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Read comments (4)But an irate T-G reader has phoned to complain about the practice, which he termed an eyesore and encroaching on his property.
Yet, the signs are allowed by the city codes -- as long as specific rules are followed.
According to codes official David Langford, such signs placed in the public right of way are not allowed to be over four feet high, and may be no larger than four feet by four feet. If the sign is directly in front of the property for sale, it can be larger.
"Real estate has its own section within the code, with some rules that apply to them [that don't] necessarily apply to regular commercial signage," Langford said.
The signs have to be five feet from the road or the sidewalk, at least four feet high and placed in the right of way, which is established so that motorists have enough visibility at the street corners.
Real estate signs are allowed in both commercial and residential districts, but permission is also needed from property owners before they can be placed on their land.
If permission is not granted, then the property owner can pull the offending sign or ask the city codes department to do so. Langford recommends having the city handle it in order to avoid any altercations over the signs.
Langford said that when complaints are reported to his office, they are typically from one real estate agent informing on another anonymously.
"They tell on each other ... it's an ongoing feud," Langford said.
Langford said that unless the signs are a danger to public safety, the city usually will leave them alone.
I sell real estate in New Jersey. There are some towns that strictly forbid ANY signage, including the subject property. The fines range from $50-100 per sign. You can even get fines for having too many balloons on signs. I understand that too many signs can be an eye sore, but I think that not even being allowed to put a sign on a sellers property is a little much. After all, they own their property and want to sell it, they should be able to advertise that their home is for sale.
"But an irate T-G reader has phoned to complain about the practice, which he termed an eyesore and encroaching on his property."
That wasn't me folks....
Just be sure you own the land. None of us own the land all the way out to the road, your property only goes so far. There is a right of way, that can be used in front of most property. Like the article said, Let Codes handle it.
We own corner property in Bell Buckle. If we allowed any real estate signs, we would be over-run with them. As it is, the corner across from us looks like a graveyard for signs.
We understand the need to advertise, but signs do get annoying and trashy looking when they accumulate on corners.
Most realtors know about us by now, but occasionally a "newbie" sign person will put one up. We call and they remove.