Yard signs can be displayed in various locations, including your private property, someone else’s property (with permission), and certain public areas. However, it’s essential to understand and follow local laws and regulations governing yard sign placement to avoid any legal issues. In this guide, we will discuss the best places to use yard signs.
Beyond legalities, there are best practices rooted in common courtesy that can guide your approach. For instance, always ask for permission before placing a sign on someone else’s property, whether it’s a neighbor’s lawn or a business location. It’s considerate and shows respect for others’ spaces. Imagine how frustrating it would be to find a political or advertising sign unexpectedly planted in your yard.
A good rule of thumb is to follow the “golden rule”: treat others as you’d want to be treated. By being mindful of laws and showing courtesy, you can make sure your yard signs are both effective and respectful.
- Outdoor advertising structures, signs, displays, and devices within 660 feet of the edge of the right-of-way of highway on the Interstate Highway System are prohibited
- Signage is prohibited within 100 feet of any public park, state forest, playground, or cemetery
- Signs are prohibited within 15 feet from the outside line of any highway outside the “thickly settled” or business part of a city or town, except on the walls of a building in which the goods advertised are offered for sale or the business advertised is conducted
There isn’t a single resource or website that comprehensively covers yard sign regulations across all states, cities, and municipalities. Laws can vary widely depending on your location. The best approach is to contact your local municipality’s Department of Transportation and consult county, state, and federal guideline websites to ensure you’re in compliance.
Taking the time to research these rules upfront can save you significant hassle later. Imagine investing time, money, and effort into distributing yard signs, only to have them removed by officials or face fines for non-compliance. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. By understanding the regulations in your area, you can confidently promote your business to potential customers without unexpected setbacks.
Yard Sign Placement to Drive Engagement:
Yard signs are one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising, period. Whether you are promoting your business or an event, yard signs are a great way to get the word out. But where to put them? Like real estate agents proclaim, “location, location, location.” They say that for good reason. The same holds true for you and your yard sign.
Even the best-designed sign won’t succeed without proper placement. Start by evaluating your property’s layout. If you’re mid-block, place signs at both ends of your property. For larger lots, add one in the center. Angle signs at the edges slightly toward oncoming traffic for maximum visibility. A sign that isn’t seen is a wasted opportunity. Also, when planning your campaign, focus on areas where your target audience lives, works, or spends time and prioritize high-traffic locations whenever possible.
Place your yard or lawn signs near traffic lights. A stopped car is a potential customer who has time to read your sign. The greater the visibility of your yard signs to your target audience, the more impact they will have.
Here’s another tip. Like any form of advertising, your yard signs can become white noise after a while. Consider rotating your signs to new locations occasionally. But be careful not to relocate your signs too soon or too often and risk not maximizing impressions.
Types of Signs for Effective Placement:
Different types of signage can be used to earn more impressions based upon where your placement of yard signs will go. For example, the “standard” political yard sign is made of 18”x24” corrugated plastic, and placing them on lawns, near polling stations, or at intersections works well to grab impressions and hopefully subsequent action. If you’re in charge of public relations at a hospital, you want to go bigger to accentuate the pride taken in the employees who have been dealing with COVID-19, for example.
In this instance, yard letters would be so much more effective, placed right by the hospital entrance. It provides exposure for patients and their families that will resonate and potentially earn more new patient numbers. Realtors generally go with an aluminum sign, placed strategically on lawns near the sidewalk, facing traffic. Since a home could conceivably be on the market for a while, aluminum is a perfect choice, given its resistance to the unwanted weather elements that the outdoors can bring.
