WHERE TO PUT YOUR SIGNS

If you're driving down any major road around Southeast Missouri, chances are you will come across a yard sign or campaign poster advertising a candidate's bid for countywide or state office.

Primary elections will be held Aug. 8 and the campaign season is already under way.

But just exactly where are signs allowed?

In Cape Girardeau, Mo., there is no city ordinance limiting the number of campaign signs that can be posted. But there are regulations prohibiting signs on city right-of-way.

Any sign that obstructs traffic or a motorist's line of sight can be removed by city officials, said Gayle Conrad, Cape Girardeau city clerk.

Jackson's ordinance governing signs is similar to Cape Girardeau's. Signs cannot be placed on or above city right of way or easements and cannot obstruct line of sight for motorists or view of traffic signs, says Rodney Bollinger, the city's planning and zoning official.

Signs must be removed within 10 days after the election.

In Scott City, free-standing signs can be placed on city right-of-way, but nothing can be wired, fixed or attached to a post, pole, building, tree or shrub that is on public property.

Signs placed on private property cannot protrude on sidewalks or streets or restrict their use, said Erika Glock, city administrator.

Sikeston tries to limit signs that block traffic or create sight-distance problems, said Steve Lee of the planning and zoning division. Larger signs should be anchored to prevent them from falling over.

The temporary signs usually stay up 30 days; there is no limit on how long a sign can be posted. "We're a little more lenient during campaign time," Lee said.

In unincorporated areas of Scott and Cape Girardeau County, there is no limitation on where signs can be placed, as long as permission is granted from property owners.