AUGUSTA, GA – As the city of Augusta gears up for hurricane season, tournament time, and tax season, city leaders are tackling an ongoing issue that has plagued the community for years—illegal signs. In a push to restore order and maintain the city’s aesthetic, officials are warning residents and businesses that posting signs in public rights of way or on utility poles could result in serious consequences.

Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice, one of the leaders addressing the issue, shared that she personally reached out to individuals responsible for illegal signage. “I called one of those numbers and left them a message saying you need to go pick up your signs, or we’re going to start fining you,” she explained.

In a recent press release, Augusta’s city leaders reiterated the city’s commitment to enforcing local ordinances. They issued a stark warning to those engaging in the practice: violators could face fines of up to $1,000 and potentially 60 days in jail.

The problem of illegal signage has persisted for years, often intensifying during peak tourist seasons, such as the annual Masters Tournament in April. However, city officials are adamant that enforcement must go beyond this one month of heightened activity.

“We need to keep it in line with our ordinance,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam. “If you want to do business, you have to obey the rules.” Pulliam’s sentiment is echoed by fellow officials, who are calling for consistent enforcement throughout the year, not just during busy times.

Commissioner Tony Lewis stressed the importance of addressing illegal signs in a comprehensive, year-round manner. “It’s not just what takes place in Augusta in the month of April. It needs to be consistently done,” Lewis noted. “I don’t want to see signs all year long, let alone just in the month of April.”

Despite the city’s determined stance, the battle against illegal signs remains a difficult one. Even as code enforcement teams work diligently to clean up signs, they often find that new ones appear almost immediately. Commissioner Jordan Johnson acknowledged the ongoing challenge, saying, “They’ve been doing a great job, but as soon as they go to cleanup, someone has painted the city again. We just have to make it a continuous effort.”

Augusta city leaders are making it clear that they are serious about addressing the problem. The ongoing fight to combat illegal signage is expected to require not only stronger enforcement but also community cooperation to preserve the city’s public spaces and maintain the integrity of local ordinances.