§ 15-5. Posting signs on city property or rights-of-way prohibited; exceptions.

(a)

Legislative findings. The proliferation of commercial and political candidacy signs posted on city rights-of-way and city property has and will create a public nuisance. The unattended signs create traffic hazards and cause additional work on the part of city crews as well as additional expense on the part of the taxpayers of the city. The council finds that it is necessary to prohibit such posting of signs on city property.

The city also finds that nonprofit organizations need to post temporary signs giving directions to and notification of special events being conducted, and it is in the public interest to provide for well regulated exceptions to the ban on posting signs on city property and rights-of-way.

(b)

Prohibited . No person, firm or corporation shall post or cause to be posted any sign, advertisement, billboard or notice upon the property of the city or any right-of-way maintained by the city.

(c)

Exceptions .

(1)

Nonprofit organizations. The prohibition against posting signs contained in this section shall not apply to bona fide nonprofit organizations which desire to post signs on city rights-of-way to notify the public of events which are being sponsored by the organization and direction to the location of the event provided:

a.

The organization obtains a permit for the sign or signs from the city.

b.

The permit application shall contain the name and address of the organization; evidence that it is nonprofit; the name and phone number of a contact person who will be in charge of the sign; the planned size and location of the sign; the number of days the sign will be in place and the purpose of the sign.

c.

The city will grant a permit for the sign or signs if it finds that the sign will not create a traffic hazard and that it otherwise will meet the criteria contained in this section.

(2)

Holiday decorations. The provisions of this section shall not apply to holiday decorations sanctioned by the city according to a city-wide plan or to city contractual agreements.

(d)

Penalty for violation of section. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced in accordance with section 1-13 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 1508, §§ 1—5, 1-21-92; Ord. No. 2050, 12-18-2007)