REALTORS® Get New City Sign Ordinance
Winning confidence of the city through education and commitment

The Clark County Association of REALTORS® had been struggling with sign ordinance issues for years. Since 1978 the City of Vancouver has not allow any sign in the public right of way - including A-boards, open house, or directional signs - essentials to a real estate professional.

In 1999, the City took it further, by actively enforcing the rule as well as increasing the fines for any infractions - $100 per sign, per day. REALTORS® in Clark County have been fighting since that time to change the sign ordinance. REALTORS® themselves drafted several iterations of the code and worked with the city planning staff to come to a resolution.

After years of work we finally came up with an acceptable proposal that would allow three A-board signs in public right a way, within one mile of a listing. REALTORS® also proposed a self-policing and education program that won the confidence of the city council.

"It was a huge win for us," said Jessica Hoffman. "Mayor Pollard and the rest of the City Council told us that they were passing the new ordinance for the REALTORS®," says Jessica Hoffman, Clark County's Government Affairs Director. "They gave us an opportunity to show that we are serious about abiding by the new ordinance."

To do that the REALTORS® are creating an advertising and education campaign on responsible sign placement. The City of Vancouver and the Chamber of Commerce are excited about working with the REALTORS® on both - they will be using their materials, including a pledge that members can sign to express their conscientious compliance with the new ordinance.

"I am so excited at the prospect that the City of Vancouver has given us the opportunity to prove to ourselves and our community that we will be responsible and professional with sign placement." Hoffman explained. "Right now I'm setting meetings with each of the over 150 broker offices to have the pledge signed, and to watch for any violations of the new ordinance."