Feature
July
28
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
by Terry Trahan, Jr.
Neighborhoods are beginning to look more colorful these days.
As political campaigns attempt to build name recognition and get their candidate’s message to the masses, yard signs are popping up in front of houses, along sidewalks and on street corners.
But most of them are not placed legally.
In Terrebonne Parish, yard signs are not to be placed in public rights of way, said Pat Gordon, director of planning and zoning for the parish.
These restricted areas include the property between sidewalks and the curb, or on street corners, shoulders and signs. Placement on trees and telephone and electric poles is also prohibited by the parish.
Several area homeowners’ associations also have restrictions that prohibit sign placement in neighborhood yards.
“They become a visual blockage for being able to get out of driveways or intersections,” Gordon said.
Instead, those who place signs are asked to keep the advertisements beyond the sidewalk and on private property at least two feet from the property line.
The signs cause problems for the parish when workers arrive to cut grass and have to dodge the signs in rights of way. Also, the lightweight signs have blown into the parish’s drainage systems and obstructed the flow of water, causing localized flooding.
“We have to put screens in the drainage systems to keep that kind of debris out,” Gordon said.
Still, homeowners wanting to sell a house or announce a garage sale, business owners searching for an effective advertising tool, and politicians, among others in the community, continue to turn to yard signs to get their message out.
But failure to obey the ordinances has its consequences.
“If we receive a complaint, our inspector will remove the sign or report it,” said Deon Stewart, a code enforcement officer for the parish.
Violators may receive a $250 fine for a first offense and a $500 fine for a second offense, Stewart said.
Dwain Guerin, an independent community volunteer, travels around the parish reporting sign violations. He began noticing the signs after the Broadmoor neighborhood flooded because of blocked drainage.
Guerin discovered that yard signs had blown into the neighborhood’s drainage system and blocked escaping water. Now, he informs those who place signs illegally about the ordinances.
“You would be surprised at the number of people who said they didn’t realize there was an ordinance and would be willing to abide by it,” Guerin said.
During political season, campaigns are not allowed to begin placing signs in approved locations until at least 90 days before qualifying begins, Gordon said. Also, candidates are asked to remove their signs no longer than 10 working days after having an unsuccessful bid for an office, or after winning an election.
“I don’t see a lot of signs out right now, but I think a lot of candidates are waiting to put the signs out closer to the election to get everybody’s attention,” Gordon said.
As election day approaches in October, the sign population is expected to rise. Parish officials want to remind the public that when it comes to sign placement, it’s all about location, location, location. There is nothing wrong with placing a yard sign as long as it is placed in an appropriate spot.
For more information about yard sign ordinances in your area, contact your parish’s Department of Planning and Zoning.
