HUTCHINSON, Kan. — On Jan. 16, the Hutchinson City Council adopted changes to the city’s sign regulations.

Changes to the sign code were prompted by the desire to reduce the complexity of the previous code and to make sign permitting easier for businesses. The changes to the code were a collaborative effort between residents, businesses and sign companies.

Here are the changes:

The maximum height of pole signs has been reduced along arterial roadways to 25 feet, 30 feet in special corridors, and along state highways to 35 feet.

The maximum sign area along arterial roadways is 150 square feet, 200 square feet in special corridors and on state highways, 250 square feet.

New billboards are limited in number and have a larger separation — 1,500 feet.

Dilapidated signs are required to be removed under the new codes. Abandoned signs are required to be refaced with a blank panel or removed.

For more information about the changes to the sign code, please visit the Planning and Development’s webpage at www.hutchgov.com/planning. The department also maintains social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter.

Any questions about the changes to the sign code should be directed to Aaron Barlow, Associate Planner (aaron.barlow@hutchgov.com or 620-259-4198) or Jade Shain, Planning Technician (jade.shain@hutchgov.com or 620-694-4134).