Those pesky ads you find thrown onto your yards and driveways could soon become illegal in Evansville. City council will take up the issue Monday.
If you’ve ever been annoyed bending over to pick up those ads off the ground, you’re not alone.
The proposed changes to the city code come after multiple Evansville residents have complained to city council about advertising circulars tossed onto their driveways.
"I didn’t realize it was such a problem…people come and complain about things all the time," says city councilman Jonathan Weaver, one of three councilmembers introducing the ordinance.
"I can see where it can become a nuisance if it’s just thrown in your driveway and if you have to bend over and pick it up a lot," Weaver says. "We don’t want people falling on ice."
The changes limit where these materials can be placed, like on a porch or through a mail slot. The city could levy a fine of between $100 and $200 for each violation of the new rules.
City code doesn't currently address the issue, according to city attorney Joshua Claybourn.
Weaver thinks he’ll support the measure but isn’t 100 percent sure. He says he’s conflicted about whether it unfairly targets the Courier and Press.
"I'm still teetering back and forth, whether I'm going to support this or not," Weaver says. "I lean more toward the homeowner on this."
We reached out to the owners of the Courier but haven’t heard back. If adopted, the changes become effective immediately.
Read the full text of the ordinance: