For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Handbill
means any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper or booklet, or any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any matter of literature.
Newspaper
means any newspaper of general circulation as defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the United States Postal Service in accordance with federal statute or regulation, and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recording officer as provided by general law, and in addition thereto shall mean and include any periodical or current magazine regularly published with not less than four issues per year, and sold to the public, and shall mean and include any other copyrighted material.
Vehicle
means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(1976 Code, sec. 3-13; 1998 Code, sec. 3-31; 2013 Code, sec. 34-154)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the distribution of mail by the United States, or to newspapers, except that newspapers shall be placed on private property in such a manner as to prevent their being carried or deposited by the elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or upon private property.
(1976 Code, sec. 3-14; 1998 Code, sec. 3-32; 2013 Code, sec. 34-155)
No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any handbill in or upon private premises which are inhabited, except by handling or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant or other person then present in or upon such private premises; provided, however, that in case of inhabited private premises which are not posted, such person, unless requested by anyone upon such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or upon such premises if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such premises or sidewalks, streets or other public places, and except that mailboxes may not be so used when so prohibited by federal postal law or regulation.
(1976 Code, sec. 3-15; 1998 Code, sec. 3-33; 2013 Code, sec. 34-156)
No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any handbill upon any private premises, if requested by anyone thereon not to do so, or if there is placed on such premises a sign bearing the words “No Trespassing,” “No Peddlers or Agents,” “No Advertisements,” or any similar notice, indicating in any manner that the occupants of such premises do not wish to have their right of privacy disturbed, or to have any handbills left upon such premises.
(1976 Code, sec. 3-16; 1998 Code, sec. 3-34; 2013 Code, sec. 34-157)
It shall be unlawful for any person to hand out or distribute or sell any handbill in any public place, except that a handbill may be personally delivered to any person willing to accept the same.
(1976 Code, sec. 3-19; 1998 Code, sec. 3-37; 2013 Code, sec. 34-160)