City of Greensboro Cracks Down on Illegal Signs

The city of Greensboro is cracking down on the illegal use of signage.

However, they realize that you might not know what’s legal so they are taking the time to educate the public and giving a 15 day warning period to remove your signs before implementing a fine. Illegal signs include advertisement and other signs put up on utility poles and in medians on busy roads. Attaching to utility poles and posting signs in medians is never legal.

Keeping Greensboro Beautiful

The crackdown is not only about safety, but also about keeping the city beautiful.

“The City of Greensboro regulates signage as a means to limit potential hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic and preserve property values by preventing unsightly and cluttered development, while providing adequate business identification and advertising opportunities.”

I am thrilled that the city is taking these steps. “Bandit” signs are a tremendous eyesore. Yes, we use them and they’re highly effective, but they’re hideous! As long as no one is doing it, everyone wins! And there are plenty of other, though more expensive, ways to market.

So what’s illegal?

The Planning and Community Development Department has focused on the removal of illegal portable signs (signs not attached to the ground or a structure that is not readily movable) and illegal signs attached to utility poles in public right-of-ways.

Portable signs and signs attached to roadside appurtenances (including utility poles) are prohibited throughout the City via the provisions of Section 30-14-4 of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) and subject to confiscation and disposal.

Real estate directional signs have specific standards we must follow:

1. No more than one off-site directional real estate sign per direction and per property, development
   or company may be placed at a street intersection where a prospective client must make a turn to travel to the subject property.
2. Signs for the same developer/builder/company must be spaced at least 600 feet from all other signs unless they are placed at a street intersection where a prospective client must make a turn to travel to the subject property.
3. Signs shall not be placed on lands within the public rights-of-way that are entirely surrounded by public streets, such as roadway medians and traffic islands.
4. Signs shall be placed so as not to interfere with or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or obstruct sight distances at intersections.
5. Except with the permission of the property owner or occupant, signs shall not be located in front of or abutting a lot containing a single-family detached dwelling.
6. Signs shall only be displayed from 12 Noon on Friday to 12 Noon the following Monday.
7. Signs shall be freestanding, may not be anchored to a sidewalk or attached to utility poles or other structures or appurtenances.
8. Additional devices, including balloons, may not be attached to or otherwise made part of any sign.
9. Such signs may not exceed 6 square feet in area.