Some Churches Get Sign Law Exemption

Churches will be allowed an exemption under the new sign ordinance that permits religious organizations in temporary facilities such as schools to post directional signs, the City Council has decided.

Council members did restrict where the signs could be posted, however, ruling that temporary directional signs could be placed only on private property and excluding them from public land such as street medians.

Temporary signs were restricted as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s sign policy by the council last month.

The new law deals with a variety of situations ranging from garage sales to political campaigns.

Under the ordinance, businesses were allowed special promotional banners only twice a year and for no longer than 30 days at a time.

As originally drafted, the law would have prevented churches in nonpermanent locations from posting directional signs.

Church groups objected, saying that religious organizations should be an exception.