St. Cloud Scraps Yard Sign Ordinance Changes for Now After Free Speech Backlash

(KNSI) — The City of St. Cloud is going back to the drawing board on yard sign regulations after a recent attempt to update the rules backfired.

Earlier this month, the city council sought to clarify statutory language governing yard signs, but the proposed changes sparked such widespread confusion and backlash that council members ultimately rejected the measure entirely. Several council members reported receiving numerous emails from residents who accused them of attempting to restrict free speech rights.

St. Cloud’s existing ordinance takes a restrictive approach to non-commercial yard signs on residential properties. Under current rules, most personal yard signs are prohibited outright, including graduation celebration signs, community pride displays, and other signage. Residents who want to display such signs must first get a $33 permit, a requirement that has drawn criticism from free speech advocates.

The ordinance does allow certain types of signage without permits. Property owners can display identification signs like “The Smith’s House” on their homes, and commercial signs remain permissible for advertising cars for sale, rental properties, garage sales, real estate listings, and contractor services.

Political signs occupy a middle ground, permitted only during designated campaign periods, specifically from 46 days before a primary election through 10 days after the general election.

The city takes a complaint-driven approach to enforcement, investigating potential violations only when residents file formal complaints. Violators first receive written notice by mail with an opportunity to comply voluntarily. Those who refuse to remove prohibited signs face potential city signage removal, along with possible fines or removal fees.

The current review process began after the city received formal complaints when several residents filed grievances against neighbors, specifically because they objected to the content or presence of their yard signs, highlighting the contentious nature of the existing regulations.

City council members now face the challenge of crafting clearer ordinance language that balances residents’ free expression concerns with the need for reasonable sign regulations.

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