Costa Mesa eases rules on campaign signs

Campaign signs throughout Costa Mesa are going to be more loosely regulated in the upcoming election season.

After a unanimous City Council decision Tuesday night, signs placed in the public right of way — generally defined as the parkways between curbs and sidewalks — will be allowed every day, instead of just Friday through Sunday.

The signs also can be placed six weeks ahead of an election, rather than four weeks, as city staff had suggested.

Signs will continue to be prohibited in front of City Hall, center medians, fire stations and public parks.

The changes come after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in an Arizona case required cities to equally regulate any temporary sign, whether commercial or political.

Costa Mesa staff contended that the city’s previous rules, such as restricting signs in the public right of way to certain days, wouldn’t be acceptable because, in light of the court’s ruling, such regulations amount to unfair restrictions on free speech.

To that effect, the council also withdrew a rule that limited sign owners to 10 placed citywide. The council and city staff considered the rule impractical and impossible to enforce.

The council’s decision does not affect signs on private property, with one exemption for church sites. Signs will be allowed on church properties if their leaders give permission.

Campaign signs have been a source of exasperation for all sides in recent elections after they were vandalized, stolen or removed for violating a placement rule.

In 2014, two city contractors removed more than 1,800 signs at a taxpayer cost of $9,600, mostly because they were in public areas outside the permitted times.

Councilwoman Katrina Foley said changing the rules is appropriate, but she feels campaign signs “don’t win elections.” Rather, she said, they can help the community feel more democratic and patriotic.

“I think [city staff members] spend way too much time, energy and resources on managing sign placements,” she said.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis agreed, saying it might be easier if Costa Mesa had more of a “free-for-all.”

“It seems like we might be eliminating headaches,” Genis said.