Sign fines begin Aug. 1

State and local ordinances prohibit advertising from being placed in a right-ofway/ easement area. Fire Marshal Stephenson Williamson says he will begin enforcing that ordinance August 1.

Both right-of-ways and easements (ROWs) include the area where street signs, fireplugs and utility company lines are located. ROWs extend farther from some roadways than others, and are sometimes located between adjoining properties, so the best way to tell where a ROW is, is to check with the property owner or refer to a plot map.

A common sense approach will be taken with enforcement after August 1, to allow for open house signs, garage sales and other events, according to Williamson.

Place advertising on stakes so they can easily be seen without interfering with traffic signs or blocking a driver's view. They can be posted for up to 48-hours.

Signs that are placed in the roadway where they block driver's visibility, or on utility poles or on street signs or are left over 48-hours are a violation of the law, and fines up to $500 can be assessed for repeat violations.

Williamson is giving notice that the signs placed in ROWs must be removed before August 1, 2007. Contact the Fire Marshal's office at 384-4651 if you have questions or concerns regarding this matter.