[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the Municipality
of Norristown 6-21-2011 by Ord. No. 11-07[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Littering — See Ch.202.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch.
203, Distribution of Commercial Handbills, adopted 3-15-2011 by Ord.
No. 11-03.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Any printed or written matter, leaflet, pamphlet, poster,
circular, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced literature
that is not subscribed to or otherwise directly requested by the property
owner, which, in any way, advertises for sale any merchandise, product,
commodity or thing or which directs attention to any business or mercantile
establishment or which directs attention to or advertises any meeting,
theatrical performance or an event of any kind for which an admission
fee is charged, whether or not the item contains news articles in
addition to advertising. "Commercial handbill or other unsubscribed
literature" does not include newspapers.
Any newspaper of general circulation as defined by the general
law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post Office Department of
the United States in accordance with federal statute or regulations,
and any newspaper filed and recorded with a recording officer as provided
by general law; and in addition thereto, any periodical or current
magazine regularly published with not less than four issues per year
and sold to the public.
All persons, associations, firms, corporations or other entities distributing commercial handbills or other unsubscribed literature in the Municipality of Norristown shall not distribute such items onto properties on which a sign has been erected stating "No Solicitation or Handbills" pursuant to § 203-3, below.
Any owner of property in the Municipality of Norristown may
erect no more than one sign on their property, attached to the principal
building located on the property, no larger than 18 inches by six
inches in area, that reads "No Solicitation or Handbills," if said
owner does not wish to receive commercial handbills or other unsubscribed
literature. No permit shall be required for the erection of such sign;
however, each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of
such sign and such signs shall not be permitted to fall into a state
of disrepair or illegibility. Signs may be erected pursuant to this
chapter notwithstanding the provisions of the Norristown Zoning Ordinance.
Enforcement of this chapter shall be by the Norristown Police
Department, the Norristown Code Enforcement Office or any other authorized
Municipal official or employee.
A.
Any person, association, firm, corporation or other entity who shall
violate the provisions of this chapter by distributing commercial
handbills or other unsubscribed literature onto a property on which
a sign has been erected pursuant to this chapter shall, after being
found guilty by the local Magisterial District Judge, be subject to
pay a fine of not less than $600 nor more than $1,000 for each property
onto which commercial handbills or unsubscribed literature were distributed
in violation of this chapter. Each day that a violation continues
shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
