Commissioners OK political sign change

Regulations limiting when political signs may be posted in Flathead County are one step away from elimination.

The county commissioners passed a resolution of intent on Friday, May 2, to adopt a zoning text amendment allowing political signs on private property for any length of time. The change would affect only zoned property within the county.

A 30-day comment period will begin once the resolution of intent is published on May 7. The commissioners will make a final decision on the change after that.

Commissioners Gary Krueger and Pam Holmquist voted in favor of the change. Commissioner Cal Scott abstained because he is running for re-election and has posted political signs across the county.

The change was prompted by court cases in other states that said limiting the time period for political signs is unconstitutional because it infringes on free speech. Opponents to the change have expressed concerns about impacts to the visual landscape and the tourist industry.

“None of us wants to see political signs, but it’s a matter of following the Constitution, and we’re put in this office to do this,” Holmquist said.

Krueger said limits on the duration of political signs must be removed from zoning regulations, based on advice provided by the county attorney’s office.

“If we can’t defend it, we probably wouldn’t enforce it,” Krueger said.

While Scott abstained from voting, he said he’s “highly in favor of constitutional rights” and not in favor of more regulation. He said he wants to encourage self-policing of political signs.

County planning director BJ Grieve noted that a sign maintenance provision in county regulations could enable the county to contact a sign owner if a sign is unmaintained or left to deteriorate over time.