Sick of that political banner? Here's how a few Ohio cities regulate campaign signs

Sick of the candidate names your neighbor has plastered across their lawn ?

Are you wondering if that one political banner is bigger than allowed? Or is it too early for someone to display campaign signs in your neighborhood?

Regulations of election posters in yards or on buildings vary throughout Ohio from one city or village to another.

Some towns are very specific about when signs can go up and when they must be taken down, while others have no rules addressing such advertisements.

State campaign laws require ad funding disclosures and prohibit the use of false statements, but placement, length of time and size of political signs are all governed individually by incorporated areas.

Variation in sign laws displayed in Crawford County

The juxtaposition of campaign sign laws across The Buckeye State is on full display in Crawford County.

The county seat, Bucyrus, is to the west with a population of 11,500.

Residents there are free to display campaign signs well before and long after an election, according to Mike Keefe, the city's zoning administrator.

"The city of Bucyrus doesn't have any duration or time limits on how soon a sign can go out, or duration after to have it be removed," Keefe said.

City code does regulate temporary signs in Bucyrus, though. They have to be smaller than 20 square feet, secured to prevent movement, and cannot be placed within a public right-of-way, or affixed to any public utility pole or street tree.

Although it doesn't address campaign signs directly, Bucyrus city code does state: "In no event shall a temporary sign advertising or promoting a specific event be allowed to remain standing for more than 7 days past the date or event highlighted by the sign."

On the east side of Crawford County is Galion, population 10,400. Similarly sized, but very different rules.

Residents there must obey a city ordinance that restricts the display of candidate signs and is enforced by the building inspector, according to Matt Echelberry, the city's communications director.

That law reads: "Signs or posters concerning candidates for elective office, public issues and similar matters to be decided by public election, to be displayed beginning not more than 45 days prior to the first day on which votes may be cast for the election, and to be removed not later than 3 days after such election. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, shall not be illuminated and shall not be located within a public right-of-way nor be affixed to any public utility pole or street tree. In addition such sign shall not be located in any manner so as to create a safety or visibility hazard."

Campaign sign violations in Marion could face $150 fine

In Marion, the only city in Marion County, sign regulations are enforced by the zoning department with assistance from the regional planning commission, according to Mark Russell, the city's law director.

"In summary, political signs are considered temporary non-accessory signs that can be any size and must come down 14 days after they are useful," Russell said.

Sign violations in Marion are subject to a minor misdemeanor citation with a $150 maximum fine for each charge.

Few restrictions on campaign signs for residents of Richland County

Toward the northwest corner of Richland County is Shelby.

There is no ordinance specifically about campaign signs there, according to according to Joe Gies, the city's projects coordinator.

"We would treat them more like a temporary sign," Gies said. "They shouldn'’'t be out more than 30 days before the election and have to be removed five days after the election."

Shelby has no size restrictions on temporary signs, but they may not block the view of traffic and cannot be placed in the city's right-of-way.

"Offenders can be charged with a minor misdemeanor," Gies said. "We would talk with property owners to get compliance before pressing charges. There really hasn't been much of a problem."

In the center of Richland County are the cities of Ontario and Mansfield, the county seat.

Mansfield city code says temporary signs may not be placed "upon a sidewalk, curb, safety strip, street, alley or any other public property." Signs are never allowed to "obscure traffic or constitute a safety hazard."

The messages written on campaign signs and the length of the time they are displayed are not restricted by the city, which Mayor Jodie Perry said makes sense considering the First Amendment.

"In general, I would say that the right to free speech really limits any enforcement on these," Perry said. "But we do ask for the campaign's cooperation in keeping them in the right of way areas, and typically we have pretty good cooperation."

In Ontario, city code restricts a lot of temporary signs, but campaign signs are not subject to restrictions because of the following city exemption: "Signs advocating political, religious, or philosophical points of view that are located on private property."

Political signs in Ashland allowed 90 days before election

The only place city laws don't apply are near where votes are cast, according to Shannon Johnson, deputy director of the Ashland County Board of Elections.

"Boards of election are responsible to govern the polling location and 100 feet from the entrance," Johnson said. "We teach our workers to ask campaigners to stay outside that perimeter. If they do not comply, we will call law enforcement."

Outside that restricted area, Ashland city code permits: "Political signs not exceeding 6 square feet in area, provided such signs shall be placed no earlier than 90 days before election day and removed within 2 weeks following election day."

Cities such as Rittman planning to update political sign laws

Some cities, such as Rittman in northeast Wayne County, are still using outdated political sign laws that likely will be updated by the next election cycle, according to Matthew Simpson, the city's law director.

"We are in the process of entirely rewriting our sign ordinance to bring it up to date," Simpson said. "In general, the only provision of the sign ordinance being enforced currently are size requirements, as portions of the ordinance are not appropriate for enforcement as written."

None of the size requirements apply specifically to campaign signs, either, leaving few restrictions this year on political displays in Rittman.

Temporary signs in Wooster are subject to several standards that are outlined in the city's codified ordinances.

"Unless otherwise stated, a sign permit for temporary signs shall be required for temporary signs that exceed 12 square feet," city code reads.

Signs must be secured against the wind, may not be illuminated in any way, and cannot be protrude above the roofline of a structure.

In Orrville, city code only addresses signs that could interfere with traffic: "No person shall erect or string advertising or political signs and banners, or any other device across any street or other public place in the city, except as permitted by the building code or the zoning code."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Sick of that political banner? Here's how a few Ohio cities regulate campaign signs