Sec. 9-9. - Property damage generally.

(a)

No person shall maliciously, wantonly, or carelessly daub with paint, cut, break, or other wise injure or by scratching or writing with paint, blacking, chalk or in any other way or manner deface any post, light post, fence, tree, tree box, house or other building situated in or on any street, highway, bridge, wharf or public place or ground set apart for public purposes in the city or any ornament or appurtenance of such post, light post, fence, tree, tree box, house or other building.

(b)

Unless otherwise provided for in chapter 19, article VII, the following signs, including political signs, shall be prohibited in the city:

(1)

Signs on any building owned, operated, or leased by a public agency.

(2)

Signs on or within the confines of any public park, recreation area, or other type of landscaped grounds owned or operated by the city or other governmental agency, or upon any flagpole or tree owned by a public agency.

(3)

Signs on any traffic-control sign or device, such as stoplights and their standards, stop signs, yield signs, one-way street signs, or any other type of sign or device that directs traffic, or on the supporting post of such sign.

(4)

Signs which in any way block the view of a traffic-control sign or device by motorists or pedestrians in such a manner as to create a hazard.

(5)

Signs which in any way pose a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, cyclists using the public rights-of-way such as not being high enough to allow pedestrians or cyclists to pass by unobstructed, or protruding into a street or sidewalk in such a manner as to interfere with the safe passage of the public.

(6)

It is also unlawful for any person to obstruct the use of the property of another or obstruct another in the prosecution of his lawful business or pursuits in any matter.

(7)

Signs on any telephone or electrical pole.

(8)

Any person found guilty of any violation of this section shall be penalized in accordance with section 1-16.

(c)

Pursuant to section 19-447, the requirements of this article shall be enforced by the zoning officer and/or the chief of police or his designee. The notice shall be provided by telephone or, at their discretion, written notice to the person and/or persons responsible. The chief of police shall provide notice of violation to any person who posts a sign that constitutes a traffic hazard.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 9-10; Ch. 360, §§ I, II, 10-4-05)

State Law reference— Malicious destruction of property, G.L. 1956, § 11-44-1; injuries to public property, G.L. 1956, § 11-44-12; injury to public statues and monuments, G.L. 1956, § 11-44-13.