Snellville passes ordinance to control unsolicited ad materials

Snellville has passed a new ordinance to control unsolicited ad materials. (Photo by Karen Huppertz for the AJC)

Snellville has passed a new ordinance to control unsolicited ad materials. (Photo by Karen Huppertz for the AJC)

Snellville officials are fed up with unsolicited advertising materials littering yards and streets. The City Council voted recently to approve a measure making it illegal to distribute them.

According to the new ordinance, unsolicited advertising material means, “any printed or written matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper, booklet, donation bag or any other printed matter or literature which is not delivered by the United States Postal Service.”

The ordinance also states advertising materials can no longer be placed on private property “if it can be blown, carried away by the elements, or deposited on any public place including streets, road right-of-ways, or adjoining private premises.” The ordinance also notes materials cannot be attached to a mailbox in violation of federal law and materials may not be delivered by leaving the material on the ground unprotected or in plastic bags.

Finally, it is now illegal in Snellville for anyone to put unsolicited advertising material in or on any vehicle unless the occupant of the vehicle is willing to accept the advertising.

Violators can be fined up to $1,000.