Chapter 7.20
ADVERTISING HANDBILLS1

Sections:

7.20.010    Advertising media on residential property.

7.20.020    Distribution of advertising media in the public way.

7.20.010 Advertising media on residential property.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, or any agent or employee of any person, firm or corporation to throw into, leave upon, or scatter onto any residential property in the city of Pacific Grove any newspaper, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, or any advertising sheet or matter devised or intended to promote any commercial or money-making activity in respect of which property either of the following has occurred:

(a) The owner or occupant has posted a sign, viewable from the street, stating words to the effect “NO CIRCULARS” or “NO HANDBILLS” or the like;

(b) The owner or occupant, or agent of either, has written to the city, at the City Hall, expressing a denial of consent to such form or forms of distribution on the property and the source or entity making such distribution shall have been notified of such denial of consent.

A source or entity making such form or forms of distribution is deemed to have been notified of denial of consent when actually notified of such communication denying consent. As to any source or entity not specifically identified in the communication denying consent, notification shall be deemed completed upon the receipt of such communication by the city. It shall be the duty of any such source or entity to examine the city’s records of communications which do not specifically name a source or entity, before making any such distribution.

Nothing herein contained is intended to prohibit freedom of speech, but is intended to regulate business and commercial advertising matter. [Ord. 706 N.S. § 1, 1971; Ord. 534 N.S., 1966; Ord. 520 N.S., 1965; Ord. 210 N.S. § 8-2090(1), 1952].

7.20.020 Distribution of advertising media in the public way.

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, or any agent or employee of any person, firm or corporation, to drop, scatter, or cast on or upon any public street or any sidewalk, or to place in or on any vehicle parked in or upon any public way without the consent of the owner thereof, any newspaper, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, or any other advertising sheet or matter devised or intended to promote in whole or in part any commercial or money-making activity; provided, that this section shall not be construed as preventing the giving away or sale of any newspaper or written or graphic material to any person willing to acquire same, or the display of newspapers or written or graphic material to promote commercial or money-making activity on racks which prevent their being blown about by the wind. [Ord. 535 N.S., 1966].


1

    See PGMC Title 20 for commercial sign regulations.