First and foremost, I want to thank Tim Randle for this site. Great Work!! I was waiting for something like this to come along.
My question. I have heard it all along that bandit signs brings in the best response. But I also heard that some county guidelines prohibit use of Bandit signs. I do see a lot of them in and around Austin.
So are they legal? Are there any guidelines? If yes, where can I find out more details about it?
MK
MK,
Welcome, and thanks.
Bandits have always been my best method, and yes, there are restrictions. A few years ago, I paid individuals to put them out and then I used the same folks that put out the homebuilder signs for about two years after that, then went back to individuals, and currently aren’t doing any.
Cities and counties typically have a 10’ right of way and signs, if allowed, aren’t supposed to be in the right of way. There are certain exemptions for politicians and real estate signs.
It’s been a while since I read the codes and they were very vague, but real estate signs (intended for REALTORS and homeowners) were allowed for the weekends. So, my rationale was always that I could do weekends. I had my folks put them out Friday nights and pick up on Sunday nights.
The anti-sign folks were making headway in recent months, but I’ve heard the Republican party got an injunction against them, so in theory, all sign-pulling has halted.
As far as results go, obviously, I had much better results the times I left signs out permanently. I had many more calls from angry citizens as well. If you adhere to the weekend only rule and place them 10’ from the road, you will still get calls, especially in this market, but this will be less than if you were closer to the road.
Some folks take bandits very seriously and will slice them, paint them, sticker them, or simply pull them and leave them. I’m not able to figure out how that helps “beautify” Austin, but each to their own I guess. To me, it’s similar to speeding - against the rules, but not a major offense and not likely to hurt someone else unless done to excess.
Personally, as I said, I could rationalize/justify/whatever you want to call it, the weekend only thing. I wish I could point you to the specific code, but I never bookmarked it years ago.
Also, allegedly Cedar Park allows folks to buy weekend permits, but the anti-signs folks just ignore that anyway. I think Austin is considering allowing permitting for weekends as well as a revenue generator.
Hope that helps…
I am a complete newbie just starting to learn about investing in real estate.
What do you mean by “bandit signs?”
City certifies first class of Sign Rangers to help inspectors collect bandit signs
For immediate release
Aug. 27, 2002
Contact: Matt Christianson, Neighborhood Planning & Zoning Department, (512) 974-6470; pager (512) 802-3614
Sherry Mitchell, Police Department, (512) 459-4309; pager (512) 802- 4852
The City of Austin kicked off today, Aug. 27, the Sign Ranger training course to certify community volunteers who will help City code enforcement officers rid Austin of bandit signs – illegal signs placed in the rights of way.
The first group of Sign Rangers must first attend a three-day training course at 1009 E. 11th St., first floor, to provide an orientation and overview on the Volunteers in Policing (VIP) program.
The course schedule includes:
9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Aug. 27. Introduction to the volunteer handbook; mission and vision of Citywide initiative; volunteer oath of service.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28. Sign Ranger overview provided by City code inspector; field training exercise.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29. Field training exercise and introduction of abandoned vehicle program.
The Sign Ranger Program is part of a campaign to educate the general public and key stakeholders about illegally installed signs and enforce the sign ordinance.
Section 25-10-103 of the City’s Land Development Code states that signs are prohibited in public right of way (ROW). This means that a person may not install or use a sign maintained on a structure located on or over public property or public right of way. This ordinance has been on the City’s books for almost 20 years.
The City Manager and code enforcement staff working under the City Manager’s direction have the authority to remove a sign or other advertisements located on public property or public right of way. The City has implemented the Sign Ranger Program to provide training for community members who want to do their part to help enforce the citywide initiative to rid Austin of bandit signs.
Some of the most common types of bandit signs seen every day on City intersections and streets are:
Garage sale notices.
Employment solicitations.
Local business advertisements.
Political campaign signs.
Directional signs for new homes and development.
The Sign Ranger training is offered as part of the Austin Police Department Volunteers in Policing (VIP) program, a program initially designed to certify volunteers as Abandoned Vehicle Unit Taggers.
Representatives of the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department teamed up with Police staff to implement the Sign Ranger training as part of the VIP program. To learn more about bandit signs and the City’s enforcement initiative, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/doorstep/02/june_02.htm.
Sign of the times: City cracks down on bandit signs
Having a garage sale? Better think twice before placing a sign on a nearby intersection advertising the event.
The City of Austin is cracking down on bandit signs ? illegal signs placed in public right of way. Why? Clearing up a few questions is the first step at solving the citywide problem.
What are bandit signs?
Section 25-10-103 of the City’s Land Development Code states that signs are prohibited in public right of way (ROW). This means that a person may not install or use a sign maintained on a structure located on or over public property or public right of way. This ordinance has been on the City’s books for almost 20 years.
The City Manager and code enforcement staff working under the City Manager’s direction have the authority to remove a sign or other advertisements located on public property or public right of way. The City doesn’t have to provide notice to remove or dispose of the illegally erected sign.
Some of the most common types of bandit signs seen every day on City intersections and streets are:
Garage sale notices.
Employment solicitations.
Local business advertisements.
Political campaign signs.
Directional signs for new homes and development.
In many cases, the person installing the sign is not aware he is breaking the law.
How is right of way defined?
Right of way is legally defined in Section 25-1-21 of the Land Development Code as “land dedicated or reserved for streets, utilities or other public facilities.”
Most often, the public can assume that land up to 10 feet back from the street on public property is considered public right of way for most neighborhood streets. As a general reference point, the land between the expansion joint of a driveway and the street is typically the public right of way.
How big is the problem?
