Commentary: Sign Pollution

Summer is a time of festivals, community fund-raisers, political campaigns and yard sales. These type of events make living in Flint interesting.

Unfortunately, people promoting the events, either through insensitivity or ignorance, often create visual pollution in our neighborhoods.

It is difficult to walk down many neighborhood streets without being assaulted every few feet by crude advertising signs attached to utility poles, walls and even trees.

The Flint City Council has enacted a variety of ordinances to deal with the problem. Most advertising signs are prohibited in residential neighborhoods. Those allowed are restricted to minimize the negative effects they could have on neighborhood quality of life.

Except for certain official traffic control and public information signs, no signs are allowed in residential districts in the area between the side of the sidewalk nearest your house and the side of the sidewalk nearest the house across the street.

According to the city code: "No person shall . . . attach any signs except as may be expressly authorized by law on any street or sidewalk, or upon any public place or object in the city, or any fence, building or property belonging to the city, or upon any street, telephone pole, electric light pole, in or on any public tree, street or alley..."

The code also prohibits most commercial signs in residential neighborhoods. Those allowed are restricted by ordinances to control commercial activity in residential areas.

The signs most frequently found in residential districts are temporary real estate, yard and garage sale and political campaign signs.

All temporary type signs in residential districts are limited to 6 square feet in size and must have the name and address of the installer in letters no smaller than a quarter-inch high. The owner, agent or occupant of the property must give permission to install the sign.

Signs advertising yard or garage sales are restricted to the private property where the sale is being held. They can be posted for no more than nine days two times during a 12-month period.

Real estate signs in residential districts are restricted to the property being advertised and must be removed "... within 20 days after the sale, rental or lease of the property," according to the code. They are also subject to the six-square-foot size limit.

Political campaign signs must be removed within 20 days after the general election. They are also subject to the size limit and permission requirements if they are in residential neighborhoods.

A fourth type of sign, those advertising community events such as festivals and other fund-raising events, may be illegal in residential districts except on the grounds where the event is being held. Clearly, they are prohibited in the street and parkways.

The code also limits signs in public parks.

No person shall attach any notice, sign, placard, carpet or other encumbrance on any "tree, fountain, post, railing, fence or other structure in or surrounding any public park, ground or boulevard," according to the code.

The penalty for violation of a city ordinance is a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Each day of the violation is a separate offense.

So how does your group publicize a community event without violating city ordinances?

One effective method, available even to the smallest group, does not create sign pollution. Distribute flyers by hand to the homes in your neighborhood.

According to the code: "... this provision shall not apply to the distribution of handbills, advertisements or other printed matter that is not securely affixed to the premises."

One caution. It is against federal law to put anything in mail boxes.

There are several things you can do to reduce sign pollution.

Do not attend any event that is illegally advertised. Remove all illegal signs. Tell the people who put up illegal signs that you do not appreciate their activities. Finally, if all else fails, file a complaint with the city building and inspections division. If you choose the last alternative, document your complaint with pictures and, if necessary, be prepared to appear in court as a witness for the city.

GPC