"Snipe Signs"

New Rules

In late 2024, the Bartow City Commission amended the City’s Code of Ordinances to make it unlawful for a person or business to place snipe signs on the public rights-of-way and put in place penalties for violations of this rule. Enforcement began on January 1, 2025, with warnings issued to violators through the end of that month. Infractions now incur fines which escalate with each offense.

Bartow is the first municipality in the region to step up the enforcement and penalties for snipe signs, which are essentially litter in the rights-of-way. These signs cause traffic hazards, unsightly clutter on City-owned infrastructure, and are an overall nuisance, which detract from the aesthetic beauty of our City. In 2024, the Code Compliance office disposed of nearly 2300 such signs, many of which were advertising scam services.

What is a Snipe Sign

Snipe Signs are defined as any sign attached to a tree or fence within the public right-of-way or located on City-owned property, as well as on utility poles or boxes, housing structures, public benches, bus shelters, or any other object located on public property, unless specifically allowed by permission and consent of the City.

Prior to this amendment, snipe signs were classified as “temporary signs” under the City’s Unified Land Development Code. Code enforcement officers were required to witness the violator in the act of placing the sign to take enforcement action. The updated Litter ordinance allows offenders to be cited based on identities as can be verified based on the content of the signs.

Penalties

The penalty for violating the Litter Control Update Ordinance of 2024 is a Class III civil infraction, which carries a fine of $250 for a first offense, $350 for a second offense, and a mandatory hearing before the City’s Special Magistrate for three or more offenses. The City’s Special Magistrate may fine the violator up to $500 for each offense.