The Wichita City Council has given unanimous approval to changes in a city ordinance regulating political signs and other signs displayed on private property and in a public right-of-way.

The changes would allow an unlimited number of temporary signs on private property during an election period, which is defined as 45 days before an election and two days afterward.   Signs can remain in place between the primary and general elections.  They cannot be larger than eight square feet for private property, and four square feet for the public right-of-way.   The signs can also contain any message, political or non-political, and they can’t be regulated because of content.

The City Council removed language in the ordinance that would have caused problems for homeowners and private property owners, if a sign they disagreed with was to be placed on a right-of-way in front of their home or property.   Removal of the language will allow a homeowner to remove a sign that he objects to.    Mayor Brandon Whipple said the intent of the ordinance is to balance First Amendment rights with public safety and the rights of property owners.

Deputy City Attorney Sharon Dickgrafe told the Council that the ordinance is in compliance with state law.   Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has raised concerns about the ordinance on social media.

Council member Brandon Johnson said there are other issues that he wishes the legislature would focus on instead of yard signs.    He said there are still issues over revoked driver’s licenses, the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, fixing KanCare, and legalizing medical marijuana, and he said the attention to yard signs is “a bit of a waste.”