Political signs have not been problem this year

Earl Matherne, with Planning and Zoning, said that the department has not seen many problems with political signs this year.

“Signs have not been a bad problem this year – we have definitely seen worse,” Matherne said.

The parish’s ordinance allows signs that are advertising political candidates or issues to be 16 square feet at most, and the signs must be removed within seven days after the candidate or issue is no longer part of the election process.

It is illegal to place signs on curbstones, lamp posts, telephone poles, power poles, hydrants, bridges, drinking fountains, public trash cans, trees and other public facilities. It is also illegal to place signs on the median of Ormond Boulevard. Signs are also not allowed to restrict a motorist’s field of vision.

He said the most common issue in past years has been people placing the signs in the road, in drainage right-of-ways or on telephone poles – all of which are illegal locations.

“It usually is not malicious,” he said of the placement. “For signs in the right-of-way we normally just pick them up and bring them to the planning department where they can be reclaimed. If the landowner is in the yard we just ask them to move (the signs) back onto the property.

“If it starts to be repetitive, we would contact the candidate to ask their help with the people putting out their signs – that has not happened this year.”

Matherne urged parishioners who see sign violations, especially those signs that obstruct vehicular sight lines, to contact Planning and Zoning at (985)783-5060 to report the problem.