ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Officials in Ithaca have removed signs.

In response to complaints from property owners and the state DOT, banners attached to fences on North Meadow Street have been removed. The fence is on government property and signs aren’t allowed.

Ithaca’s code enforcement director says the large number of signs pose a ‘dangerous distraction’ to drivers. The city has also released the following reminders:

  • Banners are defined as temporary signs
  • No person or sponsoring organization which is commercial or otherwise profit-making shall place or cause to be placed any sign of a temporary nature without first obtaining a permit. Additionally, off-site advertising is not permitted in the City of Ithaca.
  • Signs of a temporary nature may be erected with a permit for a period not exceeding 60 days, provided that the consent of the property owner is obtained and that such signs are not attached to trees, utility poles or the like and that such signs are not placed in such a position as may obstruct or impair vision or traffic or in any manner create a nuisance, hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public. All such sign permits must identify the name and address of the sponsoring person or organization and the name of a person responsible for their removal at the expiration of the sixty-day period. Such permits may be renewed no more than once a year for an additional thirty-day period. A temporary sign will not be re-permitted for more than two consecutive time periods, regardless of whether or not it remains in the same location.
  • Temporary signs advertising an event for less than 10 days are exempt from the permit requirement, provided that the installation has approval of the property owner and the sign shall be removed immediately following the event.

Anyone with a sign that was removed may call the Building Division at 607-274-6509 to arrange a time to pick them up.