New York Statewide Rule
New York: Posting Political Signs on Property You Don't Own
Key Facts
- Governing statute
- Penal Law Section 145.30
- Offense level
- Violation
- Maximum jail
- 15 days (Sec. 70.15)
- Maximum fine
- $250 (Sec. 80.05)
- Your own property
- Signs there are lawful
Summary
In New York, affixing a political sign, poster, or notice to property you neither own nor have permission to use, a utility pole, highway structure, or another person's land, is unlawfully posting advertisements under Penal Law Section 145.30, a violation.
1. A person is guilty of unlawfully posting advertisements when, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he posts, paints or otherwise affixes to the property of another person any advertisement, poster, notice or other matter designed to benefit a person other than the owner of the property.
Full Breakdown
Penal Law Section 145.30 makes it a violation to post, paint, or otherwise affix any advertisement, poster, notice, or other matter to another person's property when you have no right or reasonable ground to believe you do, and the material benefits someone other than the owner. Campaign signs stapled to telephone poles, taped to public buildings, or staked within the state highway right-of-way fall squarely within it. Signs on your own lawn or window are lawful, and consent from the property owner defeats the charge. Local police enforce it, and where the matter is a commercial advertisement the statute presumes the vendor placed it.
Violations & Penalties
As a violation, a conviction carries up to 15 days in jail under Penal Law Section 70.15 and a fine up to $250 under Penal Law Section 80.05. Offending signs are also subject to removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a political sign in my own yard in New York?
Are campaign signs on utility poles legal?
Who enforces this in New York?
Sources
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