(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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17 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.
Maybe we can use all the signs to fill the potholes 🤔
Who cares. Let it go. Not that big of a deal. If it’s the city property. Let the city cut the grass then.
I want free advertising too. Let’s all put our signs out. In fact Henry, since the city owns your parkway, I’ll put my signs there. Who cares
How about all the derelicts panhandling on Hwy 50 and 118th Ave? Leaving all their garbage on the ground while white liberal women fork over cash to feel better about themselves.
Hard to tell derelicts from white liberals…
Wait, there’s a difference?
(three drum beats and a cymbal crash!)
How about all the signs held up by the woodman’s bums? Ever since someone was featured in a piece that intersection has become a mini Portland.
Best ones are at Kenosha city lines with population number…sort of reminding you are now entering a lawless liberal run shit-hole.
Signs Signs everywhere there’s Signs
Signs Signs everywhere there’s Signs
It is about time the city goes after these illegal signs.
Since Kenosha apparently has NO other problems that warrant city attention.
Fuck you kenosha
Lots of political signs going up. Looks like several of Zoerner’s signs are on the street side of telephone poles which is typical owned by the city or village. Maybe this is his first time running and he doesn’t know the rules. I think he’s getting desperate knowing that the vast majority of the Sheriff’s Dept deputies and supervisors are NOT supporting him.