Jacksonville Business Owners Take Note: "Bandit" Advertisements are Illegal
For many Jacksonville, Florida business owners, hanging small signs at intersections and on busy roadways is a cheap and easy form of advertising. But according to Jacksonville officials, the signs, called "bandit signs" are not just an eyesore, they are illegal.
Even though the signs are forbidden by Jacksonville ordinance, no individual has been dedicated to removing them or going after the people who post them. City officials say there are too many signs and too few resources to go after every offender. The signs are only taken down if someone makes a complaint or in the course of other police duties. In that event, Bandit sign offenders are currently given a warning the first time there is a complaint, and the public works department then removes the signs. If there is another complaint against the same buinsess owner, they are fined $225 for each offending sign.
It wasn't always this way. In fiscal year 2008-2009, sign enforcement was more aggressive and was handled by the Jacksonville building department. That year, the department collected nearly $3500 in fines for illegal signs.
City Councilman John Crescimbeni loathes the signs, but believes they are not a priority for the city at this time. Mayor John Peyton agrees, saying that the costs of enforcing the law would be greater than the fines collected, and could result in a flood of court cases initiated by business owners who are cited.
Read more about Jacksonville's bandit signs at Bandit signs clutter Jacksonville area illegally.
If you live in North Florida and have a business legal matter, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida attorneys.
