Topic: Neighborhood Planning

The City of Austin is enforcing a 20-year-old ordinance against "bandit signs" on public rights-of-way, classifying them as Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500. A new "Volunteer Sign Ranger" program allows citizens to wear uniforms and use city vehicles to remove illegal advertisements for businesses and political campaigns. Critics argue the program is a revenue-generating scheme that targets free speech and small business owners.