The Oro Valley Town Council has decided not to start charging fees to people who violate its sign code.
The council voted 5-2 to delay discussions about deciding what to do about offenders until after Feb. 1, when a temporary measure that allows use of temporary displays and outdoor signs expires.
The town code prohibited the use of A-frame signs before the temporary provision was approved in September 2011. Before the temporary waiver was enacted, the town allowed businesses to display merchandise outside only if the business bought a $370, 60-day special-use permit. Businesses currently have to obtain a permit and pay $50 to display A-frame signs on private property. Signs are not allowed on public roadways.
Fines ranging from $25 to $100, increasing for repeat offenders, would have applied to businesses that violated code with signs including wall signs, A-frames, roof-mounted signs and vehicle graphics.
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Planning Division Manager David Williams told the council the town's lack of adequate enforcement makes it appear to be a "toothless tiger" to violators. He said 1 percent of Oro Valley businesses violate the code.
Mayor Satish Hiremath said fines for sign-code violators could be construed negatively by people in the business community, most of whom comply with the code without the threat of fees.
Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Dave Perry said the fines were unnecessary.
"We're pleased the majority recognized that a fine structure sends the wrong message to the overwhelming majority of businesses that do the right thing with regard to signs," Perry said. "We recognize there may be chronic offenders, and something should be done; we don't believe the threat of penalty is the solution."
This story was also published Thursday in the Northwest Star. Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com