By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — It’s a bad sign for people who have been cluttering Glasgow’s rights of way with excessive temporary advertising.
Glasgow City Council members passed the second reading of an ordinance Monday night that allows stricter guidelines on the placement of signs in the city limits and stiff fines for those who choose to ignore the rules.
The amended ordinance, which relates to the “placement of signs, outdoor advertising displays and special event signs” was passed to help the city refocus its enforcement efforts, according to a council statement.
No temporary signs will be allowed on city or state rights of way. This includes utility poles. The only exception in the city will be realtors’ auction signs. Licensed real estate agents and auctioneers must receive express permission from City Code Enforcement officer Larry Baldock beforehand and must remove the signs within 24 hours after the event.
Signs must not obstruct the flow or view of traffic. All special events signs placed outside the right of way must have the date of the event on the sign and must be removed within five days after the event.
No directional signs or outdoor advertising displays will be allowed in residential areas with the exceptions of real estate signs advertising sale, rent or lease of property, signs relating to home occupations and permanent identification for the residence (i.e. house numbers). This ordinance does not apply to private property.
All signs must be kept and maintained in good repair while they are posted and must not exceed six feet in height and 10 feet in width.
Signs in violation of the ordinance will be removed immediately by Baldock or another city employee and held at the city landfill for 14 days to allow the owners to retrieve them. After that time, they will be disposed of in the landfill.
Identifiable owners with signs that cannot be easily removed will be notified in writing of the violation and given 10 days from receipt of the notification to remove the signs. If the owner cannot be identified or the sign is not removed in the prescribed amount of time, it will be taken down by any necessary means and the owner will be liable for the associated costs including labor.
Persons guilty of violations will be fined, upon conviction, not less than $50, nor more than $250, with each day that any violation or failure to comply occurs constituting a separate offense.
The entire ordinance will be posted on the city’s Web site at www.cityofglasgow. org for public viewing through February of 2009.
For questions regarding locations of rights of way before placing temporary signs, contact Baldock at 629-2489 (629-CITY).
