Eden Prairie’s campaign sign rules: What voters and candidates need to know

Clarification: This article has been clarified to reflect Wendi Russo’s statement that she has approximately 175 signs up. Russo also mentioned that two of her signs were mistakenly removed from private property by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, but the error was corrected.

During an election year, candidates for local, state, and federal offices have various ways to get their names and messages out to voters. These methods include in-person meet-and-greet events, door-knocking, media buys in print and broadcast, direct mail, bumper stickers, and lawn signs.

Eden Prairie has guidelines governing campaign literature and signs. For instance, it’s unlawful to distribute campaign materials at city facilities, and there are specific rules regarding lawn signs.

According to the city’s website, campaign signs may be placed on private property, provided they are outside the street right-of-way and with the property owner’s permission.

The right-of-way generally extends from the center of the roadway to several feet back from the curb, typically 10 to 15 feet, though this distance can vary.

Here are a few of the general rules:

• No sign may be attached to trees, vegetation, or utility poles, whether on private or public property.

• Signs are prohibited on rooftops.

• Signs cannot be placed on publicly owned land, including city properties, parks, facilities, public schools, and church properties.

• Inflated devices, banners, pennants, whirling devices, and dynamic displays are forbidden.

• On election day, signs are not permitted within 100 feet of a polling place.

The city also states that local sign codes are superseded by state law during campaign season. According to this law, all noncommercial signs, regardless of size, may be posted in any quantity 46 days before the state primary and until 10 days after the state general election. Municipal ordinances may regulate the size and number of noncommercial signs at other times.

Every election year, some campaign signs are stolen or vandalized. While this may seem like a harmless prank, those caught committing these acts can face serious fines.

What are the specifics of such incidents in Eden Prairie?

City spokesperson Joyce Lorenz explained that the city doesn’t track stolen or vandalized yard signs specifically.

“Unfortunately, our system does not have a dedicated category for that type of item, so we can’t easily pull those numbers without manually reviewing all theft and damage to property reports,” Lorenz said. “In speaking with senior officers who have been through many campaign seasons, they don’t recall many reported sign thefts. In the rare cases where campaign signs were reported stolen, the incidents seemed prank-related.”

The two candidates for Minnesota House District 49B have somewhat different perspectives on signs. Incumbent Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, a Democrat seeking her fourth term in the Legislature, faces challenger Wendi Russo, a Republican running her first campaign for public office.

“We have about 150 lawn signs up,” said Kotyza-Witthuhn. “I place a good deal of importance on them in terms of raising awareness.”

Koytza-Witthuhn’s campaign will try to pick up the signs after the election. She said the number of reported acts of vandalism against her has “been less than five. Although one was blatant in that the perpetrator intentionally drove his or her vehicle over the sign, destroying it.”

Russo said she has “about 175 signs up.”

There were two instances where the Minnesota Department of Transportation mistakenly removed signs from private property, but the error was identified and corrected.

She also supports the idea of creating a site where people can return campaign signs if they choose.

Carol Bomben, a resident who regularly displays several signs in her yard during election years, puts up signs for candidates ranging from president to school board, depending on the election.

“I’ve noticed that this year the number of yard signs in the area seems to be down,” she said.

She said she hasn’t had any issues with vandalism but noted, “Halloween is coming.”

If you find signs illegally placed in your yard or within the right of way, report it to the city’s zoning administrator. The city keeps reports confidential and responds to clear violations, though during election season, only signs posing sightline hazards or extreme violations are investigated. Signs removed from public right-of-ways are held at the Eden Prairie Police Department, 8080 Mitchell Road, for three days before disposal.

To retrieve a removed sign, contact the zoning administrator at 952-949-6200. Penalties are detailed in City Code Section 11.70, Subd. 8.F.

Editor’s note: Carol Bomben is on the Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) board of directors.