City Restricts What Kind Of Signs Can Be Displayed

El Paso City Council voted Tuesday to further crack down on illegal signs, in an effort not to burden local realtors, whose signs usually follow city ordinance.

The City has been trying to figure out how to minimize the number of illegal signs on parkways, the strip of land between the sidewalk and the street.

The City’s Streets Department recommended to council an ordinance that would require individuals or businesses to apply for a permit and register signs, that signs be insured to cover any personal injury to anyone potentially hurt by the sign, and that a copy of the permit be attached to each sign.

The Greater El Paso Association of Realtors opposed those specific measures. It contends its business’ general liability insurance would already cover any injuries by signs. Realtors also told City Council that though they’d register their signs with permits – the real culprits of illegal signs, such as individuals who post yard sale signs, would still not apply for the permit.

City Rep. Michiel Noe said the proposed ordinance would be punishing lawful sign owners, while still not catching individuals who constantly post illegal signs.

In Fiscal Year 2011, the City collected 41,109 illegal signs. That’s an average of 3,426 signs per month. Thirty seven percent were yard sale signs, 23 percent were ‘we buy houses’ signs, 24 percent were miscellaneous, 11 percent were lost pet, 4 percent were computer repair and 1 percent were political ads. So far in Fiscal Year 2012, the City has collected 18,856 illegal signs.

After today’s decison, City ordinance will now require signs on parkways only be displayed from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. daily and they must have a wooden or metal frame.

“My signs cost me a lot of money. I don’t need a license or an insurance permit to make me pick up my signs,” one realtor told council.

City representatives voted to restrict any lighting on signs displayed on parkways. They also removed from the proposed ordinance the measures that concerned the realtors. No permit will be required for sign owners. A city staff member said a permit would be the only way to really find out who is putting out the signs.

Currently, the City has two people dedicated to picking up illegal signs, fining violators and trying to take them to court. For the salaries of those two employees, vehicle maintenance and fuel, the City estimates it will cost $67,182 for fiscal year 2012.