political sign guidelines 0
DESCRIPTION
Salem's guidelines for placing political campaign signsTRANSCRIPT
Town of Salem, New Hampshire Community Development Department
33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, New Hampshire 03079 (603) 890-2007
Dear Political Candidate:
The following summary has been prepared to assist you in complying with the state and local laws
regulating the placement of political advertising (signs) in the Town of Salem. Please refer to these
guidelines to ensure the proper placement of your political advertising.
As defined by RSA 664:2, VI, political advertising means any communication which expressly or
implicitly advocates the success or defeat of any party, measure or person at any election.
Pursuant to RSA 664:17:
o No political advertising shall be placed on or affixed to any public property including
highway rights‐of‐way or private property without the owner's consent.
o All political advertising shall be removed by the candidate no later than the second Friday
following the election, unless the election is a primary and the advertising concerns a
candidate who is a winner in the primary.
o Political advertising shall not be placed on or affixed to utility poles or highway signs.
o Political advertising placed on or affixed to any public property may be removed by state,
city, or town maintenance or law enforcement personnel.
o Political advertising may be placed within state‐owned rights‐of‐way as long as the
advertising does not obstruct the safe flow of traffic and the advertising is placed with the
consent of the owner of the land over which the right‐of‐way passes.
Pursuant to Chapter 275 of the Town of Salem Municipal Code, placement of political advertising on
all Town‐owned property, including rights‐of‐way is prohibited.
o Right‐of‐way means all land adjacent to the traveled portion of a public way or street that lies
between the property lines of adjacent property owners.
o Typically, the right‐of‐way includes 10‐12 feet of land beyond the edge of the paved or
improved surface of the roadway.
o Telephone poles, fire hydrants, and sidewalks are typically located within the right‐of‐way;
therefore, political advertising should always be placed to the non‐street side of these objects.
In accordance with Chapter 275 of the Town of Salem Municipal Code, no person shall affix, attach,
or display any political advertising upon any object of nature, utility pole, telephone booth or highway
sign.
Please note that political advertising removed by the Town of Salem will be held at the field opposite
the Salem Transfer Station for one week following the election.
Please see RSA 664:17 and Chapter 275 of the Town of Salem Municipal Code for more details. Feel free
to contact the Community Development Department if you have any questions relative to the placement
of political advertising.