she faced 'thousands' of dollars in fines and legal fees under the city's sign-code enforcement and moved her business rather than continue the dispute; she urged the city to include business owners in any sign-code reform.
At the end of the Jan. 12 meeting, business owner Sherry Shaw told the council she faced thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees stemming from a dispute over sign permits and that she felt pressured by city staff and attorneys to apply for additional permits to stop enforcement.
"We were looking at tens of thousands of dollars of fines," Shaw said, describing a hearings meeting where a deputy city attorney offered to stop fines if she signed for another permit. Shaw said the situation led her landlord to ask her to leave, and she relocated the business to South Salem without visible signage because she is afraid to re-enter the permitting process.
Shaw urged the council to involve business owners in sign-code reform and to understand that the practical effects of enforcement and late notices can force businesses to move or close. Councilors thanked Shaw for her testimony and Councilor Brown asked staff to follow up; City Manager Krista Nambury has indicated staff will bring proposals addressing sign-code and permitting processes.
Shaw said she paid thousands of dollars in attorney fees and that the dispute remains a cautionary example for other small-business operators navigating city codes.
City officials did not dispute Shaw's account at the meeting; councilors expressed sympathy and said staff would investigate and report back.
