City of Norfolk offering reminders of rules regarding signs

NORFOLK, Neb. -- With garage sales underway and a busy election season, the City of Norfolk is reminding people of the legal requirements when putting signs out to advertise events or candidates.

According to an email sent out by the City of Norfolk, Section 27-323 of City of Norfolk ordinance states that a sign cannot be placed in any public right-of-way which means not in any park, terrace, roundabout or on the grounds of any public facility. Signs also cannot be placed in medians or on bridges, utility poles, traffic signal poles or attached to any existing permanent roadway signs.

In a residential area, all signs must be smaller than eight square feet in size and no more than six feet high. All temporary signs must be placed in front or side yards on the inside of the sidewalk or at least 25 feet from the street if there isn’t a sidewalk. Signs should never be placed on a lawn in such a way as to obstruct a person’s view of oncoming traffic. Anyone wanting to place a sign on someone else’s property must first have the property owner's permission.

On a corner lot, the sign cannot be more than three feet high or within 25 feet of the intersection. City officials will remove signs that are placed illegally and fines may also be assessed to those who place signs illegally.

City officials are also reminding people to pack up signs at the conclusion of garage and yard sales. According to city ordinance, temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the sale. All political signs must be removed within five days following the election.