City of Clifton, NJ Chapter 185 Political Signs

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the City of Clifton 12-20-1960 by Ord. No. 3319 as Article 6 of Chapter 21 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Clifton, New Jersey, 1960; amended in its entirety 8-18-2009 by Ord. No. 6831-09. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Signs — See Ch. 461, Art. IX.

§ 185-1 Legislative declaration.

The Municipal Council recognizes the fundamental importance of the ability to express political opinions and views. Political expressions are one of the most valued rights, and therefore are afforded the greatest constitutional protections. Political advocacy and expression through the use of political signs have a long tradition in the City's history. However, limited restrictions must be placed upon political signs to ensure the safety and welfare of the people of the City.

§ 185-2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

POLITICAL SIGN

Any sign advancing the candidacy of any candidate or group of candidates for public office or advocating any public policy position, expressly excluding, however, any such signs posted or displayed on existing commercial billboards by or with the consent of the owner.

PUBLIC PLACE or PUBLIC FACILITY

Any property or item used for public purposes, including but not limited to, all public streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public right-of-ways, all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds, buildings, medians, traffic signal facilities, utility poles or any other type of public pole, public trees, litter receptacles, benches, bus shelters, fences, or any object affixed to or placed upon public streets, parking lots or sidewalks which is affixed or placed thereon by any public entity.

§ 185-3 General restrictions.

A. No person shall erect, place or display political signs on any public place or public facility or in a manner in which the political sign projects onto or over any part of any public place or public facility or which rests, wholly or in part, upon, along or over any portion of a public place or public facility. Any political sign that so placed in relation to public property or a public facility shall be subject to removal by the City.

B. No person shall erect, place or display political signs on any private property without the prior consent of the property owner.

C. No person shall erect, place or display political signs in a manner which:

(1) Unreasonably interferes with, obstructs or impedes the free flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic;

(2) Unreasonably interferes with passengers boarding or exiting from buses at designated bus stops;

(3) Unreasonably interferes with or obstructs the use of traffic signals, traffic or street signs, fire hydrants or mailboxes.

D. No person shall erect, place or display political signs:

(1) Within three feet of any crosswalk;

(2) Within 10 feet of any fire hydrant;

(3) Within five feet of any fire lane, fire call box, police call box or other emergency facility.

E. No person shall remove, tear down, deface or destroy any lawfully erected political sign on private property without the consent of the owner of said private property.

§ 185-4 Severability.

If any section or part of this chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this chapter.

§ 185-5 Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of § 185-3 shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.