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NEWS RELEASE

October 22, 2007

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Howard County Launches Illegal Sign Cleanup and Sign Code Education Campaign

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman today announced the start of an intensive effort on the part of government officials to remove illegal signs and a public education campaign to prevent further abuse of the County’s sign code. According to Ulman, the three-day intensive cleanup begins tomorrow, Tuesday, October 23 and will run through Thursday, October 25.

“During my first public forum, several citizens came forward to complain about the growing number of signs that are placed illegally in the County public road right-of-ways, on utility poles or even on trees,” said Ulman. “I listened to their concerns and agree: these signs cause a safety hazard when placed in sight lines on County roads, and that is why I instructed the Department of Inspections Licenses & Permits (DILP) to come up with this educational campaign.”

Howard County’s Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits will oversee the enforcement operation with support from the Department of Public Works. The public will also be able to report suspected illegal signs electronically by logging onto the County’s website and filling out a complaint form.

“During this 3-day ‘blitz,’ we will have more than 30 inspectors removing illegal signs and another 100 Public Works’ employees supporting our efforts. This is an issue we need to act on if we want to protect the safety and character of our community,” said DILP Director Bob Frances.

According to Frances, “The public should consider this initial 3-day cleanup a ‘grace period’: violation letters will be going out, but no fines will be issued to sign owners. However, once the ‘grace period’ ends, written civil citations will be issued. Those who receive violations will have 10 days to remove any other illegally placed signs or risk a civil citation and fine.”

To report suspected sign violations, log on to the County’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov. At the bottom of the home page under “What’s New,” a link will take those wishing to file a complaint directly to a reporting form.

For further information on the County’s sign code, the sign permit application process, sign sizes, fees and for other answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Inspections, Licenses & Permits page on the County’s website or call DILP at 410-313-1830.