(All Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is once again warning residents and business owners that it is illegal to place advertising signs, banners, decorations, and other displays in public right-of-ways without permission from the city, according to a new press release issued Wednesday by the Department of Public Works.
The city reminded the public that the grassy area between sidewalks and roads is considered public right-of-way and that signs placed there without permits are prohibited under General Ordinance 5.045. The city said the rule applies to feather signs, business advertisements, political signs, garage sale signs, grand opening signs, and other displays.
Under the enforcement policy outlined by the city, illegally placed signs will first be removed and held by city staff, with a warning letter sent to the owner. Repeat violations could result in municipal citations and additional penalties.
The renewed push comes more than two years after former Alderman David Mau publicly pushed for tougher enforcement against what he described as widespread abuse of city property for private advertising. Mau previously brought the issue before the Public Works Committee after residents complained about signs cluttering intersections, medians, and roadsides throughout Kenosha.
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At the center of those earlier discussions were two businesses frequently accused of repeatedly violating the ordinance: Wash Me Windows owner Scott Mertzfeld and Maid Absolutely Clean owner Samantha Kofroth.
Kenosha County Eye previously reported that the two business owners had placed hundreds of signs throughout the city over several years without permits, despite complaints from residents and requests from city officials to stop. According to prior city discussions, public works crews repeatedly removed the signs, only for new ones to quickly appear again.
The issue has become so common that Maid Absolutely Clean stickers and advertisements have even been spotted attached to utility poles and structures in private drive-thrus, including near the Taco Bell drive-thru on Green Bay Road, according to observations made by Kenosha County Eye.
Residents have long complained that the signs create visual clutter and make parts of the city appear unkempt. City officials also argue that businesses using public property as free advertising space gain an unfair advantage over companies that follow the rules and pay for legal advertising.
The city’s latest press release signals that officials are again attempting to crack down on the problem after years of sporadic enforcement. Public Works officials stressed Wednesday that signs placed in public right-of-ways without written permission are subject to removal and possible citations.
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3 Responses
What about the sign on the wood pole on 40 st and little bit after 39 ave it’s been here since Oct told the city about it
What about the Kenosha News monument sign in Hy 31. It’s about 1′ from the curb and made of bricks.
City always needs revenue; how about $1000.00 first offense. One decimal place to the right with reoccurring offenses.