Fiscal Note
No appropriation required. Future revenues will be affected by the repeal of certain sign permit fees. The fiscal effect is anticipated to be minimal (less than $1,000 per year).
Title
Amending Sections 31.03(2), 31.044(1)(e), 31.046(3)(c)3., 31.046(4)(a), 31.101(2)(b), 31.12(2)(g), 31.14(3)(c), 31.15(2) and 31.15(3), repealing Section 31.044(1)(f) and creating Section 31.14(2)(g) of the Madison General Ordinances (Sign Control Ordinance) to update or delete various definitions, clarify applicability with respect to commercial and noncommercial messages, and refine the number of signs allowed during an election campaign period.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance makes a number of clarifications to the sign ordinance. This ordinance amends the definitions of several sign types to clarify that those signs only deal with commercial messages. The definitions of commercial and noncommercial messages are deleted because these concepts are defined by caselaw. The definition for neighborhood and subdivision identification signs are being repealed as is the process for approving them. The definition of scoreboard is revised to eliminate references to the content of messages on a scoreboard. The definition of advertising sign is revised to remove any reference to noncommercial messages and to remove an outdated reference to the bus shelter sign program, which no longer exists. The rules for political signs are revised so that during an election campaign period (defined by state law as the time from the first day that nomination papers may be circulated through the day of the election) a person may display a number of additional signs equal to the number of candidates or causes in that election; without regard to what the sign says. The definition of political sign is deleted. The exception for temporary holiday decorations is deleted from the list of exempt signs, as such decorations are likely not a sign, and the exception for temporary inflat...
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