Ozark, Mo -- The City of Ozark would like to remind its residents about the rules and regulations surrounding signs. This time of the year, you might notice signs in the grass or hanging on power poles advertising a business or event. While we understand it's essential to notify the public about these opportunities, there are some rules to follow to ensure the safety of work crews and our City's aesthetic.
Code enforcement staff kindly requests residents to refrain from using utility poles and right-of-way areas to place their business or personal signage, as these signs, flyers, and posters can cause a hazard for utility and landscape crews.
Hanging signs and flyers on power poles creates dangerous hazards to linemen due to the staples, nails, and tacks used to hang them. Staples, nails, and tacks damage protective equipment that crews wear when working on high-voltage electrical equipment and interfere with system maintenance.
Maintenance workers need access to the grassy area of the right-of-way. Signs can obstruct their view and get caught in the equipment, making it difficult to do their job safely.
In the last few weeks, the City received several complaints about signs placed where they shouldn't be. City code enforcement officers will remove signs placed in areas that are not allowed. City ordinance prohibits hanging signs on utility poles or putting them in the right-of-way.
Temporary signs do not require a permit. However, the ordinance specifies that temporary signs can be installed up to sixty days before the event and must be removed within fifteen days after the event's last day, as long as they're not placed in areas prohibited by city ordinance. Any violation of this ordinance can result in a citation and further corrections.
Please help us keep our workers safe and our City compliant with the ordinance by refraining from putting up posters in these areas. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Let's work together to keep our community beautiful and safe.
If you have questions about a sign you want to display, contact Planning and Development at 417-581-2407. If your sign was removed, please call to arrange for pickup.
If you would like to report a concern, please click here.
The ordinance reads, in part:
Section 407.040
"Traffic Visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by its position, shape, or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device."
"Placement Of Signs. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, public light standard, trees, rocks, natural features, fences, fence posts, fence railing, benches, flower boxes, perimeter or privacy walls, accessory structures, trash enclosures and any other public facility located within the public right-of-way."