Plainfield Campaign Sign Ordinance MC 2026-25

The Plainfield City Council passed an ordinance in August establishing new restrictions on campaign and special event signage across the city. The measure, designated MC 2026-25, took effect on August 30, 2026.

Councilwoman Darcella Sessomes introduced the measure, and the council voted unanimously in favor — twice — without public discussion before either vote.

Corporation Counsel David Minchello characterized the rule at its first reading. "It is an ordinance to require that all campaign materials be removed 14 days after an election," Minchello said. That 14 day removal requirement, however, also applied to existing code for political signs in the public right of way — raising questions about what, precisely, the new ordinance adds or changes.

The ordinance prohibits campaign materials from being painted or affixed to any private property, private fence, or private tree without the property owner's consent. It also bans campaign signs on public facilities including traffic poles, utility poles, parking meters, public trees, mailboxes, garbage cans, benches, bus shelters, public buildings, and vacant buildings.

MC 2026-25 also establishes Plainfield's first specific rules for special event signage. Special event materials may be placed on public facilities with prior approval from the City Clerk.

The ordinance requires that the name and address of the person or persons who caused the material to be posted appear on the sign. Sessomes stated that "person/persons" refers to the candidate, who would be responsible for any citation. Campaign signs are already subject to identification requirements under state campaign finance law.

A person responsible for an unlawfully posted sign has 48 hours after receiving notice to remove it before becoming subject to penalties. The Plainfield Police Department and the Department of Public Works would enforce the ordinance and may remove unlawfully posted materials on public property.

However, several ambiguities surround the ordinance's implementation. The ordinance's text states: "Any campaign or special event material posted in a lawful manner shall be removed by the person who posted that material not later than fourteen (14) days subsequent to the event or election to which it refers, unless the owner of the property upon which it is posted expressly desires the continued presence of the material."

That language introduces a private property exception that existing code did not include in the same terms, and it appears to complicate interpretation of the existing private property exemption. Existing code states that political signs on private property carry no time restriction. Sessomes confirmed that the private property exemption remains in place.

One point of ambiguity concerns the planting strip, the area between the sidewalk and the street, which is part of the public right of way. Sessomes stated: "As I understand, the planting strip is not the property of the homeowner, but does defer the right of the adjacent homeowner to object to the placement. However, I look to confirm the legal explanation with Corporation Counsel."

Sessomes deferred to Minchello for a definitive legal answer on the planting strip. Minchello did not respond to multiple requests for clarification sent on August 13 and August 17, 2026.

The ordinance's effective date coincides with active campaigning for the November 3, 2026 Plainfield Board of Education election.

Union County Life covers Plainfield government and municipal policy. Find more Plainfield news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is ordinance MC 2026-25?
A: It is Plainfield's new campaign and special event sign ordinance that took effect August 30, 2026, establishing restrictions on where signs can be posted and requiring removal 14 days after an election or event.

Q: When did the ordinance take effect?
A: The ordinance took effect on August 30, 2026.

Q: Who introduced the ordinance?
A: Councilwoman Darcella Sessomes introduced the ordinance.

Q: What is the main rule about sign removal?
A: Campaign and special event materials must be removed no later than 14 days after the election or event to which they refer.

Q: Where are campaign signs prohibited?
A: Campaign signs are prohibited on private property without owner consent, private fences, private trees, traffic poles, utility poles, parking meters, public trees, mailboxes, garbage cans, benches, bus shelters, public buildings, and vacant buildings.

Q: What about special event signs?
A: Special event materials may be placed on public facilities only with prior written approval from the City Clerk.

Q: What identification is required on signs?
A: The name and address of the person or persons who caused the material to be posted must appear on the sign. The candidate is responsible for compliance.

Q: What happens if a sign is posted unlawfully?
A: The responsible person has 48 hours after receiving notice to remove the sign before becoming subject to penalties.

Q: Who enforces the ordinance?
A: The Plainfield Police Department and Department of Public Works enforce the ordinance and may remove unlawfully posted materials on public property.

Q: Can campaign signs stay on private property?
A: Yes. The private property exemption remains in place; political signs on private property carry no time restriction.

Q: What about the planting strip between the sidewalk and street?
A: The classification of the planting strip remains ambiguous. It is part of the public right of way but may defer homeowner objection rights. Corporation Counsel has not provided definitive clarification.

Q: When is the next election subject to these rules?
A: The November 3, 2026 Plainfield Board of Education election is the first election subject to the ordinance's requirements.