WESTMINSTER : Restrictions Placed on Political Signs

The political signs and posters that clutter the city’s landscape during election season will be limited under an ordinance approved by the City Council this week.

Council members have debated the issue since last month, when Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman called the posters “worse than graffiti,” calling for stricter regulations and a limit on the size of candidate signs. During election times, Bohman said, political signs turn city streets into eyesores.

But city attorneys warned that restrictions placed solely on political signs could be viewed by courts as an infringement on protected free speech, and suggested the council apply the regulations to all temporary signs.

Under a new law adopted Tuesday, all banner-type signs will be restricted to a maximum of 40 square feet. Special permission from the city will be required to erect free-standing signs with solid backing over 15 square feet. Often, officials said, poorly constructed wooden signs pose a safety threat during high winds or rain.

Also under the ordinance, political signs must be set back at least five feet from sidewalks or public rights-of-way and must be removed 30 days after the election.

The council also dropped a plan Tuesday to charge residents an inspection fee to determine whether a sign is properly installed. “I don’t want to see people charged for this,” Councilwoman Margie L. Rice said. “That’s just wrong.”

The new regulations apply to private property, officials said, because signs are already banned from public property. However, under the new ordinance, banners placed over streets to advertise city events will be allowed.

Exemptions could be granted on a case-by-case basis to automotive dealers and other businesses who wish to have large signs for sales and other special events, officials said.