Signs, signs, everywhere the signs
"Blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind
Vote him, don't vote her, can't you read the sign?"
And that ditty from the Five Man Electrical Band brings us into the campaign sign season. While this fall's city council races probably won't devolve into a Red State/Blue County argument over who stole who's signs, the city has promised a crackdown on signs illegally posted in medians, rights of way, and tacked on telephone poles.
Councilwoman Sandy Carmany even suggested that citizens might do a bit of sign vigilantism: "Note: any citizen can legally remove these illegal signs as well, just be safe in doing so and don't be stopping in the middle of the street to jerk one up."
Here's a refresher from the city on the sign placement rules:
RESIDENTS URGED TO POST POLITICAL SIGNS PROPERLY
GREENSBORO, NC (August 31, 2005) - Political candidates, campaign workers and residents are reminded of the City regulations on political signs during this year’s election. Signage that meets City
requirements will remain posted throughout the entire campaign.Political signs may be placed on any private property if authorized by the legal property owner provided that:
There are no more than six signs per zone lot.
A sign must not be larger than six square feet in area or six feet in height.
Signs cannot be illuminated.
No commercial message may appear on the sign.
Signs must be removed within seven days after the election.
Signs may not be placed within a street-right-of-way, median or divided streets, power or utility poles, government sign poles/signs, trees or other natural features, underpass columns or support and traffic control boxes and vacant lots. Signs exceeding six square feet in size may not be placed on private property without securing a sign permit from the Zoning Enforcement Office at the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 West Washington Street. Political signs improperly placed are subject to removal and disposal. Anyone found posting a sign illegally may be charged with a criminal or civil offense under the City code.
Residents who believe a sign is placed improperly can call the Zoning Enforcement Office at 373-2630.