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Council discusses limits on political signage at City Hall, asks staff to draft policy
Summary
Councilmembers discussed whether to allow political campaign signs on city property; City Attorney Tysen Barker advised that allowing signs would require equal access and content-neutral rules and could create the appearance of endorsement. Council generally favored limiting non-City signage and directed staff to prepare a formal policy.
Grantsville City staff asked the council on June 3 for direction about permitting political campaign signs on City-owned property, including at City Hall. City Attorney Tysen Barker advised the council that permitting political signs would require the city to allow equal access to all candidates and causes, that any policy must be content-neutral, and that allowing signs could create the appearance of City endorsement. Barker added that the city could lawfully prohibit non-City signage if the prohibition served a legitimate governmental purpose and was applied uniformly.
Councilmembers discussed the risk of City property becoming cluttered with unattended campaign signs, potential requests for other types of non-City signage, and the difference between permanently placed signs and individuals holding signs during temporary events. Several councilmembers indicated support for limiting signage at City facilities to City-sponsored events and discouraging unattended campaign signs. Staff said it would prepare a formal policy or ordinance for future council consideration; no action was taken at the meeting.
