Political Signs:
Political Signs on Private Property is a GOOD THING...within reason, with
size and quantity limitations, but not necessarily content limitations.
Freedom of Speech is a very important right we ALL should be able to enjoy.
That said, the unregulated placing of Political Signs on Public land is a BAD THING.
In Palm Beach County, Political Signs are to be limited to private property with size restrictions.
There are State Statutes that prohibit the use of ANY KIND OF ADVERTISING in the Right-of-Way.
In addition, Florida State Election Law Prohibit Political Advertisements in the Right-of-Way.
taken August 15, 2006. illegally placed signs far in front of the Utility Pole and Crossing Light.
These signs are not exempt from ANY of the laws that pertain to other illegal signs
and should not be given special consideration. However, most politicians will make threats
if you attempt to remove them. Why should they have more of a right to break the law and litter
the streets than our "WE BUY HOUSES" and "CHEAP LIFE INSURANCE" Guys?
I 've appeared in front of the Board of the County Commissioners multiple times discussing the subject of
illegal advertising on the roadways, utility poles and trees. The consensus of the Board Members was that it is
an epidemic and a blight on Palm Beach County. They encourage the Public at large to pick up signs illegally
placed in the roadways and dispose of them properly.
Listen to Commissioner Burt Aaronson’s comments regarding illegal signs in the right-of-way
at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on September 14, 2004 CLICK HERE
S.W. corner SPW Rd. and Okeechobee Blvd Western Palm Beach County.
taken August 15, 2006. illegally placed signs far in front of the Utility Pole and Crossing Light.
Politicians who ignore the LAW and place their Campaign Advertisements in the Right-of-Way
are attempting to gain an unfair advantage over Candidates who know and Respect the LAW.
The signs are REQUIRED to be picked up after the campaign, many are not, littering the County.
Right-of-Way: “Land reserved, used or to be used for a street, alley, walkway, drainage facility
or other public use or service purpose and the title to which is in public ownership.
Rights-of-way are “owned” by the public.
They are entrusted to various public entities for maintenance.
Ric Bradshaw, the current Sheriff also used illegally placed signs during the 2004 Election.
Taken during 2004 Election. All signs illegally placed on North side of Okeechobee Blvd at 441
Taken during 2004 Election. Ric Bradshaw's signs were illegally placed
on S.W. corner of Okeechobee Blvd and SPW
•
102.091 Duty of sheriff to watch for violations; appointment of special officers.
--The sheriffshall exercise strict vigilance in the detection of any violations of the election laws and in
apprehending the violators. The Governor may appoint special officers to investigate alleged
violations of the election laws, when it is deemed necessary to see that violators of the election
laws are apprehended and punished.
History.
--s. 6, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 3, ch. 65-129.
106.1435 Usage and removal of political campaign advertisements.
--(1) Each candidate, whether for a federal, state, county, or district office, shall make a good faith
effort to remove all of his or her political campaign advertisements within 30 days after:
(a) Withdrawal of his or her candidacy;
(b) Having been eliminated as a candidate; or
(c) Being elected to office.
However, a candidate is not expected to remove those political campaign advertisements which
are in the form of signs used by an outdoor advertising business as provided in chapter 479. The
provisions herein do not apply to political campaign advertisements placed on motor vehicles or
to campaign messages designed to be worn by persons.
(2) If political campaign advertisements are not removed within the specified period, the political
subdivision or governmental entity has the authority to remove such advertisements and may
charge the candidate the actual cost for such removal. Funds collected for removing such
advertisements shall be deposited to the general revenue of the political subdivision.
(
3) Pursuant to chapter 479, no political campaign advertisements shall be erected,posted, painted, tacked, nailed, or otherwise displayed, placed, or located on or above
any state or county road right-of-way.
(4) The officer before whom a candidate qualifies for office shall notify the candidate, in writing,
of the provisions in this section.
(5) This provision does not preclude municipalities from imposing additional or more stringent
requirements on the usage and removal of political campaign advertisements.
History.
--s. 1, ch. 84-221; s. 20, ch. 84-302; s. 14, ch. 87-224; s. 647, ch. 95-147.
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