City 'Reminds' Council Candidate Signs to Follow Rules

Call it a friendly "reminder" to Mercer Island city council campaigns this fall.

City officials on Wednesday issued a press release pointing out that the city did have certain guidelines and City codes applying to the use and placement of temporary campaign signs on Mercer Island.

The City of Mercer Island, like many cities in the state, regulates where and how large temporary signs can be placed — such as the ever-present "sandwich board".

Mercer Island does allow campaigns to place signs in the right-of-way, most noticeably on the Island Crest Way/Interstate 90 on-and off-ramp through the Town Center area, which is typically covered with dozens of signs every November (more of those rules on size and placement of signs can be found on the city's website).

The city also allows an exemption for political signs in the city's sign ordinance, which sets a 90-day limit for displaying temporary signs as spelled out in Mercer Island Municipal Code 19.06.020 § 6 — though that regulation is lightly enforced. Campaign signs began appearing in late June on Mercer Island's thoroughfares, at least 100 days before Election Day on Nov. 5, 2013.

Also unlike other neighboring towns, city hall won't fine campaigns which fail to remove signs in the 48 hours following the General Election. In fact, the city will clear up the mess free-of-charge.