TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland - Assistant City Manager
Dr. Gerald Newton, AICP - Development Services Director
FROM: Craig Harmon, CZO - Senior Planner
DATE: June 23, 2025
RE:
Title
Update to the City of Fayetteville’s Sign Code, Unified Development Ordinance Section 30-5.L Signage and other related sections.
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal II: Responsible City Government Supporting a Diverse and Viable Economy
Executive Summary:
The City of Fayetteville has contracted with Benchmark Planning to update the sign ordinance.
Information has been provided to the City Council UDO Housing Committee in February for guidance and a peer review in March. At that time the committee voted to move forward with a draft to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their April 15th meeting and voted unanimously to send the item to City Council.
Background:
The sign code in its current form has had minimal updates since the adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The primary goal of the upcoming update to the sign code is to reorganize it in a way that improves its structure, making it easier for both local officials and businesses to navigate. By streamlining the regulations, the update will offer clearer guidelines on which types of signs are permissible under various circumstances, reducing confusion and the likelihood of non-compliance.
Issues/Analysis:
The proposed update to the sign code represents a significant opportunity to modernize the regulatory framework, enhance clarity, ensure compliance with new legislation, and introduce business-friendly incentives that foster a vibrant and aesthetically pleasing urban environment. By reorganizing and clarifying the code, Fayetteville can strike a balance between regulation and innovation, ensuring that both businesses and residents benefit from a well-planned and well-regulated city landscape.
Budget Impact:
None at this time
Options:
1. Approval of the proposed text amendment (recommended);
2. Remand the proposed text amendments back to staff for further consideration and specific changes;
3. Move to recommend denial of the proposed text amendments.
Recommended Action:
The Planning Commission and Professional Planning Staff recommend that the City Council move for Option (1) and recommend approval of the proposed text amendments.
Attachments:
Draft Sign Code
Draft Sign Ordinances for Adoption
Sign Regulation Comparison