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19. SIGN SOP-11-07-2024.pdf11-07-2024se Standard Opera�ng Procedures for Dealing with Poli�cal Signs in the Public ROW or on City Property City Owned Property Being Used for the County’s Early and Elec�on Day Polling Loca�ons The Poli�cal Sign Standard Opera�ng Procedures for dealing with poli�cal signs in the public ROW or on city property will help candidates during the elec�on season. A map is also atached to show where candidates can place their poli�cal signs on the city owned property in the marked green areas. Neighborhood Services will also be provided with a copy of this SOP and map. The City Secretary’s office will monitor, document, remove and transfer to Neighborhood Services, to hold, any poli�cal signs (for 5 days) found to be in viola�on and as a courtesy will no�fy the candidates (if possible) and inform them of how to retrieve their poli�cal signs. Only poli�cal signs on H-frame metal stands are permited on city-owned property. Signs must be no larger than 24 x 18 inches in size and the limit is 3 signs per candidate on city property. Pop-up canopies or tents may not be used on city property during early vo�ng and elec�on day. Vehicles with candidate signage or vehicle wrap may be parked on designated city property on elec�on day. For Early Vo�ng/Elec�on Day site: Poli�cal signs may not be placed on City owned property before 5:00 pm the Friday prior to early vo�ng. All poli�cal signs must be removed by 5:00 p.m. the day a�er the elec�on. Poli�cal signs that are not removed by then will be removed and disposed of by Neighborhood Service Staff . For Elec�on Day only site: Poli�cal signs may not be placed on City owned property before 5:00 pm the Friday prior to the elec�on day. All poli�cal signs must be removed by 5:00 p.m. the day a�er the elec�on. Poli�cal signs that are not removed by then will be removed and disposed of by Neighborhood Service Staff . If there is a Runoff elec�on resul�ng from the Elec�on Day results, runoff candidates must remove their signs from city property the day a�er the original elec�on. If city property is the early vote site and/or elec�on day for the Runoff Elec�on, candidates may place their signs on city property a�er 5:00 pm the Friday prior to early vo�ng/elec�on day. All poli�cal signs must be removed by 5:00 p.m. the day a�er the elec�on. Poli�cal signs that are not removed by then will be removed and disposed of by Neighborhood Service Staff . Removal of Signs within the City Right-of-Way and City Owned Property Neighborhood Services will track these in Cityview. For Poli�cal Signs that are clearly located within the Right-of-way, Neighborhood Services Staff will immediately remove and hold the sign and inform the City Secretary’s Office will no�fy the candidate (if possible) as a courtesy that the sign was removed and that it will be held for 5 days to be retrieved and will be disposed of a�er that �me period. For Poli�cal Signs that are clearly located on property that a reasonable person would know is City owned, such as developed Parks, City Facili�es, etc., except for within the defined area of a polling 11-07-2024se loca�on on City property as noted above, Neighborhood Services Staff will immediately remove and hold the sign and inform the City Secretary’s Office who will no�fy the candidate (if possible) as a courtesy that the sign was removed and that it will be held for 5 days to be retrieved but will be disposed of a�er that �me period. For Poli�cal Signs that are clearly located on City Owned property, but which the public may not be aware is City owned property, Neighborhood Services Staff will immediately remove and hold the sign and inform the City Secretary’s Office who will no�fy the candidate (if possible) as a courtesy that the sign was removed and that it will be held for 5 days to be retrieved but will be disposed of a�er that �me period. For signs that Neighborhood Services Staff believes to be in the City Right-of-Way or on City Owned Property, but cannot defini�vely prove, Neighborhood Services Staff will no�fy the City Secretary’s Office who will ask the Candidate or adjacent property owner to provide evidence that the sign is not in the City Owned Right-of-Way or on City Owned Property. If such evidence is not provided within 24 hours, Neighborhood Services Staff will remove the sign and inform the City Secretary’s Office who will no�fy the candidate (if possible) as a courtesy that the sign was removed and that it will be held for 5 days to be retrieved but will be disposed of a�er that �me period. City Code Reference Regarding Poli�cal Signs City of Schertz UDC: Sec. 21.11.5. Exempted Signs. The following types of signs or sign work are exempt from the permit requirements of this Article provided, however, that the exemption from the permit requirements of this Article shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Article or any other laws, ordinances, codes or regulations of the City: B. Political Signs Sec. 21.11.6. Prohibited Signs. E. Over Public Property or Public Right-of-Way. It shall be prohibited to erect or display any type of sign on or over public ROW or other public property, unless the same is erected by the City, County, State or other authorized governmental agency, or with the permission of the City (in its sole discretion), for public purposes. Sec. 21.11.7. Removal of Signs. D. Signs in Right-of-Way and/or Public Property. Any sign that is erected, constructed, or otherwise located within or upon public right-of-way or on public property may be removed by City personnel and disposed of immediately. The City is not required to notify the owner of the sign of its removal and disposal.