I was so glad to hear the story about Federal Way taking back control of their sidewalks and public thoroughfares! I'd love to do it in my town as well.

No it does not in my opinion. realtors clog up the sidewalks with those signs. Especially in denser neighborhoods. sidewalks are for pedestrian traffic not free marketing space. I have no problem with the signs in general, it just that they need to keep there signs off the sidewalks. I would really hate to see someone get hit by a car or something because there sign (or multiple realtor signs) took up too much space on a sidewalk and some kid on a bike or some person in a wheelchair had to go onto the street into traffic. Get a wood spike, a board, and hammer the sign into some earth, I've seen those around or the sign with little wire legs you just push into dirt.

No the ordinance does not go to far. It is important for ALL citizens to have equal access, and the blind need sidwalks to be predictable and as object clear as possible. When using a white cane it can be very difficult to navigate around random signage placed in the pathway of a sedewalk. As baby boomers age this will be even more of an issue due to increased age related eye conditions.

I am a Realtor and I think that we should be allowed to put out our signs. I agree that they should not be in the middle of the sidewalk but in many places we are told: not in the right of way, not on the sidewalk, not on personal property, not on public property, THEN WHERE?

When we have open houses we are offering a service to our clients and working to get maximum exposure for their property in a very challenging market. Most real estate agents take down their signs right after the open house. You may not know but these signs are very expensive and none of us wish to loose them. Most of us take down our arrow signs once our listed property has sold. Also, if you were the person selling their home would you want us to be able to direct prospective clients to your open house? or put out our small arrow signs so people can find your property? Think about it!

I do not sell homes in Federal Way but I do know Realtors are dealing with the same thing in Kitsap and Peirce counties and Gig Harbor. I am almost sure there are other places out there that are also dealing with this issue. In Kitsap we have someone from the county who comes around and pops the balloons that we attach to our sandwich boards to draw the publics attention. Is this really necessary? If we support our community is it to much to ask for our community to support us?

This is a challenging time for most of us and we are hard working professionals. There must be a solution that everyone can live with while we serve our clients and continue to try and make a living.

I don't think the ordinance goes too far.Our sidewalks and utility poles are increasingly becoming kiosks for commercial advertisements.Here in Seattle, I see sandwich boards on the sidewalks,blocking pedestrian traffic,blocking wheelchair ramps,placed on City and Park department,PUBLIC, property.Also a big problem is the unlawful placement of campaign and commercial signs on PUBLIC property.Anyone in Seattle who wishes to report unlawfully placed signs can call 684-5253 and register a complaint.

Hooray for the citizens, it really takes away from the community with all those realty,hair,nail & other signs...business lease for commercial property is my biggest issue for my community. they want to lease empty property but at whose expense..a lot like oil price manipulation...most realtors in that community.

If these signs are so important, put them out in the road and block cars instead of walkers. But that will never happen.
I'm tired of the sidewalk being blocked every time there is construction, or a garbage can, or a planter, or a sidewalk cafe, or an advertising sign. Put them in the road for a change. "I'm walking here!"
Margaret

Bingo Margarett!

This ban is a great start! I'm tired of constantly being solicited thousands of times a day. Even when I'm trying enjoy peace and quiet at home, I have people ringing my doorbell to try and advertise. If you want to advertise a house for sale, thats what newspapers, real estate guides, the internet, and your own real estate office are for... Not the grass in my neighborhood!

OK I do agree with some of the issues about putting sings on the sidewalk, no dont block the walk!!! I do see that as a safety hazzard, but on the same side why not have the for sale sings on light post and even the real estate signs in the yards, let talk about the housing market, yeah some of you say advertise on the internet or in newspaper, but do you really know what your getting with a picture, I dont know about you but I like to see what Im getting and where its at and whats all around it. This is a hit and miss issue, half of it I like but the other half not really, I mean come on what about all the people out there that dont have internet or a major newspaper in their town, how do you expand your search in advertisement?

^^^then you get off your butt and go to the real estate office and you say "hey, im interested in buying a house, could you show me around?" and they will gladly drive you around all day long and show you everything and more than you ever wanted to know. and if you dont have internet, your local library does, and if your town isnt big enough to have a newspaper with housing ads, im pretty sure you can see all thats for sale from your front window.

What about roadside memorials?? These are just as rude, memorials belong in a cemetery, not on the side of the street.

I think it is great ..there should not be any signs. Looks terrible and is distracting to driver's . realitor's can use the newspaper Craigslist and or any other 1000's of ways to advertise!