Political Signs in Brattleboro
When it comes to displaying political signs in Vermont, understanding the regulations is crucial to avoid fines and ensure compliance. Whether you're a business owner, a political candidate, or an activist, knowing the dos and don'ts can save you from legal trouble.
Location
• Obtain permission of the property owner before you place any sign.
• It is a violation of Vermont law to put a sign on utility poles and offenders can be fined (13 V.S.A. § 301).
• Placing signs on public trees, benches and lights is prohibited (Brattleboro Land Use and Development Regulations 319.c)
• Political signs may NOT be placed on property owned by the Town or public schools.
State Statute
According to Vermont's sign statutes (10 VSA §495):
• Signs may not be located within state highway rights-of-way or attached to trees or to state or town signs, posts, or guardrails. Most highway rights-of-way in Vermont are at least three rods, or 49.5 feet. This means that signs must be placed at least 24.75 feet away from the centerline of most highways.
• Signs may not interfere with, imitate, or resemble any traffic control sign, signal or device or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic.
• Signs may not prevent drivers from having a clear and unobstructed view of traffic signs and approaching or merging traffic.
• Signs may not be positioned so that they are readable primarily from a limited access facility (which includes interstate ramps).
• Signs must be in good repair and securely affixed to a substantial structure.
• Temporary political campaign signs may be displayed for a period of not more than two weeks (10 V.S.A.§494 (9)).
• Political signs should be removed 24 hours after an election.
Enforcement
The Travel Information Council is authorized to order the removal of any illegal off-premises, on-premises, or exempt sign if the sign is within the public highway right-of-way. The Agency of Transportation or municipality may remove a temporary sign that is not affixed to a substantial structure, without prior notice (10 V.S.A. §497).
Political Sign Safety
Signs shall be designed and located in such a manner as:
• Not to impair public safety.
• Not to restrict visibility or access between sidewalks and streets.
• To withstand a wind pressure of at least thirty (30) pounds per square foot.
(Brattleboro Land Use and Development Regulations § 319), (10 V.S.A. § 497).
Allowable Size
• Signs six (6) square feet (3'x2') or less do not require a permit.
• Signs more than six (6) square feet require a permit from the Planning Services Department.
• Signs requiring a permit have a fee of $45 for each sign. When obtaining the permit application inquire about additional restrictions for permitted signs.
(Brattleboro Land Use and Development Regulations § 319).
Removal
Political signs found in violation of any state or local regulation can be removed without notice. Signs removed by Municipal officials can be retrieved from storage by sending an email to [email protected].
Unclaimed political signs will be destroyed 2 weeks after the election. The Town of Brattleboro is not responsible for signs removed by State officials.
Political Campaign signs at the Polling Place on Election Day
The Presiding officer can prohibit all signs from being placed in the ground or affixed to anything on the property of the polling place. In Brattleboro, political signs are prohibited from being placed in the ground or affixed to anything on the property of the polling place.
However, the presiding officer cannot prohibit a person from standing and holding a sign outside the polling place so long as the person remains in the designated campaign area and does not hinder or impede the progress of any voter going into or out of the polling place.
For Election Day, the Presiding Officer can adopt a policy to allow signs to be placed in certain areas so long as the policy is applied evenly to all candidates or political issues regardless of the political content. The Presiding officer can limit the size or number of signs per candidate. Signs must be removed from the designated campaign area on election night (17 V.S.A.§2508).
Hand-held Signs
Candidates or activists may stand on public property owned by the Town and hold signs providing they are not obstructing pedestrians or vehicular traffic. This includes but is not limited to the traffic island in front of the Municipal Center, Wells fountain area and traffic islands surrounding Interstate 91 ramps.
Although not directly related to signs, candidates or political activists can stand outside of polling places on the day of election and hand out brochures or cards to voters so long as they remain inside the designated campaign area and do not hinder or impede the progress of voters going into and out of the polling place (24 V.S.A.§2508).
There is no specific number of feet away from the polling place limitation in Vermont law.
It is up to the Presiding Officer at each polling place to set reasonable rules so voters can enter the polling place without interference.
For complete sign regulations
For local laws —
Planning Services Department
230 Main Street, Suite 202
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone: 802-251-8154
Email: [email protected]
For complete State laws —
Vermont Secretary of State's Office Elections Division
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1101
Phone: 802-828-2363
For information regarding towns other than Brattleboro, check the Secretary of State's website for a listing of all town clerks in Vermont to find out if a town has adopted zoning bylaws. The zoning administrator of the town can explain their local rules for temporary signs.