GLASGOW, Ky. — Glasgow is considering a sweeping rewrite of its rules governing signs and outdoor advertising, from billboards and electronic displays to political, business and temporary signs.

The Glasgow City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Glasgow City Hall, 126 E. Public Square.

The proposal would replace much of Chapter 111 of the Glasgow Code of Ordinances, which governs outdoor advertising and other signage throughout the city.

The changes have been discussed by city officials for months, including during a public forum in February and at recent City Council meetings. The city’s Public Safety Committee has recommended that the council adopt the amendments.

“We’re trying to put this in a box and make it fair for everyone with every type of signage out there,” said Councilman Terry Bunnell during the Aug. 24 City Council meeting.

The proposed ordinance would establish rules for the size, lighting, movement, materials, location, height and condition of signs.

What would change?

The proposed ordinance covers a wide range of signs, including:

• Business and wall signs
• Billboards
• Electronic message displays
• Political signs
• Real-estate and auction signs
• Temporary signs
• Yard and garage sale signs
• Estate and tag sale signs
• Portable and sidewalk signs
• Inflatable signs
• Signs shared by multiple businesses or properties

One major change would be how temporary signs are regulated.

Real-estate signs would be allowed in any zoning district, but generally would have to be placed on private property and could not be placed in a public right-of-way.

The proposal would allow one small pointer sign at the end of a street within the right-of-way, subject to size and height limits.

The ordinance also would establish rules for political signs, special-event signs and other temporary signage.

Political signs would be allowed in any zoning district unless restricted elsewhere, but would have to be placed on privately owned property.

Special-event signs could be displayed up to 30 days before an event and would have to be removed within 48 hours afterward.

Billboards and electronic signs

Billboards also would remain part of Glasgow’s sign regulations.

The proposal would allow billboards along U.S. 31-E, KY 68-80, KY 90 and the Cumberland Parkway, subject to the other restrictions in the ordinance.

The city would continue to cap the total number of billboards at 25, including occupied and vacant signs.

The proposal also would allow electronic message displays on billboards.

Those displays would have to automatically dim based on surrounding light conditions. Messages would have to remain static for at least four seconds, with transitions lasting less than one second and without special effects.

Billboards would be limited to a maximum height of 50 feet and a maximum total face area of 600 square feet on each side.

What about existing signs?

The proposal would not require every existing sign to immediately comply with the new regulations.

Signs already constructed when the ordinance is adopted could remain until they are removed or altered, even if they do not meet the new requirements for location or size.

Existing nonconforming signs could remain, but replacement signs or altered portions would have to meet the new requirements.

That provision could be important for businesses, property owners and others who already have signs in place.

Visibility and lighting

The proposed ordinance also sets standards for where signs can be placed and how they can be illuminated.

No sign could obstruct the clear view of an intersection or traffic signal.

Signs generally could not be placed in or extend over a public right-of-way without the required permission.

The proposal also establishes a general lighting limit of 0.5 foot-candles above ambient light, measured at five feet above grade and 20 feet from the sign.

Flashing lights and lights that resemble law enforcement, emergency vehicles or traffic signals would not be allowed.

Why the Sept. 9 hearing matters

The proposed ordinance is not yet final. It must receive another reading before it can become law. The first reading passed Aug. 24, with four councilmembers voting against the proposal.

The Sept. 9 public hearing gives residents, business owners and property owners an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes before the City Council considers final adoption.

That includes the proposed rules for billboards and electronic signs, business signage, political signs, temporary signs, lighting and signs placed near intersections and public rights-of-way.

The ordinance could still be changed before it is adopted. It will go for a final reading Sept. 14, according to Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Glasgow City Hall, 126 E. Public Square.