City of Lowell, MA Article IV Nuisance Posting

[Added 3-8-2016]

§ 171-36 Nuisance declared.

The City of Lowell hereby determines that the posting of items as described below is a nuisance.

§ 171-37 Violations enumerated.

A. It is illegal for any person to paste, post, paint, print, nail or attach or affix by any means whatsoever any handbill, poster, notice, sign, advertisement, sticker or other printed material upon any curb, gutter, flagstone, tree, lamppost, awning post, telegraph pole, telephone pole, public utility pole, public garbage bin, bus shelter, bridge, elevated train structure, highway fence, barrel, box, parking meter, mailbox, traffic control device, traffic stanchion, traffic sign (including pole), tree box, tree pit protection device, bench, traffic barrier, hydrant or other similar public item on any street.

B. It is illegal for any person to affix or attach any sticker or decal on a public or private building or structure.

C. There is a rebuttable presumption that the person whose name, telephone number, or other identifying information appears on any handbill, poster, notice, sign, advertisement, sticker, decal or other printed material on any item or structure is in violation. Every handbill, poster, notice, sign, advertisement, sticker, decal, or other printed material shall be deemed a separate violation.

§ 171-38 Violations and penalties.

Anyone found to have violated this provision shall be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense and fines of $300 for all subsequent offenses. In addition to any penalty imposed, anyone in violation of this article shall also be responsible for the cost of the removal of the unauthorized postings.