CITY
ANNOUNCES A CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIGNS ON PUBLIC
PROPERTY
DATE:
September 6, 2011
TO: New Orleans Cultural and All Other Businesses
FROM: Scott Hutcheson, Advisor to the Mayor on Cultural
Economy; Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy
RE: CITY ANNOUNCES A CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIGNS ON PUBLIC
PROPERTY
The New Orleans City Council recently passed legislation
that prohibits the placement of signs on public streets,
sidewalks, and neutral grounds is part of a city-wide
effort improve the quality of life in the New Orleans
for locals and visitors alike.
In an effort to allow businesses and individuals time to
remove any signs already on public property before
incurring fines and penalties, we strongly encourage the
removal of any signs erected or posted or those which
list your band or business name/venue, phone numbers or
addresses. This amnesty program runs between Monday,
August 29th and Friday, September 9, 2011.
Starting on Monday, September 12th, the City will use
its resources to enforce the existing City Code (Section
134) which prohibits the placement of signs, placards,
posters or other advertisement on public right-of-way
such as on neutral grounds, parks, playgrounds or the
area between the sidewalk and the curb unless written
consent is granted by the City. This includes a
prohibition of such items on utility poles, light
standards, street signs, parking meters and trees. Any
unlawful posting will be removed and disposed. According
to this law, it is also unlawful to distribute or cause
to be distributed, any commercial product samples,
commercial advertising brochures, leaflets, pamphlets or
commercial literature of any kind on the streets and
sidewalks of the City.
We are mindful that cultural businesses may host musical
groups, have gallery openings or other such events that
require advertising. However, the law requires that you
keep signs off of public property and do not distribute
fliers on public streets and sidewalks. Alternative
forms of free or low-cost advertising such as social
media, local resources such radio stations,
publications, on-line listings, phone applications, etc.
are also encouraged.
Section 134 of the City Code also provides for penalties
associated with violations, “the existence of any
illegal sign on the public right-of-way constitutes
prima face evidence that any individual or entity
depicted or advertised on an illegal sign caused,
authorized, allowed, or is allowing the placement or
posting of the signs on public property and is in
violation of this section.” Violation of this section is
punishable by a fine of not more than $25.00 per sign,
per violation and/or community service. If the violation
involves the posting of signs on trees, the fine is
$50.00 per sign and/or community service. The Code also
authorizes the Department of Sanitation or Parks and
Parkways “to invoice any individual or entity depicted
or advertised on the illegal sign for the cost of
removal of the sign”.
CONTACT:
Scott Hutcheson
Advisor to the Mayor on Cultural Economy; Mayor’s Office
of Cultural Economy
City of New Orleans
504-658-4258
cshutcheson@nola.gov
RELATED:
CITY TO LAUNCH BEAUTIFICATION CAMPAIGN
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