ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is revising its sandwich board sign regulations.
On Feb. 22, City Attorney Becky Vose presented on first reading a previously discussed ordinance that would allow one A-framed sandwich board sign per business address. The second reading and final adoption of Ordinance 24-291 is slated for Thursday, March 14.
Anna Maria’s code of ordinances currently prohibits sandwich board signs but the enforcement of that prohibition was suspended to assist businesses in response to a hurricane-related pier closure in 2017 and the COVID pandemic.
With enforcement suspended, many Anna Maria businesses currently use sandwich board signs to attract customers and promote the goods and services they offer. Some businesses use more than one sandwich board sign, but they will soon be limited to one such sign per business address.
According to the soon-to-be-amended ordinance, “Each separate address housing one or more legal existing commercial uses within the ROR (Retail/Office/Residential) and C-1 zoning districts shall be permitted a single A-frame sandwich board. Such board shall have two fixed panels and be free of any parts that may swing or move in any fashion. Additionally, such board shall not exceed 27 inches in width and 45 inches in height, including the A-frame. Such board shall not be located in the right of way or in any parking space, shall not impede pedestrian traffic or line of sight and/or vehicular sight distances and/or sight triangle and shall be allowed during business hours only and shall be removed during non-business hours and inclement weather.”
While participating in the Feb. 22 meeting by phone, City Planner Ashley Austin noted the city commission previously discussed the proposed ordinance amendment in August. The proposed ordinance was then reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board in September and the revisions suggested by the commission and planning board were incorporated into the ordinance presented that evening.
Austin said she reached out to 21 Anna Maria business owners seeking their input. She said 16 business owners support the proposed sandwich board sign allowance, one business owner opposes sandwich board signs in general and four business owners are neutral on the matter.
