Fines in South Fulton for signs left on poles, right-of-ways

A man now faces a fine of up to $10,000 for allegedly putting out 10 signs on public property in the City of South Fulton.

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Many of us have seen signs on poles or public rights-of-ways sitting there for what seems like forever. The City of South Fulton is taking action creating a new ordinance making the signs illegal in those spaces. City officials want people to know about the law that went into effect in December and the steep fines coming along with it.

Many people who live in South Fulton woke up to a corridor of signs instead of just presents on Christmas Day.

“We woke up to a lot of litter with these signs,” City of South Fulton Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis said. “Residents complained on social media. I started getting phone calls.”

Willis said a man the city believes is responsible was asked to take them down but instead allegedly put more up.

“There were three or four signs up, and after being told to remove them, he put out 6 or 7 more,” Willis said.

That means the man could face a fine of up to $10,000. Willis said this is the first big fine after the ordinance going into effect.

The @COSFGA wants people to be aware it’s now illegal to put up signs on poles and right of ways. Those who don’t remove signs within 24 hours can receive a fine of up to $1,000. A man who allegedly put up 10 of the signs below now faces up to $10,000 in fines.@11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/1uULM993NY

— Dawn White (@DawnWhiteNews) January 3, 2023

The signs are illegal under a City of South Fulton ordinance taking effect on Dec 7.

“It prohibits littering our right of ways and our signage poles with advertisement signs or campaign signs,” Willis said.

Numerous people were putting up signs, which ended up in the sewer system, and taking them down was costing taxpayer dollars, according to Willis, and that prompted the ordinance.

“Advertisement companies don’t come and pick up signs,” Willis said. “It was causing a lot of manpower for our code enforcement team to remove signs.”

People who don’t remove signs within 24 hours can be fined up to $1,000 for each sign.

“We want a clean and pristine city. We will not tolerate litter, and if you’re caught, you’re going to be fined,” Willis said.

. @COSFGA Councilwoman @Helenzenobia says many of the signs ended up in the sewage system. It also cost taxpayer dollars to take them down.
“Advertisement companies don’t come and pick up signs. It was causing a lot of manpower for our code enforcement team,” Willis said.

— Dawn White (@DawnWhiteNews) January 3, 2023

11Alive spoke to the man on the phone who allegedly put up the signs. He didn’t want to go on camera, but said he didn’t do it.

South Fulton isn’t the only city with an ordinance like this. Atlanta and Sandy Springs have the same rule for public property.