Illegal signs by roads

Most of the roadside signs at the entrance and exit to Eastsound are illegal, says San Juan County Code Enforcement Office Ric Galer.

But don’t expect any citations to be issued soon, and in some cases, they may never be issued at all.

There are three reasons why Galer is reluctant to turn violators over to the Prosecuting Attorney, who has the responsibility for drawing up all formal charges in criminal cases:

1) Most of those putting up signs don’t know they’re doing anything wrong, Galer believes. “A lot of the problem is that people need to be educated,” he says.

2) Galer’s work load is already bursting at the seams. In his file are 175 complaints regarding possible violations of building and shoreline codes, plus another 121 dealing with fire codes.

3) Then there is the politically sensitive matter of having to confront popular community organizations, among them Orcas Center. “I would hate to go over to the community theater,” Galer admits, acknowledging that both commercial and non-commercial organizations are subject to the law.

Galer does intend, however, to write letters informing approximately 20 groups in Eastsound and Orcas Village that they are in violation of the county code. Those who fail to take down their signs after 30 days will get a formal notice. Only if they continue to ignore Galer’s written communications will he take the matter to the prosecutor. He doubts, however, that things will get that far in most cases.

The law states that all A-Frame signs (sandwich boards) are illegal except those placed on the owners’ properties, according to San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, who recently issued an interpretation of local law.

Temporary signs won’t be affected, Galer says, adding that he probably won’t contact those with paper signs even though the law is vague regarding these types of signs.

On Sept. 10, 2003, the prosecutor submitted his interpretations of county law to both Galer and Jon Shannon, director of the San Juan County Department of Public Works.

Shannon doesn’t have the authority to issue citations, but his department can remove all signs or structures that block roadsides and paths, or that interfere with the department’s need to mow grassy areas alongside local roads.

The Public Works department also could choose to ask the Sheriff’s Department to take action against those who are threatening safety. Such a situation could apply, Shannon says, when people park their cars on county roads while putting up their signs. But these would be traffic infractions only, not judgments about the signs themselves.

Gaylord, Galer and Shannon say the county must be very careful not to interfere with people’s rights to free speech when considering actions against those putting up signs.

The proliferation of signs is apparently limited to Orcas Island. It is not a widespread problem on any of the other islands in the county.

Community non-profit organizations have long been using roadside signs here to promote events and meetings. Only recently have large numbers of private businesses gotten into the act. Several islanders asked that local laws be enforced, prompting an interpretation by the prosecutor.

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