Friends Helps City Enforce Sign Code

Volunteers Attend Sign Removal Training

November 5, 2002

Maintaining a Scenic Drive without the clutter of illegal signs takes a consistent and concerted effort. And for the most part it is a thankless task. Howard Myers, Friends treasurer,  has been making that effort for several years, volunteering his time to help the City of Scottsdale enforce its sign code.  Now Howard has reinforcements. 

In October eight Friends volunteers attended a session on sign removal and roadside safety conducted by Doug Flack, a City of Scottsdale code inspector. 

  • Barbara Berkner
  • Horst Berkner
  • Les Conklin
  • Diana Hines
  • Howard Myers
  • Carol Myers
  • Tony Nelssen
  • Carl Schneider
  • Arnie Swensen

Attendees, now authorized to remove illegal sings, learned that they should focus on removal of the following types of signs:

  1. Yard sale signs, work wanted signs, get rich fast signs, damaged and tattered Signs
  2. Paper or plastic "bandit" signs, typically 4 sq. ft. or less. These are usually mounted on a wood stake, advertising new home subdivisions, products for sale, or 1-800 telephone numbers. These signs are usually placed within the right of way, to include intersections and medians, and road shoulders
  3. Political campaign signs: You may remove damaged or defaced signs, signs creating a visual hazard or traffic hazard due to improper placement. Signs within a minimum of 15' from the edge of the sidewalk or pavement.

The attendees were told not to remove the following types of signs:

  1. Subdivision directional signs erected on wood and metal posts. These signs can be identified by their construction material, usually professionally lettered wood material, up to 48 sq. ft. in size. Some are marked with a sign permit sticker issued by the City of Scottsdale. They can be located in the right of way and on private property.
  2. Real estate "for sale signs". The exception is if a 4 sq. ft. or less sign in not placed on the property being sold, leased or rented. "Open House" signs are allowed.

Attendees were told consult with code enforcement before removing signs which were believed to be illegal but were not listed above.

The class also covered roadside safety. Volunteers were given safety vests and Code Enforcement t-shirts to wear when performing their duties.