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Bertram council amends sign code to allow two temporary promotional signs per year with $25 permit
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 215-072826 to allow businesses two temporary promotional signs per year with a $25 annual permit and new language requiring signs be kept in "serviceable condition." Local merchants urged lower fees and clarity on inflatable/moving signs prior to the vote.
The City Council of Bertram on Aug. 11 approved Ordinance 215-072826 to amend the city sign code, authorizing businesses to display up to two temporary promotional signs per year under an annual $25 permit and adding a requirement that temporary signs be maintained in "serviceable condition." The ordinance also clarifies that signs placed in TxDOT right-of-way remain prohibited without separate permission.
Ted, the city’s code-enforcement officer, told the council the update was prompted by businesses along Vaughn Street and Highway 29 that previously could not use roadside promotional signage and that the amendment would allow them to secure permits and gain visibility. A local business owner said the current mix of fees and enforcement practices has been burdensome and asked for lenience during the transition: "Y'all are gonna kill us by $35 here, $10 here, and $20 here," the business owner said, arguing a single annual fee would be more practical for small operators.
Council members debated details including whether inflatable or moving signs should be allowed near the highway, how to prevent temporary signs from becoming permanent, and whether inspectors would need to visit sites. Staff proposed adding permit language requiring signs be kept in a serviceable condition and suggested a yearly check or permit-marking approach so inspectors could identify current permits. The motion to approve the ordinance with the $25 annual fee and the new verbiage was moved by Betty Predmore, seconded by Tracy, and passed.
The ordinance establishes an annual permit window that expires Dec. 31 and renews Jan. 1, during which a business may have the two authorized temporary signs for the year; staff said signs still must respect TxDOT right-of-way limits and that written permission from property owners is required for signs on private property. The council directed staff to add the serviceable-condition language to the application and to consider a simple visual marking or checklist to aid enforcement.
