River Heights Council adopts tightened sign code after public pushback

River Heights — The River Heights City Council voted Feb. 17 to adopt Ordinance 1-2026, a replacement of the sign chapter of the River Heights City Code intended to simplify rules for temporary, commercial and political signage.

Councilmember Mark Malmstrom moved to adopt the ordinance “with the edits discussed,” and Councilmember Kandi Evans seconded. The motion passed with Evans, Malmstrom, Janet Mathews, Chris Milbank and Lance Pitcher voting in favor and no opposition recorded during the meeting.

Recorder Sheila Lind said the revisions reflect Planning Commission recommendations and were drafted to be less restrictive and easier to interpret. The new chapter addresses temporary yard signs (size and time limits), home-occupation signage and commercial sign permitting; it also preserves the city’s authority to decide on signs not covered explicitly by the code.

Residents raised free-speech concerns during public comment. Jamie Saltern told the council she opposed limits such as “one sign per yard” and warned the restriction could reduce residents’ ability to express political or ideological views. Terry Peery also questioned whether a new ordinance was necessary given the city’s historically low incidence of problematic signs.

Public Works Director Clayten Nelson suggested removing a numerical limit on yard signs, and council members discussed changes to political signage timeframes and the effect of pending state legislation concerning rights-of-way signs.

The adopted text limits temporary yard signs in size (three square feet per exposed face; six square feet if double-sided) and sets a maximum display time in most cases (72 consecutive hours), while providing the city council discretionary authority to permit signs not covered by the chapter. Political signage provisions allow up to three temporary signs per parcel during the 60 days preceding an election but retain location and safety restrictions.

The ordinance was adopted effective Feb. 17, 2026. Council members said the council will monitor implementation and adjust rules as needed if state law changes or enforcement questions arise.

For the record: Ordinance 1-2026 replaces Title 10, Chapter 16 of the River Heights City Code regarding signs. The council adopted it following a Planning Commission process that included a public hearing in October 2025.

What’s next: The council did not indicate any immediate administrative changes beyond publishing the adopted ordinance and enforcing the code under the city’s normal compliance procedures.