City to crack down on illegally placed signs

(November 6, 2006) - In response to citizen concerns, the City is cracking down on illegally placed signs by creating a Sign Sweep Task Force.  The task force will hit Oklahoma City streets November 13-17 to remove and dispose of illegally placed signs located along City right of ways, medians and utility poles.

Thirty, two-person crews will sweep the City in a concentrated weeklong effort to attack the problem.  After sweep week, many City crews working in the field will add sign removal to their list of responsibilities.

“Citizens are clearly tired of seeing illegally placed signs along Oklahoma City streets and right of ways.  That’s apparent from more than 1,000 phone calls placed to the City’s Action Center this year complaining about the blight,” said City Manager Jim Couch.

The location of City right of ways vary depending on the width of the street.  On most City streets, the right of way is 12 feet from the curb.  Signs are also illegal when placed in medians, parks, on utility poles, hydrants or street signs.  In almost all cases, temporary signs are illegal, regardless of whether they are placed in the median or not.

The number of complaints to the City’s Action Center regarding illegally placed signs has escalated from 166 calls in 2002 to 1,190 objections in 2005.  The Action Center has logged in 1,171 complaints so far this year.

City Council has been strengthening the Municipal Code on sign violations over the past few months.

The Oklahoma Municipal Code Ordinance No. 23143 was amended on October 3 requiring City crews to throw away signs once they are picked up.  In the past, City hauled the signs to a central location where they were stored.  Owners were given an opportunity to buy back their signs for 25 cents per sign.  Revenue from the signs rarely, if ever, eclipsed $100 annually.

The Code was amended again on August 15, allowing City employees other than Police Officers and Code Enforcement Officers to remove illegally placed signs.  More than 300 city employees are now empowered to remove signs in the right of ways.

On November 7 City Council will consider an ordinance amendment related to fines.  This ordinance will increase the fine for repeat offenders from $200 to $500.

For details about the sign ordinance, log on to www.okc.gov.