The City of Hot Springs reminds all political candidates that placement and removal of political signs are regulated by Hot Springs Code §16-6-1. To avoid removal of these signs, the following guidelines must be followed. Those with questions can contact the City Clerk’s office, 321-6805.
16-6-1. Political signs.
(a) Definition. As used herein, the term "political sign" means and refers to any sign which supports any political candidate or issue.
(b) Prohibited. Political signs may not be placed on public property, including without limitation, public rights-of-way, streets, alleys and sidewalks, government buildings and property, and public utility poles and other facilities. Provided, however, if any government building is utilized as an official polling place by the Garland County Election Commission, electioneering, including the display of political signs, may be permitted on such government property, on the day of the election only, provided such electioneering is conducted in accordance with A.C.A. § 7-1-103(a)(9).
(c) Conditions for placement. Political signs may be placed upon private property within any zoning classification, subject to the following conditions:
(1) No political sign may be placed upon private property without permission of the owner; and
(2) Political signs must be removed within ten (10) calendar days after the election to which they pertain.
(d) Authority of city. If a political sign is placed improperly or is not removed as required herein, the city is authorized to enter upon private property and to remove the sign.
(e) Responsibility. The candidate for whom a political sign is placed and the person who places a political sign are responsible for the placement and removal thereof according to the provisions of this section and, upon failure to do so, shall be subject to the penalties provided herein.
(f) Copies of section. Copies of this section shall be provided by the City of Hot Springs to all candidates for municipal offices, and copies hereof shall be provided to the Secretary of State and to the Garland County Clerk for distribution to candidates filing in those offices.
(g) Penalty. The penalty for violation of this ordinance shall, upon conviction in the Hot Springs Municipal Court, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, be such fines and penalties as established by the general penalty clause for the Hot Springs Code of Ordinances as may now or hereafter be enacted by the Hot Springs Board of Directors.