I've started to notice a growing trend of this horrific garbage in our largest communities. This summer, while living near Des Moines, I started to see that the street spam seemed to be multiplying, and on a trip to Cedar Falls today I saw more SS than I'd ever seen before, and I removed two of the offending signs. I'm going to call the CF chamber of commerce sometime this week to find out what the city's official stand on this matter is, and if they are publicly against it I will start attacking the SS in full force.
Iowa Code, Section 319.12 Billboards, reflectors, and signs prohibited.
No billboard, advertising sign or device, fence other than right of way boundary fence, or other obstruction except signs or devices authorized by law or approved by the highway authorities shall be placed or erected upon the right of way of any public highway, nor shall any vehicle be abandoned upon the right of way of any public highway.
It states that advertising is prohibited within 660 feet of interstate highway right of way, except if the property is for sale or if it's within a commercial or industrial zone of a municipality.
As far as local governments are concerned, they can pass their own laws and ordinances which might be more restrictive than state law. I should also mention at this point that I'm not a lawyer, just a person who can find laws using a Web browser.
Again, welcome to CAUSS, and thanks for helping out in your city!
Keep in mind that the COC may not be interested in street spam for two reasons: a) it's not their job (it's the job of Code Enforcement and the Iowa Dept. of Transportation), and b) you may embarass them about a problem they have been ignoring.
So if they don't show much interest, that doesn't mean that you can't clean up your corners. Code Enforcement may not show much interest either because of staffing and the embarassment factor - or they may be quite interested. You may get different reactions from various CE departments.
I have found that the best approach is to start a grassroots effort to remove signs. Stickering helps a lot, although I know that CAUSS does not formally condone stickering. Send me a private email to discuss such a program in more detail).
I have recently become aware of causs.org and the information has been extremely helpfull. I am a Code Inspector in Southeast Iowa and take a very agressive stand against SS. At this point in time we have reduced ss by 90%.I was able to locate the regional office of the Affordable Health Insurance Co. and informed them that we have zero tolerance for illegal ss and if they continued posting in our town we would seek legal action. Two (2) weeks have passed and no new signs as of yet. They use both the large polycarbon type plcard (red & white) and small paper fliers with tear off tabs in parking lots and on vending machines.) FYI the # is 1-888-293-2993
Thanks for the followup. Let us know if we can help in any way. Also please take note of our National Code Enforcement Contact list. If wish to have your CE department listed, please forward the phone or fax number and email address information to ce@causs.org.
Again, thanks for the information and Welcome to CAUSS
Welcome to CAUSS! I have found that Code Enforcement officers in the metro Denver area to be great folks, courteous, and willing to deal with the street spam problem. Glad you are taking a strong stand on it, too.
Two of the biggest problems we have right now are the Affordable Health Insurance scam signs, and the We Buy Houses scams. Have you seen many of the houses signs?
