[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Allentown 7-16-1986 by Ord. No. 12719 (Article 722 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ELECTION
Any regularly scheduled primary or general election, or any special election authorized by the Election Board of the County of Lehigh.
POLITICAL SIGN
Any temporary sign which publicizes the candidacy or promotes the election of any contestant for elected public office, or which advocates a particular position on any referendum appearing on an election ballot.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN
Any temporary sign announcing an upcoming event, of whatsoever nature. This does not include yard or garage sale signs.
SPONSOR OF A SIGN
As follows:
A. 
For a political sign, the contestant for elected public office whose candidacy is advertised on the sign or, if applicable, the committee or organization promoting the election of said contestant; or the individual, group, organization or other entity listed on the sign as advocating the advertised position on a referendum.
B. 
For a special event sign, the individual, organization, corporation, government body, or other entity listed on the sign as the producer, promoter or offerer of the event advertised.
C. 
For a yard or garage sale sign, the individual, family, or other entity residing at the address listed on the sign.
STREETLIGHT STANDARD
Any pole or standard to which is attached a device used for illuminating a street, sidewalk, or other portion of any public right-of-way.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign, poster, placard, or other advertising device pertaining to an event of a fixed and limited time or duration and intended for a limited period of display.
UTILITY POLE
Any pole or standard owned, maintained, serviced, or in any other way utilized by any regulated public utility, and located within the corporate limits of the City of Allentown.
YARD OR GARAGE SALE SIGN
Any temporary sign announcing an upcoming public sale or items taking place at a private residence. This shall include, but not be limited to, yard sales, garage sales, and porch sales.
Temporary signs are prohibited as follows:
A. 
No temporary sign shall be affixed to any utility pole or streetlight standard by means of nails, tacks, staples, or any other metal or hard substance or so as to cover the identifying label of the pole.
B. 
No temporary sign affixed to any utility pole or streetlight standard shall have a glue, gum-backing or other adhesive-backing.
C. 
No temporary sign shall exceed 30 inches in height or 24 inches in width.
D. 
No temporary sign shall be affixed in any manner to any tree or shrub in the public right-of-way.
E. 
No temporary sign shall be posted on the Hamilton Mall or on any other City property.
F. 
No temporary sign shall be so posted or constructed as to impair, impede, or otherwise obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic along a public right-of-way or to obstruct the clear view of the entire public right-of-way by any pedestrian or vehicle operator.
G. 
No temporary sign shall be posted on any traffic control device, as defined in Chapter 615, Vehicles and Traffic.
H. 
No yard or garage sale sign which does not include the address and date of the sale may be posted.
A. 
Political signs may not be posted to a utility pole or streetlight standard earlier than 45 days prior to an election. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the election.
B. 
Special event signs may not be affixed to a utility pole or streetlight standard earlier than 30 days prior to the event advertised. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the event. In cases where a special event sign lists more than one event, or an event which occurs on multiple days, following the last date or event listed thereon.
C. 
Yard or garage sale signs may not be affixed to a utility pole or streetlight standard earlier than three days prior to the sale advertised. Such signs shall be removed within 24 hours following the close of the sale.
This chapter shall not be construed to grant permission to any person, entity, organization or corporation to use any utility pole or other property for the posting of signs nor shall it be considered to infer the consent of the owner thereof.
A. 
No person, other than the property owner of the property posted, shall post a temporary signs without first registering the name and mailing address of the sponsor of said sign in the Zoning Office. Such registration shall not be construed to grant permission to post temporary signs on the property of another without said property owner's consent.
B. 
For 10 or more signs to be posted, a permit must be obtained in the Zoning Office stating the applicant's name, address, telephone number and the purpose of the sign. The fee as required herein shall be established pursuant to the Home Rule Charter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
In all cases in which temporary signs are posted, it shall be the responsibility of the sponsor of the sign to insure that each sign is posted and removed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
If any signs are found to have been posted in violation of this chapter, or to have remained posted beyond the specified time period for removal of signs, the sponsor of the signs shall be liable to punishment under the terms of this chapter.
[Amended 1-16-1991 by Ord. No. 13046]
The Bureau of Code Enforcement and the Police Department shall be responsible for enforcing all provisions of this chapter.
Any person or persons who violates any provisions of this chapter and who fails to comply with any requirements hereof within seven days of being sent notice shall be guilty of a violation. A fine of $10 shall be paid for the first violation of each sign and a fine of $5 for each sign shall be paid for each day thereafter that a violation continues.