As primary elections approach, the City of Noblesville reminds residents that all temporary and opinion (campaign) signs are prohibited from city right-of-way through the Noblesville Unified Development Ordinance.
To enforce the code, any illegal signs will be collected and there will be a 10 business day window for candidates to reclaim them before they are destroyed.
Noblesville does not restrict the number of opinion signs placed on private property. Areas that should remain sign-free include rights-of-way, medians and vision corner clearance (signs close to the roadway that create a sight obstruction). City owned property and right-of-way restrictions are as follows:
- Signs are not allowed on city-owned property, nor within the city’s right-of-way or on utility poles.
- Generally, a sign is not in the right-of-way if it is behind the line of utility poles and/or one foot behind a sidewalk, whichever is farther. These areas are typically private property and permission should be obtained from the property owner before placing the signs.
- Landscaped medians at the entrance of subdivisions may be part of the right-of-way, or within a vehicle vision clearance area, and typically should not be used to display signs.
- Subdivision entrances are typically private property common areas and permission should be obtained from the homeowners association before placing signs.
INDOT also is conducting sign sweeps in state rights-of-way. INDOT personnel are required by Indiana Code 9-21-4-6 to remove all unauthorized signs within the state right-of-way. Noblesville has permission to assist the state in removing unauthorized signs on state routes, which include State Roads 19, 32, 37 and 38.
Noblesville Planning Department representatives did a sweep of half the city on March 24 and collected 219 illegally placed signs – including 20 opinion signs – that were in the right-of-way. The other half of the city will be reviewed this coming weekend.
Removed signs will be taken to Noblesville Planning Department in City Hall, 16 S. 10th St., Suite 150. Signs may be claimed by the owner during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. At this time, there is no cost to reclaim signs.
For questions about sign placement or to report illegal signs, contact Justin Hubbard at 317-776-6325 or email jhubbard@noblesville.in.us.