Wacky Balloon Man is out, A-Frame signs are in: changes proposed to business signs in Carson City

There have always been ordinances regarding what is and is not permitted for business signage, but often these rules were pushed to the limits due to codes that were difficult to enforce. Now, a proposed change to business signage ordinances could see these rules being more strictly enforced, as well as creating additional avenues for signage to be displayed.

The proposed changes include allowing flags and banners, without time limitation, only attached to buildings, allowing A-frame signs adjacent to all businesses, and prohibiting inflatable devices.

Also, the definition of “frontage of building” is being modified to create consistency in the way permitted sign area is measured for commercial uses.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, currently, banners and freestanding flags are permitted for up to 30 days in any 90-day period, and A-frame signs are prohibited except within the downtown area.

Under current regulations, one inflatable device is allowed for up to three consecutive days within any 30-day period, and one banner attached to the building for up to 30 consecutive days within a 90-day period.

— The Board of Supervisors proposed modifications that a business should be allowed one flag or banner per business without a time limit.

According to the proposal, the Board said, “Removing time limits for banners will help with consistent and efficient code enforcement of the regulations due to the difficulties in code enforcement staff determining the exact day on which a banner is placed.”

They also said that freestanding flags are unattractive and ineffective along commercial corridors. However, Special Event permits can be issued to allow for freestanding flags.

— Currently, A frame or portable signs are prohibited everywhere except in the downtown area.

This has been due to the fact that A frames are oriented towards pedestrians, and were seen as a possible distraction to motorists. However, the board said that many businesses outside of the downtown area would like to use A frame signs to attract pedestrians in parking lots, or those who are walking around areas such as the Carson Mall.

The new proposal would allow A frame signs to be permitted to all businesses, so long as they remained within 20 feet of the business’s entrance.

By allowing all commercial businesses to use A frame signs with the proposed limitations, said the Board, the goal of limiting ineffective and distracting A frame signs along vehicle-oriented areas will continue to be achieved while providing consistent regulations citywide. The proposed regulations are also clear and relatively easy to enforce.

— Inflatable devices are defined as an inflated object filled with air or gas for the purpose of attracting attention, excluding balloons.

This includes “dancing balloon men,” large inflatable animals, and other large inflatables used to attract attention to a business.

According to the proposal, current code allows inflatable devices to be used for up to three consecutive days within any calendar month, and 12 days within a calendar month for new car dealerships. They are not allowed to exceed the height of the business.

The main issue the Board faced is that in some cases, inflatable devices are being used as permanent advertising devices.

Now the proposed changes will prohibit them all together except for special events.

“The lack of consistent enforcement has led to the appearance that inflatable devices are becoming a problem along the City’s commercial corridors,” said the Board. “Similar to the proposed flag regulations, inflatable devices should only be used for special events.”

According to Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Ronni Hannaman, so far they have received no complaints or comments from any of their business members after the new ordinance proposals were sent out to keep them informed of possible changes.

“It is my understanding that the ordinance has not been uniform throughout the city and that the wish is to allow businesses other than those downtown to have the same opportunity to attract business,” said Hannaman.

More for information, you can read the proposal here.