For Immediate Monday, November 7, 2005
Contact:  Suzanne Parsons Stymiest @ 985-898-5243

Parish Calls For Removal of Illegal Signs

            St. Tammany Government is reminding all businesses using temporary signs and banners to advertise goods and services to make sure that these signs are properly permitted, that the permits have not expired, and if expired, to remove these signs.

            Following Hurricane Katrina, Parish government suspended enforcement of the ban on small, temporary roadside signs until November 15, 2005.  This allowed local businesses to re-establish contact with their customers during this time of disrupted communications. 

            Now that other methods of advertising such as the newspaper, radio, and television are returning to normal, the need for these signs is reduced. Beginning Tuesday, November 15^th, the ban will be strictly enforced.  All businesses are asked to have any temporary signs removed by that date.

          The St. Tammany Parish Zoning Regulations permit some temporary signs and banners to promote special events at businesses. However, the size, location and time span these signs are permitted to be displayed are limited.

            “These regulations are designed to promote special business activities, such as sales and grand openings” said Parish President Kevin Davis, “but also to limit the visual clutter that excessive and outdated signs create.”

           Enforcement officials, including Parish Staff, Justices of the Peace, and Constables will begin a concerted campaign of enforcement action to assure compliance with parish regulations on Noivember 15, 2005.

            If a temporary banner does not comply with the regulations, a citation will be issued.  The citation requires a hearing before the newly created St. Tammany Parish Administrative Hearing Officer. The Administrative Hearing Officer is empowered to conduct hearings and issue enforceable judgments involving licensing, permits, code violations and other St. Tammany Parish ordinance violations.

            Small roadside signs located in the public rights-of-way are considered litter and can be seized and litter charges filed against the business in Litter Court.

            For more information about St. Tammany Parish signage regulations, or possible enforcement actions, please contact the Planning Office at (985) 898-2528 or review Section 5.03 of the St. Tammany Parish Zoning Ordinance Number 523 at http://www.stpgov.org/planning/luord523/sec5_01-15.pdf.

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