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Council reverts sign rules, disallows political signs in town right-of-way during election season
Summary
Council approved an amendment to revert political-sign rules to pre-2023 standards and explicitly disallow political signs in town right-of-way during election season; planning board had recommended denial but council passed the change after discussion.
Sunset Beach council approved a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (Article 3) to revert political-sign rules to the standards that existed before the 2023 zoning update and to disallow political signs in town right-of-way during election season.
Planning staff explained the proposal would restore the prior standard under which political signage was not permitted in town-maintained right-of-way; planning board had recommended denial by a 4-to-1 vote, but staff brought the change to council after council members requested review. Staff and several council members explained the town's rules differ from state rules for state right-of-way and defended the local restriction as a means to prevent unwanted signage in front of private residences and to reduce disputes.
One council member described past practice as working "very well" and emphasized the town can control local, town-maintained streets even where state roads have different allowances. The amendment language (UDO 3.41.C.1.S) was moved, seconded and approved at the May 5 meeting; council read the required consistency statement before voting and found the amendment neither consistent nor inconsistent with the 2017 land-use plan but in the public interest.
The transcript records the council's approval but does not include a roll-call tally in the packeted minutes; the ordinance change will be implemented through the town's UDO procedures.
