Signs, signs, what’s the rule on signs?

The problem

Cathy Olberding wanted to put two signs, one at the end of her street and one in the middle, that said “For Sale” with an arrow pointing toward her house on East 108th Terrace in Kansas City.

When her real estate agent posted those signs, he was told he was in violation of Ordinance 88-445 and was threatened with a ticket unless he removed them.

“It’s OK for someone on my street to leave two mattresses and a couch out on the curb for well over a month, causing the neighborhood to look trashy, but my pointer signs are illegal,” she said.

Five blocks away, Olberding said, agents put similar signs on Wornall Road, and she wants to know why she couldn’t put up hers.

The answer

Sean Demory, spokesman for the Kansas City Public Works Department, said the ordinance prohibits signs in the city right of way or on public property without authorization, and Olberding’s signs were in such an area.

Some of the signs on Wornall that Olberding mentioned are also in violation, Demory said, and the city is dealing with the situation. Exceptions to the ordinance include signs posted by city or county or state government entities, authorized transit or utility companies, and anyone specifically authorized by the government to put signs in the right of way or on public property.

All the Watchdog wants is fair enforcement. He suspects that stray Yorkies get preferential treatment just because they’re so darn cute.