According to Independent Mail, the Anderson, South Carolina County Development Standards and Environmental Department recently removed around 500 signs from Anderson County. None removed were political signs.
“We don’t mess with the political signs, and the individuals who are putting those out should pick them back up,” Matthew Stipe, senior code enforcement officer, told Independent Mail.
“We document the signs by taking pictures and putting notes into our database to keep track of how many signs were collected,” Stipe told Independent Mail. “Once we have the pictures, we access them and dispose of the signs. Basically, anything in the right of way that is not permitted is considered illegal.”
The 500 signs recently removed were taken down following the county sign ordinance, which aims to fulfill sign users’ needs for proper identification, communication, and advertising. The signs collected included advertisements, posters, and other unauthorized signage placed illegally in the right-of-way. These signs can clutter the landscape, distract drivers, and violate local regulations to ensure road safety and maintain aesthetic appeal.
“Our purpose is simply to pick them up, collect them, and then get in touch with the business owners to let them know that the signs are not allowed to be out without a permit,” Stipe said.
“Even if signs are permitted, they’re still not allowed in the right of way, and any signs attached to poles are not permitted,” Stipe told the publication. “We consistently remove smaller signs, like those for junk removal, or, ‘We buy houses’ offers, as they contribute to clutter.”
