Bellflower : Political Sign Law Passed

In the wake of a council flap over the length of time political signs are posted in Bellflower, the City Council has passed a law prohibiting all temporary signs, handbills and posters on city streets and other public property.

The law, which the council approved by a 3-2 vote, directs city staff members to issue a 5-day notice to remove signs posted illegally on traffic signs, telephone poles, electrical boxes, bus stops, fire hydrants, lamp posts, publicly owned trees and bridges. Owners of temporary signs who do not follow the order face fines of between $2 and $10.

“The lack of regulation of temporary signs has in the past led to visual clutter within the community and aesthetic blight,” the ordinance says.

The idea was initially brought up by Councilman Joseph E. Cvetko, who complained that political signs often remain posted on city streets for almost a year. Cvetko, who felt that the final draft of the ordinance was “too weak” because it does not direct political signs on private property to be taken down after an election, joined Mayor Kenneth J. Cleveland in casting the dissenting votes.

The ordinance includes regulations for all temporary signs because of concerns that an ordinance dealing solely with political banners could be challenged on First Amendment grounds, City Atty. Maurice O’Shea said.

The ordinance also prohibits posting of signs on residential property that is within 30 feet of an intersection.