Since You Asked: Are there limits on political signs in Yuba-Sutter?

Q: With the local election season upon us, political endorsement signs are cropping up like wildflowers in the spring. Are there any specific limits on the number or size of political signs that can be displayed in front of single-family homes in Yuba City and Marysville?

A: Not really.

There are laws against signs being placed in public rights of way, as well as signs that interfere with a driver's vision, but that's about it, officials in both Marysville and Yuba City said.

And, assuming the signs don't interfere with traffic safety, there are no limits on the number of signs you can post in your own yard.

"Technically, all signs fall under the city sign ordinance," Marysville City Services Director Dave Lamon explained, "but, I don't think anybody wants to get into a free speech battle."

In theory, officials acknowledged, a homeowner could post a sign (or two or even more) for every candidate running in every race. It might look a little weird, but it's not illegal.

The same is true in Yuba City, according to Community Development Director Aaron Busch.

Campaign signs can be as large as you want, again, as long they don't interfere with traffic safety and are not in a public right of way.

Q: Are there any plans to repave Feather River Boulevard from Ella Avenue to Country Club Road? It's a wreck.

A: No, there are no immediately plans to repave that two-mile portion of Feather River Boulevard.

The Yuba County Public Works Department has a five-year plan for all anticipated road projects, and that stretch of road is not on the list.

It's no secret that local government agencies have been experiencing cash-flow problems for several years — and Yuba County is no different.

"We had about $400,000 in unexpected expenses this last year," Yuba County Public Works Director Mike Lee explained. "So we have to cut $400,000 in road projects to accommodate the budget."

The unexpected expenses included major repairs to Marysville Road following a landslide and the department had to drop $100,000 to replace a broken snow-blower, Lee said.

A two-mile chunk of Feather River Boulevard just north of Ella Avenue was repaved about three years ago.

"We would like to repave that stretch and many others," Lee said, "but, with scarce resources and other projects coming up, we'll get to it just as soon as we can."

Since You Asked is published on Mondays. Send questions to reporter Rob Parsons at the Appeal-Democrat, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive, Marysville, CA 95901, email him at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or call 749-4785.