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Commission debates 30‑day limit for temporary signs, tighter rules for inflatables and repeat offenders
Summary
The commission reviewed revisions to the town sign code, discussing a proposed 30‑day pre‑event limit (and 5‑day post‑event removal), whether inflatable devices should be prohibited or separately regulated, and stricter, faster removal and escalating fines for repeat violators.
The Pilot Client Commission discussed proposed changes to the town’s sign code, focusing on time limits for temporary signs, how to treat inflatable devices, and enforcement for repeat offenders.
Asia Isles, a commission member, said she could not find the term “high intensity lamps” in Skagit County code and noted the draft might instead refer to “high intensity discharge bulbs,” leaving uncertainty about the draft language’s technical target. "I couldn't find high intensity lamps to find anywhere in Skagit County code," Asia Isles said, asking the group to clarify whether the draft meant a specific bulb type or high‑intensity lighting more generally.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the current draft defines a temporary sign as "displayed for a limited time only" but lacks a hard pre‑activity time limit, which can allow banners and 'coming soon' signage to remain on view far longer than intended. The commission explored adding concrete limits so temporary promotional displays are time‑bounded and enforceable.
Discussion and proposals: Commissioners proposed several options for temporary signs tied to activities or new businesses. The most frequently suggested approach was to cap large temporary signs (for example, over 16 square feet) at 30 days before the related activity and require removal within five days after the activity ends. "We'd say temporary signs larger than 16 square feet to be placed not more than 30 days from the start of the activity ... and to be removed within 5 days following the cessation of the activity," Asia Isles suggested.
Inflatables: The commission debated whether inflatable devices should be explicitly prohibited or put into a separate, detailed regulation. One committee member noted the range of technical and safety issues inflatables raise — insurance requirements, wind‑speed removal thresholds and size limits — and urged clearer language. "If inflatable signs are allowed, there's a lot of regulation that goes around them," the member said, and added they had pulled examples from other jurisdictions.
Enforcement and repeat offenders: Commissioners reviewed the removal window for unlawfully installed permanent signs and discussed shortening the current 30‑day timeline. Staff said the town currently issues certified‑mail notices and that civil penalties in the code start at $100 per day for a first violation and $200 per day for a second violation. Commissioners discussed reducing the post‑notice removal window for some violations (one suggestion: 5 business days or 10 calendar days) and accelerating penalties for repeat offenders so the required removal period shrinks with each successive violation.
What was not decided: The commission did not adopt final language or a formal motion on the sign‑code changes during this meeting. Commissioners asked staff to draft clarified language — including an explicit pre‑activity time limit for temporary signs, clearer inflatable provisions (either a prohibition or a separate regulatory section), and options for shorter removal windows and progressive penalties for repeat violators — for a future meeting.
Next steps: Staff said they will revise the draft to add clearer definitions and the proposed time limits and will return the chapter for further consideration.
Sources: Discussion and direct quotes from the Pilot Client Commission meeting transcript.
