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Campaign Sign Regulations
CAMPAIGN SIGNS AND THE ELECTIONS:
Before each election, thousands of political
campaign signs appear in the City of Omaha and the
surrounding areas within Douglas County. Campaign
signs play an instrumental role in establishing a
candidate's identity and acquainting the public with
the names of citizens who are running for public
office.
Unfortunately, many signs are placed in locations
that violate city, county, state and federal
laws. In many instances, signs can pose a threat
to public safety, especially when they appear
in intersections, medians, ditches, on bridges,
utility poles, interstate exits and entrance
ramps, or along sidewalks. In some instances,
signs are (illegally) placed on public property
or on private property without the owner's permission.
The Douglas County Election Commission has
prepared this information as a service to
better inform candidates for political office
(and the public they intend to represent) about
the laws that govern the use of political signs.
In addition, information is provided about the
penalties for non-compliance and about the various
agencies, departments, or offices that are charged
with the responsibility of enforcing the rules
and regulations governing political signs.
Please
be advised that the Election Commission has no
role in enforcing the applicable laws regarding
campaign signs. We recommend that you consult
legal counsel prior to designing or distributing
campaign signs.
POLITICAL SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY OF OMAHA:
It is unlawful for any candidate for any
public office, or for any person acting for or on
the candidate's behalf, to fasten or attach in any
manner whatsoever any political or campaign sign,
poster, advertisement or notice upon:
- any curbstone
- any portion of any sidewalk or street
- any tree, post, pole, hydrant, bridge
- any other public structure within the limits
of any street right of way or upon any corporate
property within the jurisdictional area of
the city.
Similarly, it is unlawful to fasten or attach in
any manner whatsoever any political or campaign
sign, poster, advertisement or notice upon:
- any private wall, window, door, gate or fence
or sign
- any building, or upon any residential property
without having first obtained the consent of
the owner or agent thereof.
Are there any other laws governing the use of political
signs?
- All political signs must be installed no
more than 2 months prior to the election.
- All political signs, etc. must be removed
within 7 days following the date of an election.
- It is the duty of the owner of the property
where such political signs are placed to remove
them 7 days after an election. City Code Sec.
55-823
What are the penalties for violating the ordinances
which govern the placement of political signs?
- The penalties, upon conviction, are a maximum
fine of $500.00 and/or 6 months in jail (Omaha
City Code, Sec 1-10)
Who should be called if someone is suspected of
violating any of the City of Omaha ordinances governing
political signs?
- Complaints should be directed to Permits
and Inspections at 444-5150 or to the Chief
Building Inspector at 444-5364.
CAMPAIGN SIGNS ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND HIGHWAY
SYSTEMS:
No campaign signs, posters, or political
advertisements shall be placed within a highway's
right of way. This includes intersections, medians,
entrance and exit ramps, sidewalks and the ditches
and lands that make up the right of way bordering
the length of each highway. The right of way can
often be visually determined by markers, fence-lines,
or the placement of utility poles.
Nebraska Revised Statute Section 39-202 expressly
prohibits the erection of signs on the highway
right of way. The penalty is a Class V misdemeanor
with a maximum fine of $100.00.
Large political signs must be placed on legally
erected billboards. The Federal Beautification
Act and Nebraska Outdoor Advertising Statutes
and Rules and Regulations prohibit the erection
of signs on the interstate or primary highway
system. The only exception is in the commercial
or industrial zoned areas along the primary highway
system. In this instance, a permit from the Department
of Roads is required. The fee for the permit
is $15.00.
Highway 38, Highway 85, Abbott Drive, The Storz
Freeway, Sorenson Parkway, 72nd Street from “L” Street
to I680, 144th Street from Highway 50 to Maple
Street, and Harrison Street from Highway 50 to
72nd Street are on the “Secondary System”.
The only restriction on the secondary system
highways is that all signs must be placed on
private property. The owners of illegally erected
campaign signs which are not on the right of
way will be notified by mail to remove such signs.
The District Permit Technician at the Nebraska
Department of Roads Office at 108th and J Streets,
is in charge of the Advertising Control Program.
If you have any questions concerning the placement
of political signs along state and federal highways,
call 595-2534, ext. 209.
CAMPAIGN SIGNS AND POLLING PLACES:
Campaign signs may be erected no closer
than 200 feet from the entrance of a polling place.
In addition, all campaign workers and candidates
must observe the 200 foot rule when handing out campaign
literature and materials near the polls on election
day. (Nebraska R.R.S. 32-1524)
STOLEN OR VANDALIZED CAMPAIGN SIGNS:
In cases where political signs are being
stolen or vandalized, depending on the jurisdiction,
the Omaha Police (444-5637) or the Douglas County
Sheriff's Office (444-7996) should be contacted to
file a formal complaint.
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