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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Yard sale signs plague city
By Galt Herald Staff
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Attention all light pole advertisers … if you plan on advertising your yard sale, or looking for a lost pet, by posting news of it on city light poles, walls, buildings, or stop signs, you should probably reconsider your advertising options.
According to Section 18.40.120 of the Galt Municipal Code, it is against the law to post yard sale, garage sale, lost pet or any other sign on city property or in a public way. This includes any utility pole, sign pole, or city owned landscaping.
After spending a day collecting dozens of these types of signs from off of city property, city Code Enforcement Officer Rusty Hughes is issuing a warning – if you post your event on city property in the future – you will be fined.
Violators of this city ordinance will be cited in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Galt Municipal Code. A first time offense is a $100 fine, with incremental increases for each additional violation.
“If you would like to advertise a yard sale, please use the newspaper or a sandwich board at the end of your street, that does not obstruct the sidewalk,” said Hughes, “or place the sign on your car window and park the car at the end of your street on the day of the sale only.”
Hughes said, if Galt residents use this type of advertising for a one-day event, it ensures the signs will be removed at the end of the day.
When it comes to lost pets, Hughes said he has sympathy but advises individuals to place lost pet signs in appropriate places with owner consent, like store and restaurant windows, or even with neighbors who want to help.
On the watch for new signs since his clean sweep last week, Hughes reminds everyone they won’t be hard to find if they choose to violate the ordinance.
“All of the information I need to find you is right on your signs. So, be sure if you send the kids or friends out to post advertisements to make sure that they do so legally,” said Hughes. “If they don’t, it will be you I come to see.”
Hughes said, while the city understands that the desire to post events for free on light posts and such is an age-old practice, the city still covers the cost of the “free” practice when the litter and waste start to accumulate.
“It may start with just one little sign, but soon a spot is identified as okay to post and, before too long, there are dozens of old notices and garbage accumulating,” said Hughes. “Let’s all work together and keep our streets and neighborhoods clean.”
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