FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
JULY 15, 2013
Portable Signs (Sandwich Boards) and Sign permits
Steamboat Springs, Colorado -
With a few exceptions, all signs within the City of Steamboat Springs require a sign permit. On July 2, 2013 the City of Steamboat Springs City Council approved an ordinance to temporarily suspend the prohibition of portable signs thru September 30, 2013. Along with that ordinance there are certain conditions that apply to using portable signs within the City limits:
1. A sign permit is required.
2. Any sign that is placed within the public right-of-way (sidewalk) also requires a revocable permit, releasing the City of Steamboat Springs from liability should such sign cause damage to persons or property.
3. All portable signs must be adjacent to the business frontage and securely tethered to the building by means of a clip or bolt and allowing no more than 6” of space between the building and the sign.
4. Signs on private property must be similarly anchored to a permanent structure other than another sign structure.
5. Businesses that do not have direct street frontage (such as second floor or lower level locations) may place portable signs either on private property or on the public sidewalk immediately adjacent to the property within which they do business.
6. Tenants must have the property owner’s permission to apply for a permit for a portable sign.
7. Six feet of clear passage must be maintained between any portion of the portable sign and any other obstruction in the public sidewalk, including, but not limited to, trees, lights, benches, trash receptacles, outdoor seating, planters and similar features.
8. Portable signs may be placed only during the hours that the business is open to the public and must be removed and stored inside the business at all other times.
9. Portable signs must be appropriately weighted or restrained to resist strong winds.
10. Portable signs may not be larger than 30” wide and 42” tall.
11. Signs may include text and/or graphics, including changeable chalked messages and may not be illuminated.
12. All other sections of the CDC Section 26-222 Prohibited Signs, and any other applicable rules continue to apply.
As of today, the City of Steamboat Springs Department of Planning and Community Development is not in receipt of any sign permit application or revocable permit application for any portable signs, although there are many portable signs on sidewalks and private property at this time. Signs that do not meet the requirements listed above are subject to enforcement action. Enforcement of the newly approved, temporary portable sign ordinance will begin July 15, 2013. Any non-permitted portable sign owner will be subject to a City of Steamboat Springs Municipal Court citation with fines of up to nine hundred ninety-nine dollars ($999) per day per violation and possible jail time, or both.
Please contact Barb Wheeler, City of Steamboat Springs Department of Planning and Community Development, 970-871-8274, bwheeler@steamboatsprings.net, with any questions or to submit a sign permit and/or revocable permit application. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Contact Information:
Department of Planning and Community Development
Barb Wheeler, Code Enforcement
970.871.8274