City officials received more than 1,000 citizen complaints on new sign violations last year. For each complaint, citizens typically reported about five locations where illegal signs were erected. By the end of this year, code inspectors anticipate removing more than 21,000 illegal ROW signs. And that’s just scratching the surface of the problem.
Until recently, the volume and incidence of illegal signs that are erected each day simply exceeded the City’s dedicated resources to handle enforcement. Illegal ROW signs is just one of many types of code violations handled by the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department each day. Unfortunately, looking around Austin lately reveals a problem that is out of control.
City officials want to clean up the problem and in the process ? clean up Austin!
Where is the problem?
Sign violations occur throughout the City and are prevalent in public ROW, which are areas dedicated for streets, utilities or other public facilities.
Recent complaints indicate there are certain heavier hit areas in Austin for illegal signs. But the problem exists citywide. You will find these illegal signs practically everywhere. They are placed on utility poles, nailed to trees and stuck in the ground along busy streets, highways and medians all over Austin.
When does the problem occur?
Illegal postings of signs in the ROW most often occur during evening or early morning hours and on weekends. It’s common practice for businesses to contract with sign-installers who place these signs in strategic places across the City.
You may be wondering who is held responsible for these illegal signs? Section 25-10-103 of the Land Development Code states that “the primary beneficiary of any sign installed in violation with this section of the code is presumed to have authorized or caused the installation, use or maintenance of the sign?commits an offense.”
It’s a Class C misdemeanor. In many cases, the information listed on the sign reveals the identity or contact information for the primary beneficiary ? a business or property owner. In other cases, particularly those businesses outside of Austin, tracking down the primary beneficiary can be very difficult. Most of the violations occur because the public is just not aware that erecting signs in the public ROW is a violation of City ordinance.
City officials need your help spreading the word. And it all begins with educating the public about the City ordinance and what it means.
How is the City tackling the problem?
New solutions for an old problem! The City has taken a serious look at this problem and recently researched how other cities deal with bandit signs.
With the help of other City departments and citizen volunteers, the City will launch a collaborative plan to significantly reduce the number of illegal ROW signs throughout Austin.
City staff is taking action in several new ways:
The City has launched an aggressive public information and education campaign designed to educate the general public and key stakeholders about the sign ordinance. Staff will provide targeted educational outreach to the sign-making industry, local area businesses and groups posting temporary bandit signs in the public right of way to advertise a product, business location or event.
The City has cross-trained other departments that have crews already working in the public ROW to help remove illegal signs. The City now has additional resources other than code enforcement personnel to assist in removing illegal signs.
The City has launched a Volunteer Sign Ranger Program to get the community’s help as well. The program is possible through a new partnership with the Austin Police Department’s Community Liaison Office, which coordinates the recruitment and training of volunteers. Volunteers must complete intensive training and are highly visible to the public. Program uniforms and City identification are issued to volunteers who travel in City vehicles when on duty. Volunteers work throughout the year with City staff to remove illegal signs. Interested citizens are already signing up!
Keep Austin Beautiful has agreed to help sponsor, plan and organize the City’s first annual clean-up effort to focus primarily on removing illegal signs? the Great City Signoff.
The City has begun filing charges against businesses and individuals (repeat violators) who knowingly violate the sign ordinance. A violation of the sign ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor and carries fines up to $500 per violation.
What can you do to help?
Take a look around. There are probably bandit signs erected on intersections and along streets near your home.
Sign up for the Volunteer Sign Ranger Program to help rid your community of bandit signs and, in turn, clean up your neighborhood.
Participants in the program will receive training about sign regulations and how to identify and safely remove illegal signs. Volunteers will be required to follow City of Austin policies and procedures, similar to APD’s Abandoned Vehicle Tagger’s Volunteer Program.
Sign Rangers will have scheduled work hours and work in “buddy teams” or directly with code enforcement staff. They will be assigned to an area of Austin and have access to staff for guidance and supervision.
To become a Volunteer Sign Ranger, contact Sherry Mitchell, Austin Police Department, (512) 459- 4309; or Gloria Quinonez, Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department (512) 974-7673.
For more information about the City’s Sign Initiative or to report the location of illegal ROW signs, contact Jesse Washington, Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department, (512) 974-6576. E-mail information to bruna.quinonez@ci.austin.tx.us.
:help
During last years elections, the republican party got an injunction allowing signs to be left up until a judge heard the case. They were making it a freedom of speach issue.
The article ran in the statesman last fall. I can’t seem to find it. If anyone knows what’s going with the lawsuit or has a copy of the article please post it.
Thanks,
Stacy
Stacy… cool avatar!
Here’s the story
The city of Austin did not hold its “Great Austin Sign-Off” last weekend as scheduled, after the Travis Co. Republican Party secured an injunction halting the cleanup from U.S. District Judge James Nowlin. The city has, with much publicity, been targeting “bandit signs” – including, of course, campaign signs – in or near the public rights-of-way. It’s that “near” – within 10 feet – that irks the Travis GOP, which feels the city sign ordinance violates freedom of speech, and worried that the city’s volunteer “sign rangers,” including Boy and Girl Scouts, would be unduly zealous in their cleanup efforts. Meanwhile, the City Council is considering amending the ordinance to exempt “noncommercial” signs for lost pets, garage sales, and the like. – M.C.M.
Adam,
Thanks!
I can’t wait to see what comes out of all this. I hope the decision will be in our favor.
:deal
Stacy
What did happen?
Edit: I was in contact today with Matt Christianson (see press release posted earlier). He directed me to this website for the actual code.
He also did mention that the code will probably be changing. How…I’m not sure…but he did say that it had a lot of input from the public…as soon as July from his estimates from their meetings…so I imagine it can’t be very good for us. :-/ The draft of the new code for voting on will be posted on the city’s website http://www.ci.austin.tx.us when it is made public.