FSBO, Yard Sales, and the Sign Ordinance

Are you selling a home, advertising a yard sale, or searching for a lost pet? Before slapping signs all over the neighborhood, take the time to learn about your community's sign ordinance. When a private citizen puts up temporary signs in random locations, he runs the risk of having utility or city road crews remove the signs and then being fined by the City Zoning Department for an ordinance violation.

A sign ordinance is basically a city law or "code" that determines the size, style, design, and location of all signs located within the city limits. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide a sort of legal framework for a commercial signage regulation that allows companies to advertise or identify their buildings without ruining the attractiveness of the community. Without a signage ordinance, handbills and billboards could clutter up the landscape and roadways, impair vision, distract motorists, block right of ways, block existing traffic and street signs, and more.

For advertising a home for sale or a yard sale, temporary signage is usually allowed under city ordinance, but do have to follow certain guidelines. These guidelines usually include the size, construction, the length of use, and even the location. Some communities may even require a temporary sign permit. And if you happen to live in a subdivision with covenants and restrictions, there may even be additional restrictions that limit the size and placement of those "for sale" signs that advertise your house and personal property.

Sign ordinances vary from city to city but in most cases, a 24 inch x 24 inch "house for sale" or "yard sale" sign in the front yard is permissible. In our community, signage can only be set up 24 hours before a yard sale and must be removed at the conclusion of the sale. A real estate sign must be removed within seven days of "closing". "Lost dog" signs blanketing neighborhood telephone poles aren't allowed at all.

Prohibited signs that can earn a private citizen a possible fine typically include posters and handbills that are tacked to walls, fences, telephone poles, trees, sheds and other places in public view. Other prohibited signs may include those placed in or on publicly owned property and right of ways, signs that resemble official traffic or road construction signs, or signs that are carnival-like in nature and can distract approaching traffic.

Before investing in a "For Sale by Owner" or "Yard Sale Tomorrow" sign, place a call to the department of Planning and Zoning services in your community. The zoning department can tell you what type of temporary sign is allowed to advertise your home or personal property, and may even direct you to the city web site where the sign ordinance can be read in its entirety. When it comes to advertising your property, knowing the sign ordinance will prevent an unwelcome visit from a City Code Enforcement officer.