[Vision2020] Info Regarding Political Signs

[Sue Hovey]

I understand there have to be some limits to the size of a sign and placement restrictions, and I believe court decisions have indicated those restrictions to be legal, but help me understand why there are ANY limits to the number of days during which a sign may be displayed.  I think this prohibition needs to be reconsidered.  

Dan Carscallen, are you reading this?  If so, I think someone on the council needs to take a look for surely it is a violation of a person's First Amendment rights to set a time line on freedom of speech.     

Are there others out there who might be willing to work to get this timeline prohibition changed?  I am planning to post a yard sign which reads, "Support our Troops--Vote Democrat."  I suppose that means I can't legally place it in my yard until early September. 

Sue Hovey


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stephanie Kalasz 
  To: v2020 
  Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:32 AM
  Subject: [Vision2020] Info Regarding Political Signs


  Moscow City Code prohibits display of political signs until 60 days prior to the election that the candidate is participating in (not before).  Signs that are posted currently may be removed.  People can get signs back if they contact me.  I am posting the relevant portion of the Code below.

   

  Political advertisements may be posted on private property in the City in accordance with the following restrictions:

         1.  Residential Zoning Districts:  A maximum of six (6) square feet of total area per sign shall be permitted on private property.

  2.  Commercial Zoning Districts:  A maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet of total area per sign shall be permitted on private property.  A sign exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet of total area shall comply with Title 7, Chapter 6, of this Code.

  3.  Political advertisements shall not create a public nuisance, a private nuisance, or a hazard as determined by the City Engineer or Community Development Director.

  4.  Placement, Display and Removal:

              a.         Placement.  All political advertisement shall be secured to the ground or to a structure so as not to create a hazard.

              b.         Display.  No political advertisement shall be displayed more than sixty (60) days preceding the first day of election for the office for which such is an advertisement.

  c.         Removal.  All political advertisements shall be removed within seven (7) days following the day of final election for the office for which they are advertisements.  If not timely removed, the City may remove such political advertisements and collect from the candidate or his or her campaign the cost of such removal.

   

  Stephanie Kalasz

  Moscow City Clerk

   



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