After almost two years of discussions and meeting to rework the ordinance, a new set of rules regarding signs is now in the books for Albert Lea.

Albert Lea Community Development Director Bob Graham said the changes, which reflect the interests of the community, should go into effect sometime in the middle of November.

The Albert Lea City Council approved the ordinance at its meeting Monday.

The ordinance tackles everything from projecting signs in the downtown, portable signs, banners and even electronic message boards.

“From the initial proposal, it has come a long way,” said Randy Kehr, Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce executive director. “A lot of people have worked very hard on it going all the way back to the mayor’s task force.”

He said he thinks it is important for people to understand that they may never get everything they want in an ordinance. But if the council finds over time that changes need to be made, they can institute those changes.

“But at least now the basic structure is in place and updated after not having been touched for over 40 years,” he said. “I think we made a lot of changes that will do well to preserve the historic district while at the same time allowing businesses to do business.”

The following are the highlights of the changes in the ordinance:

• Projecting signs

Graham said projecting signs will be permitted in the downtown and may project out a maximum of four feet. The signs may be as large as four feet in height and must be at least eight feet above the ground.

• Sidewalk signs

These types of signs are allowed in all districts and if used should be placed adjacent to the building.

They must not block the sidewalk and must allow five feet of passage on the sidewalk.

• Portable signs

These types of signs had technically not been allowed in the past, but under the amended ordinance, they will be allowed but under some restrictions.

Businesses or organizations must obtain a permit before placing the sign out. Signs cannot exceed 32 square feet.

Permits are good for 30 days, and each property can get three permits a year.

Portable signs are not allowed in residential areas or in the downtown.

In the downtown, however, a 15-day permit can be granted for a sign to be placed in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot. Organizations can get those multiple times a year but only for 15 days at a time.

• Banners

These types of signs, such as the ones on the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, will be reviewed annually by the Heritage Preservation Commission with a recommendation to the City Council.

• Temporary signs

Temporary signs, or the paper or canvas signs attached to buildings, will be considered as wall signs and will require a permit. The total sign area may not exceed 20 percent of the first floor space of the building.

• Dynamic signs

These signs, also known as electronic message boards, will be permitted in all business and industrial districts except for the downtown.

They must have a four-second hold on the message.

Graham said existing signs that do not comply will not be considered noncompliant but must come into compliance if a new sign is installed.

He said staff will be expected to enforce the ordinance.

“There were definitely compromises,” he said. “Those are changes that are reflecting the interests of the community.”