We start to see signs go up all over town around this time of year. Advertisements for garage sales, local events and contractor work are some of the most common signs we see throughout the summer. Having such signs visible is great for the event, sale or contractor, especially when the signs look nice.
Locations for the signs are crucial for visibility. However, there are some places that the signs are not permitted.
Per Ordinance 741.13, titled “Posting Bills,” hanging any kind of sign on trees, fences or utility poles on public grounds of the Village is not allowed, regardless of how those signs are hung.
Nails, posts, staples and twine can injure a tree, to the point of killing it. Twine, or any type of material used to surround a tree, can girdle the tree, which kills the tree. Nails, posts and staples can pose hazards on utility poles. Taping a sign to a metal pole or post may seem like a friendlier way to hang a sign, but the tape can pull the paint off the surface of the post.
Per the Ordinance, “Whoever violates this section is guilty of posting bills, a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.”
If your signs are in violation of the ordinance, they may be taken down by Village officials when seen.
Even with signs that are correctly posted, please keep your community in mind. Once your event is over, it is your responsibility to remove all signs that you have posted.
Please be sure to dispose of the signs in the appropriate manner, so they do not end up blowing into a neighbor’s yard, the street, or the storm sewer system.
