By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.
Those words are as relevant today as they were in 1971 when the Canadian rock group The Five Man Electric Band released their song “Signs.” Be they signs for garage/yard sales, political signs or signs in recognition of high school graduations or birthdays, signs of all kinds are on display at private residences.
As such, the officials from the City of Plainwell want to make sure residents are aware of the rules and regulations when it comes to sign placement.
“It’s that time of year again,” read a post on the city’s Facebook page. “Political signs are already going up around the city, and we want to remind everyone of the guidelines for putting signs up.”
Requirements for common household signs such are for those advertising garage sakes and yard sales are as follows:
• Signs may only be on display for three days.
• Signs may not be erected to utility poles or trees.
• Signs must be on private property only.
When it comes to showing support for your favorite political candidate or cause, the requirements for displaying signs are:
• Signs cannot be placed in the right-of-way or project into it. This is generally means you cannot place signs on the street side of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, the right-of-way generally extends 33 feet from the center of the street.
• Signs may not be erected on utility poles or trees.
• Signs must be placed on private property.
• Signs in residential districts cannot exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height.
• All signs must be removed within 10 days following the election.
“About time to enforce this ordnance,” Ron Mund said in a comment to the city’s post. “Folks that put the yard sale signs all over the city should be held accountable to take them down again. For sure they should never put such signs on city property. (It) makes our beautiful city look bad.
“I am starting to see them everywhere (and) some have been up for a few weeks. We need to get our city cleaned up and keep it clean. Thank you.”
Kim Hill also thanked the city.
“Thank you for the clarification and the reminder,” Hill said in a comment.
