by Andrew Getty
As the political candidates are lining up for the local elections in the fall, signs soliciting votes are sure to arrive as well.
Political signs are a part of the process.
Some communities have regulations pertaining to the use, placement, size and duration of such signs, and some communities do not.
The Town of Webb does have a sign ordinance which includes criteria for political signs.
The Town of Webb is in Herkimer County. Can a candidate running for something in Oneida or Hamilton County put signs in the Town of Webb?
This question has been asked of this office several times already this summer.
The sign ordinance does not specifically say one way or the other. Maybe it was written to assume that the candidate is running for something that will show up on the Town of Webb ballot, or maybe not.
Maybe it wasn’t even considered… Either way, a political sign still needs to comply with the Town’s sign laws regarding placement, location, permission of the property owner and size.
Here is the actual language of the local law regarding political signs:
Section 480-32-A-2-g: Signs not exceeding twelve (12) square feet of sign area and advocating the political candidacy of an individual, party, group, proposition, referendum, or similar concept.
Such signs shall be located on private property with the consent of the individual property owner and shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date of the specific election to which the advertisement is directed.
That’s it… not too hard to understand. Twelve square feet in area, on private property with the permission of the property owner, and shall be removed within two weeks after the election is over.
Here are the common problems that arise every year with political signs.
• The sign is not on private property, but out in the road right-of-way.
• It needs to be ON PRIVATE PROPERTY with the consent of the property owner.
• The sign was placed randomly along the state, county or town highway.
• The sign is clearly bigger than 12 square feet.
Traditionally, this office will try to make an effort to contact the owner of the sign if the sign has not been placed properly, or is too large.
Usually a phone call works, at least for local elections.
County, state or national candidates are often very difficult to get cooperative compliance.
So what is the best way to obtain compliance, and be fair to all without regard to political affiliation?
Does the Code Office ignore all political signs? Do we send out a “Notice of Violation” by mail? Do we call the candidate?
The code office has been removing all types of smaller signs improperly placed for years, and then returning the sign to the rightful owner.
This will likely be the same policy this year as well.
But think about this concept.
The code office, and its staff, picks up political signs randomly as they pop up around town.
We do some verification first as to the location, size, and consent of property owner before the sign is removed.
Of course the candidate is not happy. We are considered bullies, over-reaching our authority, acting with selective intent, not communicating first… all normal first impressions.
Is doing nothing appropriate? If so, why have the local law regulating signs? Everyone will be on the same platform.
As political signs are considered an exempt sign, not requiring a sign permit (but still subject to the criteria above), it would be a good idea for each candidate keep a list of signs and even a list showing the consent of the property owner.
This office WILL get complaints. Help us by helping yourself.
Besides, the successful candidates will be the new leaders on our Town Board which all department heads, including this office, must deal with on budgets, programs, policies, personnel, pay & salaries and to provide the tools we need to make our departments able to function properly.
You don’t like the sign law? Let’s change it.