Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs...

As the song goes, they're "Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind... Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign!"


Yes, it's that time of year again, where political signs (along with advertisements for anything from haircuts to mattresses) invade our town.


So, I thought I would try to help get the word out about just WHERE those signs are "OK" and where they are not. NCDOT (as well as the Town) does not allow signage to be placed in its right-of-way (ROW). Signage in the ROW is distracting, aesthetically unpleasing, and can potentially block views of traffic which may lead to accidents. As shown in the attached document from NCDOT, municipalities must also abide by these laws.





















So, you ask, what are the rules? Well, I'm glad you asked!


First, "political signs" include signs, poster, or bills which promote or publicize candidates for public office or issues to be voted on in a general or special election.

The Town may remove and dispose of political signs or any other sign posted in the road right-of-way. The Town will also remove any signs placed on Town property, excluding signs placed at Town Hall on the days that polls are open.

Political campaign signs are allowed on private property, with the property owner's consent. Any such signs, posters or bills may only be displayed 30 days prior to the election and must be removed within 7 days after the election. ONLY ONE SIGN PER CANDIDATE OR PER ISSUE IS ALLOWED ON A ZONE LOT. This means, basically, that you can have several signs for different candidates or different issues...but you may NOT have multiple signs for one single candidate or issue.

Although the campaign may agree to remove any sign, the property owner is ultimately responsible for compliance with the removal policy.

Second, we often get asked the question, "What is the right-of-way?" First, the technical answer: The road right-of way includes the paved road and a strip of land, usually on either side of the road, that is reserved for shoulders, drainage ditches, sidewalks, traffic signs, electrical traffic signal control boxes, utility lines and future road expansion. Because the width of the right-of-way varies, the Town of Jamestown often receives complaints about campaign signs inadvertently placed on public right-of-way. In some cases, the right-of-way extends only a short distance beyond the paved roadway — perhaps just past the shoulder. In other cases, the right-of-way may extend well into what appears to be someone's front yard.

The right-of-way boundary is an invisible line that may not be possible to identify without detailed legal maps and a formal survey. Property owners may not know the exact right-of-way boundary and may have maintained, landscaped or fenced this area. When in doubt about the location of the right-of-way boundary, post the campaign sign on private property well past the point of uncertainty.

That being said (whew!), we try to be as lenient as possible in our interpretation of the ROW's location. Therefore, we ask you to follow these basic "rules of thumb":

1) Signs are generally "OK" when placed on the PROPERTY side of the sidewalk.
2) If there is not a sidewalk, try to stay at least 10-15' from the edge of the asphalt or back of the curbline.
3)If there are telephone/power poles in the vicinity, signs placed on the PROPERTY side of those poles will be fine.
4)If in doubt, call me at 336.454.1138 and I will be glad to meet with you to best determine locations for your signs.

What can be done if signs are posted on private property without permission, you ask? Property owners can contact the campaign to ask to have the sign removed and advise the campaign about the error so it is not repeated. Guilford County Elections, will have the campaign's number if it is not on the sign.

Illegally posted signs cost money and illegally posted signs in the road right-of-way can reduce driver visibility, distract drivers' attention, or force pedestrians and bicyclists into traffic or difficult terrain alongside the road shoulder.

Illegally posted signs also waste taxpayer dollars. Each year, the Town logs numerous complaints about improperly posted signs. Money is wasted when Town crews spend time removing signs before mowing or performing other maintenance activities, and when Town investigators spend time following up on sign complaints.

How to complain about illegally placed signs:

To complain about illegally posted campaign signs on public property, easements or right-of-way in the Town of Jamestown, please call 336.454.1138.