I can understand the reason for changing sign violations from criminal to civil, I mean really how many Toledo police actually catch someone in the act of putting up a sign where they aren't supposed to. The title linked Blade article has some further details on proposed changes. Let's take a quick look at some of the relevant parts of the current code:
1393.03. Miscellaneous signs and posters.
The tacking, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures is prohibited unless otherwise permitted by this Code.
(1952 Code § 43-8-2)
This one I find rather ironic...
1393.05. Abandoned signs. - Abandoned signs are prohibited.
1393.07. Public areas.
No sign shall be permitted which is placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, electrolier, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on public property or over or across any street or public thoroughfare except as may otherwise expressly be authorized by this Code.
(1952 Code § 43-8-6)
As for signs that are exempt from the current ordinance? Two that might be of particular interest:
1391.02. Exempt signs
(n) Campaign and Political Signs. Campaign signs for or against candidates for public office or measures on election ballots; and Political signs.
(Ord. 871-01. Passed 10-30-01.)
(u) Temporary Signs. Temporary signs pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that such signs are posted no more than thirty days before such event and are removed no more than seven days after such event.
For me it's easy to see a solution, after all what could be more civic than a Garage Sale. It's a chance to meet and greet fellow citizens, discuss some local topics and help the economy of your household. Or merely claim on your sign a certain percentage of sales totals will be donated, that's philanthropic. Campaign season upon us? Vote for Fred and stop by my Porch Sale! Political, Support the Troops and hurry going out of business sale! Teaching the kids about money by letting them sell some of their stuff in a Yard Sale? Educational... Much more educational than Learn and Earn, I mean come on if adding slot machines can be passed off as some sort of Scholarship Amendment, we can easily figure out how to meet the allowed Temporary Signs/Campaign Signs standards.
:-)
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They would also be exempt, there are a few exemptions I didn't list as a part of the code probably this would be how it would be allowed:
(d) Governmental Signs. Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of his public duty.
link if it will work otherwise the City Charter is listed on the sidebar under "Survival Basics" Part 13 Building Code - Title 9 is the Sign Code.
:-)
I should also point out the Penalty under the current code:
1381.99. Penalty.
Whoever violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Code or the owner or user of an unlawful sign or the owner of property upon which an unlawful sign is located shall for each and every violation or non-compliance be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense for any second offense within any twelve month period, such persons or organizations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
The maximum fine for a minor misdemeanor is no jail and a $150.00 fine - for a fourth degree misdemeanor it is up to 30 days in jail and a $250.00 fine. For an individual - organizations face higher fines if they violate the sign code. Which means technically, if a person were to be caught under the present code with a sign violation they could face a larger fine than is being discussed in addition to a second offense eliminating the possible jail time.
:-)
Did Toledo just legislate away the time-honored rock'n'roll tradition of plastering posters of one's band on every available telephone pole?
Or are those not "signs"?
It looks like those would have been illegal under the current code, however from my understanding of the way it was enforced before nothing happened unless a police officer actually caught you in the act of posting a sign.
It does look like though under the new proposal if that goes thru that the actual band being advertised could be fined.
This is an idiotic piece of legislation from politicians whose usual idea of fixing a problem is to create new laws.
We HAVE sign ordinances already that are largely unenforced. A new law will not change anything.
Besides, if I were a businessperson looking to relocate, this would be about issue #4728 on my list.
HEY CARTY AND LUDEMAN: HOW ABOUT IMPROVING SCHOOLS, CRIME, AND TAXES???
(climbing down from soapbox)
Are we really PAYING these people to sit in committees and palaver about yard sale and quick weight loss signs?
The incredible irony, of course, is the provision to exempt those ugly political signs. Leave it to pols to put themselves above the laws.
Lisa,
I don't know and am not quite sure. Was this a serious post or was it sarcasm and dripping with doubt/disbelief?
Considering (as Mike pointed out) that we already have a sign ordinance, this is nothing more than another ignored page is an already ignored "rule book."
And is one surprised that our elitist politicians have conveniently exempted themselves from this legislation?
What I wouldn’t give to have politicians that were ordinary citizens, knew it, and acted that way…
My solutions were humor based though they would probably be legal if political signs stay exempt.
:-)
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