SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls residents can put up as many political lawn signs as they want after an ordinance change passed by the city council Tuesday.
The Sioux Falls City council voted unanimously to update the city’s ordinance on what it deems “non-commercial” signage.
Under rules passed in 2018, homeowners could only display two such signs on their property, and couldn’t display any one sign for more than 60 days. The new ordinance removes the limit on the number of signs and extends the time limit to 90 days.
The ordinance was aimed at political campaign signs. City Clerk Tom Greco called the two-sign limit “prohibitive” considering the number of concurrent elections that could take place at a given time. City officials decided to pitch a time limit extension because of the possibility of a runoff in municipal elections.
Councilors acknowledged enforcing the ordinance will be difficult. Councilor Janet Brekke said the onus will be on political campaigns and homeowners to follow the ordinance.
Though political signs are the focus of the ordinance, many types of signs are affected by the ruling. Councilor Greg Neitzert pointed out how signs honoring sports teams and local service members fall under the city’s “non-commercial” umbrella.
Signs deemed “commercial” by the city, like “For Sale” and “For Rent” signs, are unaffected by the change in the law.
