[Adopted 8-21-2000 by Ord. No. 00-6]
The purpose of this article is to regulate the
standards and manner in which handbills and commercial circulars are
distributed within the City of Bridgeton to insure the protection
of the public health, safety and welfare. Furthermore, this article
is designed to improve the overall clean appearance of the City, to
reduce litter, and to preserve aesthetics and property values.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates
that a different meaning is intended:
An advertisement, notice, or statement printed or written
for general distribution in connection with a business or commercial
activity.
An advertisement, notice, or statement printed or written
for general distribution in connection with a noncommercial activity
or event.
A natural person, association, corporation, firm, partnership,
trust or other legal entity.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to circulate handbills
or commercial circulars within the City unless licensed to do so pursuant
to this article.
B.
The license required shall be known as a handbill
license and shall be issued by the Municipal Clerk after payment of
the required fee and compliance with these regulations.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 17-20]
D.
This article shall not apply to legal notices.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 17-20]
The application for the license shall be made
in writing and filed with the Municipal Clerk. Each application shall
contain the following information:
A.
Public property. No person shall deposit, place, scatter
or throw any handbill or commercial circular in or upon any public
property within the City including public grounds, parks, sidewalks
or streets. This subsection does not prohibit the distributing, handing
or transmitting of any handbill or commercial circular to any person
willing to accept it.
B.
Private property. No person shall deposit, place scatter
or throw any handbill or commercial circular in or upon any private
property within the City including buildings, homes, mailboxes, porches,
steps and yards. This subsection does not prohibit the distributing,
handing or transmitting of any handbill or commercial circular to
the owner or occupant of any private property who is willing to accept
it. It shall be lawful for the owner or occupant of any private property
to place a sign in a conspicuous place near the entrance indicating
that no handbills or commercial circulars are desired. In that event,
no person shall go upon the premises so posted to distribute, hand
or transmit any handbill or commercial circular.
C.
Motor vehicle. No person shall deposit, place, scatter
or throw any handbill or commercial circular in or upon any automobile
or other motor vehicle. This subsection does not prohibit the distributing,
handing, or transmitting of any handbill or commercial circular to
the occupant of any motor vehicle who is willing to accept it.
D.
Public safety. No person shall distribute, hand or
transmit any handbill or commercial circular in such a manner as to
impede the free flow of motor vehicle traffic on any street or pedestrian
traffic on any sidewalk, unless otherwise approved by City Council.
Furthermore, no person distributing any handbill or commercial circular
shall annoy or molest any person, group or gathering.
E.
No posting allowed. No person shall affix or attach
any handbill or commercial circular on benches, bridges, culverts,
curbs, fences, hydrants, lamps, public buildings, rocks, sidewalks,
street signs, stumps, trees and utility poles. Handbills and commercial
circulars may be affixed to private buildings with the prior consent
of the owner. They must be removed immediately after the activity
or event is completed.
Any person who shall violate any of these regulations shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty, and any other remediation ordered by the Judge of the Municipal Court, including but not limited to removal of the unlawfully distributed material and/or community service.
