Hurricane council limits electronic sign screens to 100 square feet, approves sign ordinance

The Hurricane City Council approved an amendment to the city’s sign ordinance that sets the base size for electronic messaging center screens at 100 square feet and removes an automatic expansion process, leaving larger displays possible only through development agreements or conditional use processes.

Staff planner Fred summarized the ordinance changes, saying the rule would start at a 100-square-foot electronic screen for parcels with up to 200 feet of frontage and allow an additional 50 square feet for each additional 200 feet of frontage up to a 200-square-foot maximum. "About a 100 square feet is gonna be larger than just about anything that's been put up except for the Coral Cliffs sign," Fred said while showing recent examples and permit measurements.

Council members debated whether frontage is the right metric to determine screen size. Councilman Preet argued for measurable standards tied to frontage or similar clear metrics, while another council member suggested considering economic impact as a basis for exceptions. Councilman Emily moved to approve the ordinance with a caveat fixing the electronic component at 100 square feet; Councilman Preet seconded the motion.

During roll call, Councilman Emily and Councilman Preet voted yes, Councilmen Ellerman and Nixel voted no, and Councilwoman Eric voted yes. The motion carried 3–2. The council left a path for larger signs through development agreements when the city finds a specific economic-development justification.

What happens next: The ordinance language as approved will be incorporated into Title 10, Chapter 36. Staff and applicants seeking larger electronic displays can pursue conditional use permits or development agreements where the council has the discretion to permit larger signage.