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Pinetop-Lakeside planning commission recommends amending sign code to align with state law
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 11 to recommend that the town council amend the sign code to reflect state requirements for political signs (ARS 16-1019), set size limits, and prohibit signs that create traffic hazards; the recommendation passed with one abstention.
The Pinetop-Lakeside Planning and Zoning Commission on June 11 recommended that the Town Council amend Town Code Title 17, Chapter 17.108.050 to align the town’s rules on political signs with state law and limit safety hazards.
Town attorney William (Bill) Sims told the commission that the Arizona Legislature adopted a statute requiring municipalities to allow political signs in the public right-of-way during a 71-day pre-election period and that the town’s ordinance must be reconciled with that statute. Sims advised the commission to apply content-neutral, safety-focused rules (for example, prohibiting signs that create vision obstructions or other traffic hazards) rather than subjective content-based limits. "The state legislature adopted a statute that requires you to allow political signs in the right-of-way during a 71-day period," Sims said, urging the commission to approve the staff-drafted amendment.
After a public hearing, property owner Pat D. Roger told the commission the rewritten ordinance will provide clarity, align local rules with state law and reduce harassment over private political signs. "I am a voter in the town Pinetop Lakeside as well as owning commercial and residential properties within town limits," Roger said, adding that clearer rules would help eliminate "confusion, hatred, anger, and harassment" related to political signage.
A commissioner moved to recommend that the council amend the code to permit political signs of up to 16 square feet in residential zones and up to 32 square feet in nonresidential zones during election campaigns; require compliance with ARS 16-1019; permit freestanding or wall-mounted signs (but not roof-mounted signs); and prohibit signs affixed to utility poles or traffic signs or that present a traffic hazard or vision obstruction. The motion passed with one abstention.
The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final adoption would require Town Council consideration. The commission also asked staff to incorporate clarifying language removing any implication that the town could regulate the content of private-front-yard signage beyond size and safety limits.
