SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — A loosening of restrictions on lawn signs came up for discussion at the Sioux Falls City Council’s Tuesday night meeting.
The proposed ordinance would take away the existing limit of two non-commercial signs per lawn. It also would allow homeowners to display signs for 90 days instead of 60. That limit is not tied to a particular election date.
The one-month extension is tied to the possibility of a runoff in a municipal election. The city’s Tom Greco said campaigns often had to guess whether a runoff would take place before distributing signs, knowing they would need to be removed two months later.
The ordinance would mainly affect signs displayed in support of political campaigns, but it applies to all signs deemed “non-commercial” by city authorities. One member of the public asked the council whether a “For Sale” sign in front of a house would be subject to the regulation; city officials said they would have an answer by the time the bill is reassessed next Tuesday.
Councilor Greg Neitzert acknowledged the issue can be tricky to legislate since the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent largely prevent the city from regulating the content of signs. Only the time, place, and manner of speech can be restricted.
The ordinance’s second reading is scheduled for next week. Read it in full here.
