Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office reminds residents and businesses that posting signs on utility poles, trees and public rights-of-way is illegal and will be removed

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As we move into spring and summer, we also move into yard sale and election time. The Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents and businesses that posting signs utility poles, trees and public rights-of-way is illegal. The Code Enforcement Office is actively monitoring the area to identify violations of this code and remove any illegal signs. 

Illegal signs include, but are not limited to:

Nelsonville City Code 153.130, (full copy of code available at https://tinyurl.com/yfzh7x3b)

(C)   Public right-of-way. Except as specifically authorized herein, no sign of any type shall be placed within the right-of-way line of any public street or roadway except as provided by revocable license. (See R.C. § 723.121.)

(J)   Prohibited signs. Prohibited signs include the following:

  • Any sign creating a traffic hazard;
  • Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any entrance, window, fire escape or attached to a standpipe;
  • Signs deemed by community standards to be obscene or which constitute a public nuisance;
  • Signs which contain lights that exceed ten candle power per square foot of sign;
  • Signs affixed to a tree or utility pole; and
  • Roof signs.

Public right-of-way is the strip of land on which a city street is located including the strips on either side of the street that typically include the tree lawn and sidewalk. The city normally owns the street and those two strips of land. The public right-of-way is public property, but the adjacent property owner is responsible for maintenance.

A typical residential street is built on a 50-foot-wide right-of-way. The street and curb are 28 feet in width and the remaining 11 feet on either side are used for sidewalks, public utilities, tree lawns, and traffic signs.

  1. If you have a sidewalk, typically the edge of the sidewalk closest to your house is the public right of way line, and therefore also your front property line.
  2. If no sidewalk is present, then measure ten feet back from the curb to determine the right-of-way line.

This notice is provided as a courtesy to residents and business owners giving all the opportunity to voluntarily remove any signs that may be in violation and avoid possible removal fees and fines.

Please contact Austin Kelley, Code Enforcement Officer, if you have any questions or concerns. (740 753-1314 or codeenforcement@cityofnelsonville.com