(Seguin) — Big changes are coming to Seguin’s sign rules — and for local businesses, it could be a banner day.
The Seguin City Council is moving to eliminate time limits and quantity restrictions on business banners, marking a major shift in how these signs are regulated. Banners — which many businesses use not just for promotions but as semi-permanent signage — will now be allowed year-round. The updated ordinance shifts the focus to appearance, requiring banners to remain in good condition and free from damage, rather than limiting how many can be displayed or how long they can stay up.
The changes come as part of a broader overhaul of the city’s sign ordinance. While most of the updates were relatively minor, banners became a major focus after several business owners voiced concerns.
Some said they were being told to remove banners that, in certain cases — like at the Seguin Schoolyard — were the only signage they had.
Councilman Jason Biesenbach was the most outspoken member of the council on the issue. He outlined several recommendations that were ultimately approved last week Tuesday. His proposals allow banners to stay up indefinitely, provided they remain in good condition.
“On banners, section 6.6 point 8 (I’d like) to strike subsection E, which limits the number of signs allowed per business or tenant — so that there is no limit on the number of banners per business or tenant. To amend subsection F, striking the limit of use to of 60 calendar days per year, and adding to remove the banner if it becomes worn, tattered or in disrepair. And amend subsection G, striking banners not to be attached to poles, ground stakes, or other supports, and replacing that with banners attached to poles, down stakes or supports must remain upright, visible and in good repair. And then prohibited signs section 6.7 to strike subsection C (number) 4 limiting free standing banners,” said Biesenbach.
Biesenbach says no one wants trashy or damaged signs cluttering the city. He believes the ordinance strikes a balance — offering businesses more freedom while still requiring that unsightly banners be taken down.
“We don’t want our city obviously looking, you know, down and shabby and just people’s signs just looking like garbage. I agree 100-percent that the signs that are on ground stakes that are leaning, I mean they, they don’t look good, right. And so, if we’re going to enforce anything, those are the kinds of things that we should enforce. But at the same time, I feel based on my motion that you should be allowed to put those things up so long as they look good. If they look horrible and bad, that’s when, as a community we should be like now…code enforcement should go by and have a conversation. Hey, straighten it up or take it down,” said Biesenbach.
Many businesses also use banners year-round to showcase awards or achievements. Biesenbach says banners celebrating things like “Best Of” or “Top Choice” recognition should be allowed, if they are well maintained.
“As far as Best of the Best (signs), that’s another one you see a lot of businesses (having). Those are more of a pat me on the back (signs). ME Plumbing (is a good example). They’ve got — all over their fence — I think 10…even though they’re kind of faded. They’re not torn. They’re not tired and they’re on the fence. I’d hate to nickel and dime those guys after being here for that long and being so proud of their business,” said Biesenbach.
One of the most-discussed cases was the Seguin Schoolyard at 225 N. Saunders St. Biesenbach pointed out that several businesses operate within the Schoolyard, and the banners out front help identify what’s inside.
“The number of banners really relates to the Schoolyard more than anybody. As it’s written now, the (banner) on the fence, because it’s secured, can be there for a limited time. But because they (also) have one in front of their business on the wall — well, that’s two. So, they wouldn’t be allowed to have the second one. So, that’s why (that limitation) …kind of stuck out to me,” said Biesenbach.
Of course, determining whether a banner “looks good” can be subjective. That point was acknowledged during the council’s discussion. Mayor Donna Dodgen says city staff will monitor them for violations, but the relaxed rules also place more responsibility on the community. If a banner looks bad, she says, it should come down.
“The onus is on us, as well as on all of our citizens to ensure that we continue to make things look nice and that we have incredible signage so that people can see what businesses we have and that that we don’t look tattered, worn and shabby in that sense. So, the onus is on all of us,” said Dodgen.
The council has spent several weeks reviewing proposed changes to the ordinance and weighing staff recommendations. The recent decision finalizes one of the more visible elements of that process.