Commission debates off‑premise signs and potential grandfathering as sign code is updated

Parowan staff raised a gap in the draft sign ordinance: it did not address off‑premise advertising signs (billboards and similar displays) that currently exist in several locations around town.

Staff proposed a working definition for an off‑premise sign — a sign that advertises a business, product, event, or service not located on the same premises as the sign — and asked commissioners whether such signs should be prohibited, allowed with limitations, or generally permitted subject to standards. Commissioners pointed to a cluster of framed temporary signs near the Maverick site and debated whether long‑standing temporary or semi‑permanent advertising should be grandfathered as legal nonconforming signs. One commissioner suggested conditioning continued signage on an active local business license; staff said it would research the legal issues and return with guidance.

The commission did not adopt a policy tonight but directed staff to include off‑premise sign standards (size, number, zoning districts, setbacks) in the draft ordinance and to bring photographic examples to the next meeting.