Both Pearl River County municipalities are holding elections this year for their respective governing bodies, and according to city ordinances, both have similar regulations for the placement of campaign signs.
Picayune Code Enforcement Officer Tom Milar said candidates and their supporters are permitted to place signs on private property within 30 days of the election.
Poplarville’s ordinances stipulate the same 30-day period for temporary signs on private residential property. However, some campaign signs can already be seen in Poplarville, with more than 30 days to go before the primary election on May 2, including those for mayoral candidates Alderman Byron Wells and Poplarville School District Resource Officer Rossi Creel.
The Poplarville Board of Aldermen discussed the issue briefly during Tuesday’s meeting at the prompting of Alderwoman Maggie Smith.
The discussion largely centered around temporary advertising signs placed by local businesses, but the Board took no action on the matter.
In Picayune, Milar said he hasn’t seen any campaign signs yet, and doesn’t expect to since many of the councilors are running unopposed.
Signs are prohibited on city property, including right of way easements in residential areas, Milar said. If a sign is placed on public property, it will be removed and thrown away, he said, except for sale and for rent/lease signs.
In Poplarville, city ordinances state a temporary sign may be left on residential property for seven days after the event.
Milar said he requests temporary signs be removed the day after an election, but the city will allow a one-week grace period.
More information on Poplarville’s zoning and ordinances can be found at http://www.poplarville.ms.gov/Pages/Zoning-Ordinance.aspx.
Picayune’s ordinances can be found at http://www.picayune.ms.us/government/code-of-ordinances/.