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Published on 07/21/1997 All articles from this issue

LAH Council clarifies placement of real estate signs for open houses

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

In a challenge to the Los Altos Hills municipal code, Los Altos Hills real estate brokers Ray and Betty Rooker recently asked to put a directional sign to an open house in the public right of way. The request, which challenged the town's municipal code on real estate signage, was denied by the Los Altos Hills City Council.

Councilwoman Elayne Dauber said a "for sale" sign can already been seen on the property, located on Baker Lane, and there is no reason a second sign should be allowed.

The municipal code on placing retail signs was adopted in January 1993. It specifies that real estate displays must be temporary and not fixed in the ground or on any plant or structure. Signs may be put up no earlier than one hour before the beginning of an open house and taken down no later than one hour after an open house has concluded.

Any real estate sign found in Los Altos Hills not in accordance with the town's codes will be removed and stored. Realtors have 10 days from the date on their notification letter to pick up the sign, and must pay an administrative and service charge of $60 for every sign picked up.

A copy of the code was sent to every area Realtor in August 1995 as a reminder.

Councilman Sid Hubbard said each request for a real estate sign should be reviewed case by case, but councilman Bill Siegel said, "You make one exception and the Realtors will swarm us with requests."

Mayor Toni Casey said, "In today's market, a sign doesn't sell a house."

The motion to deny placement of signs in addition to those on the property for sale was made by Hubbard and adopted on a 4-1 vote.