Update from the Codes Compliance Department: a case has been opened and is being investigated for this reported location. Any further updates or action will be handled by the Codes department. To track the status of this case, or to find contact information for the assigned investigator, click here:

https://actiononline.stpete.org/Click2GovCE/casesearch.html?caseYear=16&caseNumber=24065

or call 727-893-7373 and refer to the above case number.

This looks more like a political sign than graffiti & is not a new occurrence on this block & another block or two to the West on 5th Ave. There are several homes owned by Military Veterans who served our Country. They post signs publicly expressing their opinions as a civic duty, not to mention their 1st Amendment Right to do so. Whether anyone likes what they write is another matter. The Only question; Is this a legal sign & when can political signs be posted? Anyone know the answer? Posted on another block Sept. last year

The reported issue falls under the Municipal City Code of Ordinances, section 16.40.120.3.2. - Exempt signs

Political signs

1. A political sign in a residential district shall not exceed six square feet and signs in nonresidential districts shall not exceed 32 square feet. The sign shall not be illuminated. The sign placement shall have the consent of the property owner. A political sign is prohibited in the right-of-way. Regardless of who installed the sign, the property owner and tenant, if any, shall be responsible for compliance of their property and the adjacent right-of-way with these regulations. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the ability of the property owner and tenant to remove signs from their private property and the adjacent right-of-way.

2. No more than one political sign per candidate or issue shall be placed on a lot unless it is a lot having more than one street frontage, in which case additional signs per candidate or issue may be placed so long as there is no more than one sign per street frontage.

3. Political signs on private property or in the right-of-way shall not exceed eight feet in height. A political sign shall be located a minimum of six feet from the curb or the edge of the pavement where no sidewalk exists or, where a sidewalk exists, anywhere on the side of the sidewalk away from the street. Where there is no pavement, the signs shall be a minimum of six feet from the edge of the portion of the road used for vehicular traffic and, where a sidewalk exists, anywhere on the side of the sidewalk away from the street. No part of any sign shall be located on or extend over any portion of a sidewalk.

4. Any person wishing to place a sign or signs within a public right-of-way shall execute and file with the City Clerk a hold harmless agreement stating that, in consideration of the privilege of placing a sign or signs within the public right-of-way, the person agrees to defend and hold the City and its officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all claims, liability, costs and expenses, including attorney's fees, arising from the existence of or erection of the sign or signs. The agreement shall be filed prior to the erection of any such sign. Political signs found within the public right-of-way for which an executed hold harmless agreement has not been filed with the City Clerk shall be subject to removal and destruction without notice.

5. Political signs shall be removed not later than one week after the election. A political sign remaining on display more than one week after the election shall be deemed a free-speech sign, subject to the restrictions on the placement of such signs.

6. Exception for polling places on election day. On the day of an election, between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., political signs not exceeding six square feet may be placed in the right-of-way abutting any polling place between the curb or edge of pavement and sidewalk. Each candidate or issue may have two signs for each street side at each polling place.

You can read the full Ordinance by following the link below:

https://www.municode.com/library/fl/st._petersburg/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIISTPECO_CH16LADERE_S16.40.120SICO_16.40.120.3.2EXSI

Thank You! Good to know.

Work completed, close dated issue.