With the general election looming, the Marshalltown City Planner wants to remind citizens of political sign regulations.
At the Marshalltown City Council's Committee of the Whole, Stephen Troskey, city planner, reminded those interested in expressing their political preferences that city ordinance prohibits citizens from placing political signs on a public right of way.
Signs must be on private property, which does not include areas on the side of the sidewalk opposite the property owner's property line. Troskey said city officials will start removing signs that are in violation Wednesday.
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T-R PHOTO BY DAVID ALEXANDER
A political sign posted in the parking lot of the Marshall County Republican Headquarter on Center Street, shown here Monday afternoon, touts Allen Burt, Republican challenger running against Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown for the Iowa District 71. Stephen Troskey, city planner, reminded citizens of regulations regarding political signs at the Marshalltown City Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night.
Dawn Williams, county auditor and recorder, said state law also prohibits corporate donations, which includes posting political signs on that corporation's property. Limited liability corporations are the exception, she said.
Signs are limited to 32 square feet. Troskey said 95 percent of the time the property line is on the sidewalk.