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Balcones Heights planners discuss loosening temporary sign rules to help small businesses
Summary
Staff reviewed temporary‑sign regulations — $50 permit, 30‑day text display, 180 cumulative days per year, two signs at a time — and commissioners asked staff to draft tiered permit and fee options, including possible longer display periods and taller allowable signs in the Hillcrest District.
Planning staff presented details of the city’s temporary sign ordinance and commissioners discussed potential changes aimed at making the rules more usable for small businesses.
Nick, the city planner, outlined the current ordinance: a $50 permit covers a 30‑day display period; a single sign’s text may be displayed no more than 30 days per calendar year and a location may display temporary signs a cumulative 180 days per year; no more than two temporary signs may be displayed simultaneously; and a 14‑day waiting period applies before the same property may receive another temporary sign permit after expiration. He told commissioners that current height and setback limits, particularly in the Hillcrest District, effectively prevent many businesses from using temporary banners or feather flags.
Business‑facing commissioners and a local business owner said the combination of tight height limits, 30‑day windows and reprinting costs creates a burden. One commissioner suggested a tiered permitting approach (30/60/90 days) with proportional fees so businesses could choose longer display periods without reprinting monthly. Staff noted that the city council sets the fee schedule but that the commission can recommend changes; staff committed to return next month with draft options and a comparison of neighboring rules, including Alamo Heights.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a proposal with tiered permit lengths and fee comparisons for discussion at the next meeting.
