Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Code Signs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
River Heights Council approves revised sign ordinance after debate over limits on yard signs
Summary
After public comment and planning commission review, the River Heights City Council approved a revised sign ordinance that removes a single-sign-per-parcel limit, clarifies right-of-way rules and sets election-period timing for political signs, adopting staff edits and directing final text changes before publication.
River Heights, Utah — The River Heights City Council voted Feb. 17 to approve revisions to the city’s sign ordinance after an extended discussion about temporary yard signs, political signage and enforcement.
Mayor Blake Scribe and members of the planning commission had circulated two drafts: the commission’s version and a version with edits prepared by recorder Sheila Lehi. Public commenters raised First Amendment concerns about numeric limits and time restrictions. Jamie Salter, a resident who addressed the council during public comment, cited Reed v. Gilbert and warned that overly prescriptive rules could raise legal challenges.
Council member Mark Malmstrom summarized the planning commission’s intent to simplify confusing terminology and to treat temporary and portable signage under a single framework. Lehi’s edits clarified that signs are not permitted in public rights of way (subject to state law changes) and replaced language that had said the city would “restrict” sign use with wording to “regulate” it.
Members removed a proposed provision that would have limited temporary yard signs to a single freestanding sign per parcel and struck a strict 72‑hour limit for some temporary signs. For political signage, the council agreed to permit signs during the pre‑election period beginning up to 90 days before a primary, general or special election and required removal within one week after the general or special election. The council directed staff to adjust inconsistent terminology (for example, replacing “heritage” with “rest of the city” in other related materials) before final publication.
Mayor Scribe said the changes aim to balance residents’ ability to express themselves with the city’s interest in avoiding nuisance signage. The council approved the ordinance as discussed, with Sheila Lehi and the planning commission to finalize language and conform cross‑references. The motion passed by council vote and the ordinance will be posted with the revised language and the required public-notice dates before formal adoption steps.
