Auburn staff to draft repeal of political-sign timing rules after court ruling makes portions unenforceable

City Manager Crouse told the Auburn City Council on June 2 that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling means the city's rules limiting when political signs may be displayed are no longer enforceable in their current form. "Because of Reed v. Town of Gilbert," Crouse said, "all signs have to be content-neutral," adding that "we legally can't" enforce the 30-day-before / seven-day-after timing restrictions as currently written.

The discussion arose during a Committee of the Whole review of board appointments and code topics. Crouse said staff and legal counsel recommend removing the timing provisions from city code to avoid confusing property owners and placing staff in the position of enforcing an unenforceable rule. He told councilors staff would "gently remind citizens" about expectations but would not remove signs on private property. "Inspection Services picks up on the right-of-way," a staff member clarified.

Councilors and staff also discussed whether the city should publish voluntary guidance for candidates on reasonable timelines for sign placement and removal. Crouse offered to draft two items: "one under ordinances to repeal" the timing provisions and "a separate action under probably just regular resolutions" that would memorialize suggested etiquette for candidates. He said he would email the draft ordinance to council members and bring the item back for council review at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The change would remove a requirement that signs be erected only 30 days before an election and removed seven days after, language that the city manager described as inconsistent with current constitutional standards for content neutrality. Any repeal would be an amendment to local city code and return to council for formal action; staff said enforcement practices for signs in public rights of way (for example, behind curb lines or utility poles) would remain in place.