The Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the Town Council eliminate the requirement that businesses obtain a permit to use A-frame advertising signs.

The commission voted 7-0 on the issue that was forwarded by the council in March. The change requires a Zoning Ordinance amendment, which the commission must review and make a recommendation on.

Staff had recommendation the elimination of the permit requirement as a step toward improving compliance with the A-frame regulations. Originally established as a method to get staff to talk with businesses and explain the regulations, the permit was proving ineffective and too costly to administer.

Senior Planner Bob Rodgers said eliminating the permit will allow code enforcement to focus on other violations related to the use of the signs, such as placement, hours left out and appearance.

Commission Vice Chairman Mike Archambault asked Rodgers how they enforce the sign regulations when there is no staff working three days over the weekend. He asked about hiring a part-time code enforcement officer.

Rodgers said there is no money for additional staff and admitted the off days do create an enforcement issue.

Rodgers said the town may have to look at some way to accommodate having someone available on the weekend to check on signs. That would likely be using someone who could offset hours elsewhere during the week.

Council had indicated in December when it renewed the ordinance sunset date that it wanted to see significant improvement in compliance with the rules before considering renewal again at the end of this year.

The sunset date for the ordinance is Dec. 31, and without renewal the A-frame signs would be banned.

Regulations that apply to A-frame signs are defined in the town Zoning Ordinance with sign regulations. Some of the general rules are as follows:

*Only businesses that are physically located within Town commercial or industrial zoning districts or churches in residential zoning districts may display A-frame signs.

*Signs are not to be placed within any paved portion of a street, sidewalk or median. They must be one foot behind the curb or pavement if no curb is present.

*Signs are not to be placed where they pose a hazard.

*Signs are to be no more than 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall.

*Signs must be manufactured and in good repair.

*Signs may be displayed only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

This is not a complete listing of the regulations. See the Town of Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance for details.

The council is scheduled to consider the amendment when it meets on Thursday, May 21.