Jasper relaxes signage code enforcement

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Mayor Dean Vonderheide signed an Executive Order suspending enforcement of certain local municipal code sections pertaining to signage and parking.

The goal being to open businesses to greater outdoor seating opportunities as well as merchandise displays. According to the order, this is designed to support local businesses and commercial establishments while allowing them to operate in a manner that promotes social distancing and complies with previous executive orders and the governor’s plan for reopening the state.

Here are some of the changes with the order.

Businesses will be allowed to use sandwich boards as long as they don’t exceed eight square feet in size of four feet by two feet. They will also be limited to a single sandwich board and it cannot be illuminated.

Additionally, the restriction requiring that sandwich board signs be located within 10 feet of the main entrance of the business for which it is established shall NOT be enforced.

Businesses will also be allowed to use pennants as long as they do not extend into the public way. The restriction that Pennants may be used no more than 30 days during any 3-month period shall not be enforced.  Also, the restriction prohibiting pennants from being used in conjunction with banners or other exempt signage shall not be enforced.

Banners are also allowed for commercial use as long as they do not extend into the public way. Additionally, only one banner is allowed per property or business located on a property and they cannot exceed 45 square feet in face area.

Previous restrictions limiting the use of banners to no more than 14 days during any two-month period, shall not be enforced. In addition, up to three yard signs, not larger than two feet by two feet each, may be used in lieu of a banner, but not in combination with a banner.

Other types of signs previously prohibited are also being allowed including portable signs and inflatable signs, characters, feather banners “and the like.” However, such signs may not extend into public way and may not exceed one per property, or one per business (where more than one business is located on a property).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this executive order shall be deemed to permit signage to be located in the right-of-way or to be displayed in a manner that would negatively affect visibility of traffic or otherwise cause a safety concern.