Clerk reminds candidates signs cannot be in public right of ways

THURSDAY, July 21 — Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope has reminded candidates  in the Aug. 2 primary that a city ordinance prohibits placing signs of any sort, including political candidates signs, in the public right of way. 

“Please check the placement of your campaign signs to make sure you are complying with the legal requirements,” Swope wrote in a letter. “Please also review these requirements with any of your campaign staff or volunteers who are placing signs on your behalf.”

The public right of way is generally defined as the space from the street to a sidewalk. It also includes public lands along highway entrances and exits. This includes medians which are generally created in streets to separate traffic. 

Swope’s letter said the ordinance identified the signs as a hazard and that city officials can remove the signs with or without prior notice to candidates. 

In the letter, Swope also noted that signs that are legally placed may remain up for indefinitely.