Corbin cracking down on illegal signs in city limits

Corbin officials collected dozens of signs last week as part of an enforcement effort against illegal signs in the city.

Corbin Firefighters spent more than four hours last Tuesday and Wednesday picking up signs.

At the request of Interim City Manager Marlon Sams, firefighters scoured Corbin of yard sale signs and others that were out of date or not in compliance with the city’s ordinance.

About 60 signs were brought back to the fire department where plans were being made to contact the owners to see if they wanted the signs back and remind them of the city’s ordinance.

"It is something I’m going to stress," Sams said of ensuring such signs are posted within the guidelines of the ordinances. "We want to promote the city for tourism and economic development and one of the things that helps that is to keep it clean."

Among the signs collected were those advertising various local businesses, campaign signs and numerous yard sale signs.

While citizens do not have to obtain a permit to erect such signs, there are limitations on when and where they may be placed.

Business and yard sale advertising is relegated to the premises unless it is on a billboard. Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke noted that the city has grandfathered in existing billboards but is not issuing permits to erect new ones.
Individuals in violation of the ordinance may be cited and fined. Burke said the fine may range from $10 to $500.

Election and event signs must be removed within three days of the election or event. Election signs may be placed on public right-of-ways provided they are no bigger than 16 square feet.

In addition to littering, city officials said the yard sales signs are regularly affixed to utility poles, which may become a safety hazard for utility workers.

Most of the time, the workers will use a bucket truck to reach the utility lines," said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney. "There are times when they have to use pole climbing gear to get up there. If there is a nail or staple in the pole, they could hit that and slip and fall."

Sams said city workers will make regular sweeps to clear the signs. If there is a phone number on the sign, someone will call to determine if the owner wants the sign back.

Sams added that while the city is trying to work with citizens to reduce and hopefully eliminate the problem, citations will be issued in an effort to control the problem.

"It makes it look more presentable driving in to Corbin," Sams said. "It is hard to sell your city if your city doesn’t look presentable."