Selling Your House? Check the Laws On 'Open House' Signs

"Open House" signs posted in Chesterfield must carry the name, address and phone number of who posted it, and adhere to a very specific time frame to be left standing.

Chesterfield's City Council agreed to extend until December 2012 an ordinance allowing open house signs on Saturdays, and with specifics on what the signs should look like, where it may be placed on public streets—in order to sell a residence.

The provisions cover both directional signs and open house signs.

The Home Builders Association requested an extension for Saturday "Open House" directional signs.

Here are some of the highlights.

Directional open house signs allowed only when an open house is ongoing:

• Tuesdays 9a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Open house directional signs may be used only for houses in Chesterfield, or houses where the only access is through Chesterfield:

• No more than six signs per residence
• Only one sign allowed at turns
• No more than three feet square in size 
• No more than three feet high from the ground
• Signs must be in good condition and of quality materials
• A-frame or stake design allowed must stand upright.

How not to use the signs:

• Not on trees, signs or poles
• Not in the road or on medians
• Not blocking any traffic signs, walkways, curbs, streets
• Not on streets under construction 
• Not on streets with special events
• Not blocking anything that violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Not within five feet of a bus stop, bench, traffic sign.

Any sign that violates this ordinance may be removed by the city.

For the entire ordinance, check the city's website.