Is it legal to post fliers on street signs, utility poles?

Thursday, July 15, 2010 | 2 a.m.

Mr. Sun,

Is it legal for every huckster selling carpet-cleaning services, condos or drink specials to post banners and signs on stop signs and light poles along the streets in my neighborhood, or even along busy thoroughfares? And if so, is it illegal for me to remove them?

— Vigilante Sign Remover

•••

Mr. Sun sometimes wishes the world were as advertised on the valley’s light poles. Lose those extra pounds with ease? Sign me up. Get filthy rich working from home? Nirvana.

But I digress.

Those signs with the fantastic claims decorating traffic signs and light poles — litter on a stick, as one wag described them — are illegal, according to valley code enforcement officials. And the public is more than welcome to tear them down, authorities say, as long as they keep things tidy.

“Obviously they can’t remove them and throw them on the ground because that would be littering,” said Officer Barbara Morgan of Metro Police. “But if they remove them properly and throw them away, there should be no repercussions.”

Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to [email protected].