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Council to redraft sign ordinance after debate over unauthorized off‑premise signs and enforcement
Summary
Councilmembers debated a proposed ordinance targeting unauthorized, off‑premise signage and requiring a responsible/authorizing party be listed on such signs to speed enforcement; concerns about enforcement on non‑city right‑of‑way and unintended impacts on small businesses prompted the council to ask staff to produce a consolidated ordinance for a vote on July 21.
Star council members spent substantial time discussing a proposed ordinance designed to curb unauthorized off‑premise signs and improve enforcement. The draft would define “unauthorized sign” to include portable, banner, feather flag, trailer or similar displays placed on public property, rights‑of‑way or private property without permission, and would require those signs to display the responsible and authorizing party so code enforcement can verify permission.
Councilman Christian Nielsen framed the issue as one of property and public‑space management: “Get permission to put your sign where you wanna put it. And if you don't get permission, then code enforcement and city employees can take it down,” he told the council. The council also discussed how the city would act when signs sit in rights‑of‑way controlled by outside agencies such as ITD or ACHD; the police chief explained the city could enforce if those agencies provide blanket authorization or if property owners request enforcement.
Members asked staff to combine redlines and addenda submitted by Councilwoman Solomonson and others into a single, consolidated ordinance and return it for formal consideration. The council voted to table the ordinance to allow staff to bring back a final draft for the next meeting (July 21).
Why it matters: Councilmembers said the change is intended to tackle the proliferation of unauthorized advertising that citizens and business owners report as visual clutter and an enforcement burden, while not penalizing lawful on‑site business signage. The chief noted enforcement often depends on a property owner or right‑of‑way owner confirming they did not authorize the sign, and recommended coordinated agreements with HOAs and right‑of‑way agencies to streamline enforcement.
Vote: The council voted to table the sign ordinance and asked staff and council representatives to prepare a consolidated draft for the next meeting.
