[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Dravosburg as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-20-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-02[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was vetoed by
the Mayor 4-10-2007, which veto was subsequently overridden by the
Borough Council 4-17-2007. Ord. No. 2007-03, adopted 5-22-2007, provided
that Ord. No. 2007-02 shall become effective 7-1-2007.
Throughout this article, the following words
shall have the following definitions:
A person seeking election to, or retention in, a public office.
A temporary sign identifying a political candidate, issues,
or political party.
A.
Commencing no earlier than 60 days prior to a primary
or general election, a political sign may be placed within the geographic
limits of the Borough on public property by a party or candidate,
provided the erection and use of such signs does not interfere with
the necessary safe-viewing requirements of motorists and the necessary
safe walking requirements of pedestrians.
B.
No political sign shall be erected or placed in or
on any private property without the express permission of the owner
or occupant of such property.
C.
The posting of a political sign on a public utility
pole, public utility structure or to otherwise affix said sign to
a tree, rock or other natural feature is prohibited.
D.
No political sign erected and used on public property
under this article shall exceed 16 square feet in area.
[Amended 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
E.
No more than 30 political signs shall be placed by
a single candidate or party on public property within the Borough
prior to any election.
A political sign erected or utilized pursuant
to the provisions of this article shall be removed by the political
candidate or party within five days after the election for which the
sign is erected or used.
Prior to the erection or use of any political
signs in the Borough pursuant to the provisions of this article, the
erector or user of such signs, or an authorized agent of the political
party, shall apply for and obtain a permit from the Borough for the
erection and use of such sign at a cost of $10 and, additionally,
deposit with the Borough at the time of his/her application a sum
in the amount of $50 as a guaranty that any sign posted by a candidate
or party shall be removed promptly within five days after the election
for which the sign is posted or used. If such signs are not removed
at the end of such five-day period, the Borough shall remove any such
signs posted and keep the full sum deposited to reimburse the expense
incurred by it.
The Borough shall be entitled to receive from
a political candidate or party a sum as set forth from time to time
by resolution of the Borough Council for every political campaign
sign removed by the Borough where unusual effort is needed to remove
a sign, such as the cutting or removal of supporting structures, use
of aerial devices, towing of trailer signs or other unusual situations.
A political sign erected or used in violation
of this article is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and may
be abated as such by the Borough. The collection of removal fees for
a political sign as set forth in this article shall not preclude the
Borough from abating such nuisance or prosecuting any person violating
this article.
Any person violating the provisions of this
article shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon summary conviction
thereof, shall be subject to a fine of $600 for each separate violation
of this article, and any person in default of such payment shall be
subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days.
