City of Helena Explores Sign Ordinance Updates

Published on September 29, 2023

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HELENA, Mont. - The City of Helena is starting a public engagement process surrounding a proposal to adopt a new sign code. Throughout the fall, the City will host two information sessions along with several public meetings to discuss the proposed updates. Residents can also review the draft proposal and give feedback by visiting https://beheardhelena.com/sign-code-update.

The goals of the new sign code are to improve clarity in signage regulation, increase conformance with recent legal rulings, and to ensure that the current needs of the community are being met. What has been prepared is a new sign code that not only supports businesses in effectively communicating with their customers but also enhances the visual appeal of Helena's streetscapes. The last comprehensive sign code update was adopted in 1997, although there have been some smaller changes since.

The proposed sign code will address a range of topics, including: scaling the size of on-building signage; digital signage restrictions; lighting standards; the elimination of off-premises signage, including billboards, 10 years after adoption, and more.

The City values the opinions and insights of its residents, business owners, and stakeholders. City staff will host all-day drop-in information session on Oct. 4 and Oct. 24 at the City-County Building in Room 401. Staff will be gathering written feedback up to each of this item’s three public hearings and will provide opportunities for verbal comments to be heard in those hearings on the proposed code (see schedule below and the city calendar for meeting details).

  • Oct. 4: A drop-in info session will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the City-County Building in Rm 401.
  • Oct. 10: A work session with the Zoning Commission to consider staff and public recommended changes to the draft sign code will be held prior to that same evening’s scheduled public hearing (on other items). Due to the limited time constraints, the public may not have an opportunity to provided verbal feedback at this meeting. This is a work session only and no vote occurs at this meeting.
  • Oct. 24: A drop-in info session will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the City-County Building in Rm 401.
  • Oct. 24: A work session with the Zoning Commission to consider staff and public recommended changes to the draft sign code. Due to the limited time constraints, the public may not have an opportunity to provided verbal feedback at this meeting. This is a work session only and no vote occurs at this meeting.

Meeting information can be found at www.helenamt.gov/meetings/.  Along with providing comment through Be Heard Helena, residents can also submit written comments to be distributed to the Zoning Commission and/or the City Commission (depending on when submitted) by emailing malvarez@helenamt.gov or writing to:

City Community Development Dept,
316 N Park Ave, Rm 445,
Helena, MT 59623.

 

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