Here are 10 things that you need to know about signs in River Bend:
1. Certain signs (for example- campaign signs and real estate signs) are allowed without a permit, but even for these types of signs, there are guidelines that must be followed.
2. For the most part, signs can only be placed on private property by the property owner. Signs cannot be placed within the public right-of-way* (R/W) or on town-owned property or on town buildings. There is one exception which allows a resident to place a sign within the town’s R/W, but only on property within the R/W which is adjacent to their property. For example, if you live at 315 Main Street, you can only place a sign in the R/W that is adjacent to your property at 315 Main Street. However, all signs must be placed at least 15 feet away from the edge of the street pavement. This area is commonly referred to as the “shoulder” of the road. You cannot place signs in the “shoulder” anywhere else in town without the consent of the adjacent private property owner. If your signs are closer to the pavement than 15 feet, you are in violation.
3. Signs can never be attached to utility poles, traffic control devices, street signs, guardrails, bridges or any other safety barrier within the public right-of-way.
4. During campaign season, which is defined as beginning 45 days prior to the start of early voting and ending 10 days after Election Day, the number of signs allowed to be placed on your property is not regulated. During any other time of the year, only 2 signs may be displayed on your property.
5. This year, early voting begins on October 15, 2026 and Election Day is November 3, 2026. Therefore, for the November 3, 2026 election, more than 2 signs may be displayed on your property between August 31, 2026 and November 13, 2026 only.
6. Signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and shall not be placed more than forty-two (42) inches above the ground.
7. For the purpose of determining the total number of signs on a property, sign content is not a consideration. Except during the timeframe described above in # 4, the maximum number of signs on a single property is 2, regardless of the sign’s content. For example: 1 Save the Whales sign + 1 Smith for Governor sign = 2 total signs. If you add 1 more sign to that example, regardless of its content, the total number of signs is 3 and is therefore a violation.
8. Signs cannot be placed on private property without the consent of the property owner.
9. This list is not an all-inclusive list of our regulations. Read our sign ordinance here.
10. Violations of this Ordinance could subject the offender to a per day penalty of up to $500. Also, any signs placed on any town property are subject to be immediately removed and discarded by town staff.
*By definition the street R/W line is where private property and the edge of the street R/W (not pavement) join. As a general rule, the public right of way includes the land between the edge of the street pavement and the backslope of the drainage swale and runs parallel to the street, aka “shoulder”. Very frequently it is the line where utility poles, fire hydrants, phone pedestals and water meters are installed. For the purpose of compliance with this section of the sign ordinance, you do not need to know exactly where the R/W line is. You simply need to be sure your sign is located at least 15 feet away from the edge of the street pavement.