Hamilton County’s cities expected to pass similar plans
The County Commissioners have approved an amended sign ordinance that should help eliminate confusion between similar ordinances in Hamilton County’s cities and towns.
In a unanimous vote, the commissioners passed Amended Ordinance No. 11-25-19-A at the Dec. 19 meeting. The amended proposal prohibits the placement of all non-public safety signs within public rights-of-way in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County, along roads and bridges maintained by Hamilton County, and on land owned by the county.
Dillinger
“When it comes right down to it, this is really a matter of safety,” says Steve Dillinger, President of the Commissioners. “Poorly placed signs increase visual clutter, distract drivers, and make it difficult to obey street and traffic signs.”
Hamilton County streets are defined in the new ordinance as all public streets within the unincorporated area of Hamilton County, 146th Street east from the Boone County line to Marilyn Road, Campus Parkway east from Marilyn Road to the Interstate 69 bridge, Olio Road from 96th Street north to, and including, the roundabout at Campus Parkway, and any bridge of over 20 feet in length located within Hamilton County other than bridges over I-69, U.S. 31, State Road 37 and Keystone Parkway.
“It can be difficult to know where the city limits begin and the county limits end,” Dillinger said. “That’s why we’ve been working with the cities to create an ordinance that will work for all of us. Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville plan to adopt similar amendments at upcoming council meetings. Carmel’s current ordinance is nearly identical to this one.”
Traffic, utility and construction signs approved by the Board of Commissioners or the Hamilton County Highway Department are not prohibited by the new ordinance, as are signs placed on private property with the consent of the property owner. Signs found to be in violation of the ordinance will be collected and taken to the Hamilton County Highway Department. They can be retrieved for $3 for each sign of six square feet or less and $15 for each sign larger than six square feet. Fees help cover the cost of trucks and crews used to collect the signs. If the signs are not collected before June 30 or Dec. 31 of each year, the signs may be destroyed.
The sign ordinance will be enforced starting Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Copies of the ordinance are available in the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office. A copy will also be posted at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.