§ 28-39. Posting advertising matter on utility poles, trees, traffic signs, etc.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    It shall be unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed, whether by posting, nailing, pasting, gluing or the use of any cohesive substance or in any manner whatever, any advertising sign, informational sign, poster, political advertisement, gummed label, bumper sticker, or any other advertising matter whatever on any utility pole, tree, fence, fire hydrant, street light standard, traffic light standard, stop sign or other traffic directional sign standard, or on any other structure of any kind whatsoever located in the public streets, sidewalks, alleyways, easements, public property, or any other public place in this city.

    (b)

    Stake-type signs constructed of cloth, wood, paper or similar lightweight materials that are picked up in the right-of-way may be disposed of immediately. Signage impounded pursuant to this section may be redeemed in the manner specified in section 4608(c)(2) of the Sign Code. The custodian of the storage area shall maintain records of where such signs were located when they were so impounded and the date on which they were so impounded and shall hold the same in the storage area for a period of not more than 30 days. Any signs so held may be redeemed by the owner thereof upon the payment of hauling and storage fees to the city through the custodian thereof. Amounts of the fees are stated in the city fee schedule. Such fee shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any fine imposed upon such owner for violation of this chapter.

    (c)

    Employees of the police department, department of planning and development, department of solid waste management, Houston Public Works, and department of neighborhoods, and certain other city employees as designated by their department director, are hereby authorized to impound any signs found on a public street, public sidewalk or public alley and transport or cause the same to be transported and stored at a location to be designated by the director of the department of neighborhoods or his designee.

    (d)

    Any person violating any provision of this section, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $300.00 nor more than $500.00 for each violation, and each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(Code 1968, § 3-3; Ord. No. 70-1747, § 1, 10-6-70; Ord. No. 92-1449, § 46, 11-4-92; Ord. No. 2014-641, § 2, 6-18-2014; Ord. No. 2018-11 , § 21, 1-10-2018)

Charter reference

Penalty for ordinance violation, Art. II, § 12.

Cross reference

Assessment of fines against corporations, § 16-76; payment of fines, § 16-78; credit against fines for time served in incarceration, § 35-6 et seq.; erecting structures, bill posting, etc., in parks, § 32-32; placing banners, signs, etc., over or across street, § 40-15; advertising material prohibited in shelters for users of public transportation, § 40-200(f)(8).