§ 57A-11. Signs, posters and stickers prohibited on public property., Chapter 57A. Signs, Land Use Legislation, Code of Ordinances, Brookhaven

Declaration of policy. The Town Board hereby finds that the use of signs, posters, stickers and advertising devices along public roadways and on public property creates unreasonable distractions to operators of motor vehicles, creates confusion with regard to traffic lights, signs and signals, impairs visibility of pedestrians and motor vehicles, creates safety hazards to the public and, in particular, pedestrians, distracts from identification of surrounding businesses and home-house numbering and detracts from the aesthetic character of buildings, sites, districts and the Town as a whole. In addition, the Town Board finds that the undue proliferation of signs, posters, stickers or advertising devices located along public rights-of-way and on public property detracts from the established character of adjoining properties and of the neighborhood in which they are located and depreciates the values of said properties and neighborhoods. It is hereby found that removal of said signs, posters, stickers or advertising devices will promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community in which they are located.

Prohibitions. With the exception of any sign erected by the Town, county, state or other governmental authority and all signs pertaining to traffic regulations, parking regulations and fire zones which are subject to the rules and regulations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, no sign, poster, sticker, flag or advertising device shall be located within or upon the right-of-way of any Town, state or county road or highway or upon any Town, county or state or other publicly owned land, or upon any utility pole, tree, fence, or any other structure or object thereupon.

Removal of signs, posters, stickers or advertising devices authorized. The Superintendent of Highways or his designee, Sanitation Inspectors, Town Investigators, Code Enforcement Officers, and the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Director and Assistant Director are hereby authorized to remove any sign, poster, sticker or advertising device placed upon any property owned by the Town of Brookhaven, including but not limited to Town highways, parks, Town rights-of-way or utility poles within the right-of-way, or other public lands. Upon receipt of written authorization from the New York State Department of Transportation and/or the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, the Superintendent of Highways or his designee, Sanitation Inspectors, Town Investigators, Code Enforcement Officers, and the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Director and Assistant Director shall be authorized to remove signs, posters, stickers or advertising devices in accordance with this section from state and county roads and highways.

Presumption. It shall be presumed that any person, business or entity identified on any sign, poster, sticker or advertising device regulated under this chapter, or the owner, agent, registrant, manager, business, entity or person in charge of any telephone number, Web site, entity, business or address identified on any sign, poster, sticker or advertising device regulated under this chapter, is responsible for the placement of that sign, poster or sticker. This presumption shall be rebuttable.