§ 24.04.025. Findings of City Council.

The Governing Body of the City of Wichita finds that:

(a)

Sign regulations impact First Amendment Rights and these rights are important constitutional rights that must be protected;

(b)

Unregulated signage has direct and secondary effects that are harmful to the safety and general welfare of the City as a whole and to its individual citizens;

(c)

These direct and secondary effects result from the visual clutter that occurs as a result of unregulated installation and lack of required maintenance of signs;

(d)

These direct and secondary effects include harm to traffic and pedestrian safety, decreased property values within the City, decreased business opportunities for individuals and businesses, community blight and an overall less pleasing appearance of the community;

(e)

Because of these direct and secondary effects, the City has a compelling interest in regulating signs;

(f)

The purpose of this Title is to provide content and viewpoint-neutral, reasonable time, place and manner restrictions that directly advance the interests of the City;

(g)

The scope of these regulations is proportionate to the City's interests and narrowly tailored to achieve the City's stated objectives;

(h)

A primary and compelling interest of the City is the ability of the City, other governmental entities and utilities to erect official signs and other warnings so that the information is conveyed to the public in order to protect the public safety and welfare; and

(i)

A primary and compelling interest of the City is the ability of first responders to easily identify residents or addresses in emergency situations, therefore necessitating that residents and businesses erect Identification Signs and Nameplate Signs to serve that interest.

(Ord. No. 50-439, § 3, 4-25-17)