10-16-10 POLITICAL SIGNS

Sign permits are not required for political signs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this chapter, the following provisions shall apply only to political signs erected out of doors: ( updated August 2025 Ordinances #2025-003) A. Location And Type: 1. Political signs are permitted in single-family residential districts only upon lots in which a residence is located without prior approval of the zoning department, provided that permission has been obtained from the property owner(s). If permission has not been obtained from the property owner(s) and the sign is within the owner's legal property rights and boundaries, the owner(s) of the property may remove the sign and contact the candidate to have the sign picked up within twenty-four (24) hours. After that time the sign can be destroyed. Fruit Heights will provide areas of city property that political signs may be posted. See Exhibit A 2. The dimensions of such signs shall not exceed a maximum area of twelve (12) square feet and four feet (4') in height, and further provided that only one sign per office or measure shall be placed upon that lot or parcel of land regardless of the size of such parcel. 3. Political signs shall be temporary, stationary, and unlighted. 4. No political signs may be erected earlier than forty-five (45) days before the election to which it relates. a. When a primary election is required for a public office, signs for candidates seeking election may be displayed forty-five (45) days in advance of the primary election. Candidates successful in the primary election may leave their signs in place for the upcoming general election. b. When a primary region or national election is required for a public office, signs for candidates seeking election may be displayed forty-five (45) days in advance of the primary election. Candidates successful in the primary election may leave their signs in place for the upcoming general election. c. Signs for referenda or initiatives that are held in conjunction with regularly scheduled elections shall be limited to thirty (30) calendar days preceding the election. d. Signs for any special election shall be limited to a period immediately preceding the election of seven (7) calendar days. 5. Political signs shall not be attached to any utility pole, fence, tree or other vegetation in any public right of way. 6. Political signs shall not be erected in such a manner that they will or reasonably may be expected to interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or mislead traffic. 7. Political signs shall be self-contained and freestanding and shall not be attached to any structure, except that the sign may be placed in a window. 8. Political signs may not be located on trees or lawn owned by the city or on any property owned, leased, maintained, or operated by the city except those areas provided in Exhibit A. 9. Political signs are not allowed on medians or in park strips. B . Responsible Person: In a campaign for elective office, the candidate for such office shall be deemed the person responsible for the posting of campaign signs, unless the candidate first notifies the city recorder and the zoning administrator of another person who is responsible. In such case, the candidate shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and signed consent of such other responsible person. In a campaign regarding a ballot measure, the president of the committee supporting or opposing such ballot measure shall be deemed responsible, unless said person first notifies the city recorder and zoning administrator of some other person responsible, in the manner described above. The candidate, or in the case of a ballot measure, the committee president or other responsible person if so designated, shall be liable to pay any fees or costs for the removal and storage of illegal signs, as set out herein. Further, such candidate, committee president, or other designated person, shall be subject to prosecution for any violation of this chapter. C . Removal Of Illegal Signs: 1. Illegal Signs, Public Nuisance: Campaign signs in violation of this section are hereby declared to be public nuisances and may be abated as such by the city. The collection of removal fees shall not preclude the city from prosecuting any person for violating this chapter. 2. Removal Of Illegal Campaign Signs: The zoning administrator or authorized agents are authorized to remove any campaign sign found posted within the corporate limits of the city when such sign is in violation of the provisions of this section. For the purpose of removing campaign signs, the zoning administrator or authorized agents are empowered to take all steps necessary to remove the unauthorized sign including, but not limited to, enlisting the aid or assistance of any other department of the city and to secure legal process to the end that all such signs shall be expeditiously removed from any property where posted. 3. Storage And Return: The zoning administrator or authorized agents shall remove said campaign sign and keep a record of the location from which the sign was removed. He/she shall store the sign in a safe location for at least five (5) days. The zoning administrator or authorized agents shall return any campaign sign upon the payment of the fee provided in subsection E of this section. 4. Signs shall not be allowed and shall be removed when they are attached to any regulatory sign. These shall include, but will not be limited to stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, caution signs and school crossing signs. D . Postelection Sign Removal: The person, party, or parties responsible for the erection or distribution of any such signs shall be jointly and severally liable for the removal of them within five (5) calendar days after the election to which they refer. E. Charge For Sign Removal: Failure to remove signs within the specified time limit may require city officials to remove the signs. Each candidate found not to have substantially complied with the removal of the signs shall be charged for staff time and expense of sign removal. Such charge shall not be less than two dollars fifty cents ($2.50) per sign removed. This charge applies to both subsections C and D of this section. F . Signs In Public Right of Way: 1. Placement of signs is encouraged within private property. Fruit Heights will provide areas in the city for placement of political signs (see map) Exhibit A. Any sign placed in public right of way is subject to removal by city staff. When signs are removed for this reason, the sign will be made available for five (5) calendar days to be picked up. After that time, it will be destroyed. G . Destruction Of Political Signs: Wanton destruction of political signs shall constitute a class C misdemeanor and shall be punishable in accordance with other personal property destruction statutes. Campaign Sign Locations EXHIBIT A The following locations have been designated as approved areas for the placement of campaign signs within Fruit Heights City. Signs located outside of these approved areas are subject to removal by city staff. Important Guidelines: • Only one double-sided sign is permitted at each approved location. • Signs may not be placed on or attached to the poles of the Fruit Heights Information Centers located throughout the city. 1. South Mountain Road – Around the "City of Good Neighbors" sign. 2. Mountain Road (Waterfall Area) – Signs must be placed above the rock retaining wall near the waterfall. 3. North Mountain Road – West side of the road, along the detention basin area. 4. UTA Park & Ride Lot – Located on the west side of Hwy 89 and south of 400/200 North. Signs may be placed in the zeroscape areas. 5. Ellison Park – Located at 880 E. Broken Fence Lane and 891 E. Country Road. One sign is permitted on each side of the park. 6. Corner of Green Road and Laurelwood Drive – Northeast corner of the intersection. 7. Corner of Nicholls Road and Lloyd Road – On the fence along the west side of the road. 8. Nicholls Road & Main Street Parking Lot – Signs may be placed in the zeroscape area. 9. Lloyd Road (along the sound wall): One double-sided sign may be placed within one of the 2'x2' gravel box squares located along the full length of Lloyd Road