Follow-Up: Front Yards Could Save Youth Sports Signs

Several weeks ago, Mountain View Patch wrote about the difficulty some youth sports organizations experienced when they .

These non-profit leagues, associations or unions found that the banners they placed on major thoroughfares faced immediate removal and a possible citation—though that didn't stop some of them from still doing so.

Also, due to inconsistant enforcement of the "Prohibited Sign" code section, A36.38.050, when placed on certain public facilities, in particular parks like McKelvey, they remained longer—overlooked by the another city entity, the Department.

Since the publication of the article on Dec. 7, the city stepped up their enforcement. On Dec. 8, Parks and Recs sent out an email to inform the youth organizations that all banners should be removed voluntarily or face a notice of violation. All the signs quickly disappeared.

However, some options have arisen that could make all parties happy—the city code enforcement office and the youth sports organizations.

One Patch reader, Jeanne Sanders, asked in a comment whether banners or signs could be placed on private party.

"I live on Miramonte Avenue and would be willing to have a sign in my yard for a couple of weeks," she said. "God forbid kids might get away from their computers and get some exercise."

According to Code Enforcement officer Chris Costanzo, the removal of this signs from private property "is low priority."

"I've never done proactive code enforcement of community signs on private homes in a neigborhood," he said. "Nor do I see myself having time to do that unless enough people complain."

Another reader, Tony, asked whether youth sports signs could "qualify under the 'Flag' exemption?"

Costanzo explained that if a banner where hung under the exempted sign section 36.38.040, he honestly, "wouldn't know how to handle it."

He recommends that "people follow the code." He added that while they don't look at the content of the signs, if a sign's main purpose is to attract attention for business, then it's a violation.

If people are confused of what constitutes a business purpose, they should ask the city's Planning Department, according to Costanzo.

The best course of action seems to be to ask friends and youth sports advocates with front yards around the city to temporarily put up the signs. It's a score for all.

Questions about code enforcement can be sent to Ask Mountain View.