What's a cheap way of getting information out to your neighbors? Obviously, the best way is through the Queen Anne News! But for those who miss the deadline, there's always putting flyers on poles. The official term is postering.
Preserving the right to find lost pets, advertise garage sales and promote your local rock 'n' roll band is the purpose of the recently passed postering legislation. And though postering is a big score for "free speech," improper application can create safety hazards and visual blight and/or attract litter accumulation. And so, as always, there are a few rules to remember.
The new city ordinance outlines poster placement, size and length of display. Those placing the posters are responsible for their removal; however, the city can remove signs that are in violation or expired.
Here's a quick review of what you can and can't do when postering in Seattle:
The "Do's"
1. Posters can be hung without a permit; no permit fees are required.
2. Posters can be placed on utility poles, street light poles and traffic sign posts - except that:
* No posters are allowed on stop-sign or yield-sign posts or on the backs of those signs.
* Posters that share poles or posts with traffic signs cannot face the same direction as the traffic signs.
3. Include a printed posting date in the lower left corner of each poster;
4. Make your posters out of thin and flexible paper, cardboard or plastic.
5. Poster size can be up to 24 inches vertical and 18 inches horizontal. If hung on sign posts, signs must not overhang more than 6 inches on each side of the post.
6. Use tape, string or staples not larger than 3/8 inch and 0.050 gauge to attach posters.
7. Posters can be hung up to 7 feet from the ground on poles and posts.
8. Posters may be displayed for 30 days or until the date of any event advertised, whichever time comes first. The person or organization hanging the posters has a 10-day grace period to remove the posters before the city can charge costs for removal.
9. The removal process:
* The person or organization placing the signs is responsible for removing the signs.
* City forces may remove expired signs at any time, but can collect costs only for those signs the city removes after the 10-day grace period.
* The city may remove signs that violate the rules at any time and charge for the costs of removal. There is no grace period for signs in violation of the rules.
* The city encourages self-policing and removal of expired posters so that city forces can be used on other priorities.
The "Do Not's"
1. Do not hang posters on STOP or YIELD signposts or on the backs of those signs.
2. Do not hang posters on structures such as trees, signal control boxes, street furniture, bus shelters, bicycle racks or art. Remember: poles and posts, yes; other structures, no.
3. Don't design your posters to mimic traffic-control signs.
4. Don't hang posters facing the same direction as traffic-control signs on the same pole or post.
5. Don't hang signs that flash, or have any rotating parts, or wind-animated objects, or lights or video display.
6. Don't make your signs out of wood, metal or heavy plastic.
7. Posters over posters are not allowed. Posters can be only one layer thick. This avoids build-up of posters.
8. Don't use glue or nails or staples larger than 3/8 inch and 0.050 gauge to hang posters.
9. Don't hang your posters higher than 7 feet above the ground.
10. Don't leave your posters up beyond their expiration date and grace period.
If there are questions about postering, call John Zavis, Annual Permits Supervisor, Street Use, Seattle Department of Transportation at 684-5267, or e-mail john.zavis@seattle.gov.
And remember, when in doubt use the Queen Anne News!
A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE... is a weekly topical column on neighborhood cleaning tips penned by Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Alliance and Mayor Nickels' "Clean Seattle" Initiative, an interdepartmental as well as public/private partnership designed to effectively focus city resources on designated neighborhoods, educate the public and demonstrably lead citizens to action.
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