Parish cracking down on illegally placed signs

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During election season, campaign signs spring up like a swarm of locusts across the town. But just when and where can they be placed?


Both Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes have ordinances dictating where these signs can go. Public property is off limits in both parishes.

Pat Gordon, director of the Planning and Zoning Department in Terrebonne Parish, said political signs are not allowed on any public right-of-way.

“Any state, federal or local roadway [is not allowed.] You would not be able to place those signs along streets, or in parish parks or in the courthouse square, things of that nature,” he said. Section 26-11 in Lafourche Parish’s Code of Ordinances deals directly with political signs. Along with public right-of-ways, it also excludes public utility poles and stanchions from hosting signs of any nature.


Candidates can put up as many signs as they please during campaign season, but otherwise will be treated as littering, according to Gordon.

“They’re perceived to be litter, just like any other sign, unless it’s during a certain period where you can put up political signs,” he said.

But when is this certain period to put the signs up?


Terrebonne has clear rules in effect, while Lafourche’s regulations are a bit murky.

Candidates in Terrebonne have 90 days from qualifying until the primary election to put up signs. Once the race featuring a candidate ends, the candidate has 10 days to remove them. Those in a run-off can keep their signs up until 10 days after the run-off has ended.

However, while signs on the ground have a set timeframe, there is a loophole promising extended exposure for enterprising candidates.


According to Gordon, billboards are not beholden to the same rules as signs.

“[The candidates] can have them on billboards forever, because that’s a little different. But it’s just giving somewhat of a waiver to political signs during the campaign event,” Gordon said.

Lafourche Parish does not have its own ordinance regarding a timeframe for when the signs can go up, or when they must be taken down. For those who do violate Section 26-11, they could receive a fine of up to $500 and a jail sentence of at most 30 days.


According to Gordon, campaigners who keep their signs up beyond the ten days can be subject to a littering fine. However, he tends to give them a grace period before getting the law involved.

“What I’ve done in the past is get on the phone and call them and let them know that we do have this regulation in place and they need to remove their signs. Normally that’s what takes place. If not, we would turn it over to the parish attorney,” he said.

However, the head of zoning and planning has never run into a situation where he has had to contact the parish attorney.


“I don’t ever remember fining anyone. They’re usually ready to take them down,” Gordon said.

According to Gordon, there is a financial incentive aside from the fines that pushes campaigns to pick up their signs quickly.

“There’s a big market for re-used signs, and if you store them properly, they can be reworked for another election at a later time, so there’s some value in those signs,” Gordon said.


So, Terrebonne residents: if lingering political signs are bothering you after the election, now you know when they have to go.

Political signs