Joliet posts guidelines for political signs

The city of Joliet is reminding residents of regulations regarding where campaign signs can be placed.

“The city of Joliet zoning ordinance regulates temporary political signs to control the size and location of these signs,” states a news release issued by the city this week.

The release notes that state law prohibits municipalities from regulating how long campaign signs can be posted on residential properties. But cities can regulate the size, height and locations of signs.

Here are the rules in Joliet.

• Signs cannot be larger than 16 square feet in area, which includes the support structure. Signs cannot be more than five feet in height.

• Signs must be placed on private property and not in the city’s right-of-way, which includes the parkway between the street and the sidewalk or in the median. Signs placed here will be removed and discarded.

• Political signs should not be placed any closer than 10 feet from the edge of the pavement.

• In areas where sidewalks are present, signs need to be placed a minimum of two feet beyond the private property side of the edge of the sidewalk.

• The use of trees or utility poles as sign supports or standards is prohibited.

The Joliet sign regulations can be found in Section 47-17.21 of the city zoning ordinance, which is posted on the city website at http://cityofjoliet.info/government/ordinances. Violations are subject to sign removal and fines.

Those with questions or reports of violations can call the city at 815-724-4000.