Sunday, July 5, 2002
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Sunday, July 5, 2002 |
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Fayetteville clears up sign rules for candidates By MONROE
ROARK
With the campaign season nearly in full swing, Fayetteville officials have taken steps in the past week to clarify any possible confusion about the city's sign ordinance as it relates to political signs. City Manager Joe Morton released a written statement late last week about the sign ordinance, which was amended in January at the recommendation of the city attorney based on recent court decisions concerning local government sign ordinances. The most recent ordinance is now on the city's Web site at www.fayetteville-ga-us.org, City Clerk Judy Stephens said Wednesday. A major change adopted by the City Council earlier this year was that signs would no longer be regulated based on content or to provide preference to commercial speech over noncommercial speech, Morton said. Signs are now regulated based on size, height, shape, design and spacing, but with no distinction between commercial or noncommercial regarding the content. Stake signs, which are possibly the most common political signs, are permitted under the city's ordinance, and are also classified as exempt signs and not in need of city permits. The ordinance defines a stake sign as "any temporary sign supported by uprights which are placed into the ground, and not supported by or suspended from any building with Signable Area not greater than five square feet. Stake signs may not be more than five feet high to the top of the sign component, when placed and standing in ground. A stake sign may not be placed within the right-of-way." All residential properties are allowed two stake signs throughout the year and all properties are allowed four stake signs for 30 days preceding an election. Anyone needing more information concerning Fayetteville's sign ordinance is encouraged to contact the Planning Department at 770-461-6029.
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