Snellville officials are cracking down on those who distribute unsolicited advertising materials.
The Mayor and Council have approved a measure that makes it illegal to distribute such advertising materials in an effort to keep area streets free of accumulating debris.
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,” according to the ordinance. Such materials are often referred to as “fish wrappers”, a term dating back to the days when unwanted newspapers were in fact used to wrap discarded food.
The ordinance also states advertising materials can no longer be placed on private property in such a manner that 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. It also states no materials can be attached to a mailbox in violation of federal law and no materials may be delivered by leaving the material on the ground unprotected or in plastic bags.
Finally, it is now illegal 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.
In addition to creating litter on city streets, the materials covered by the ordinance also have an impact on storm water systems. A lot of the material that is thrown on streets and driveways washes into storm drainscausing blockages or polluting streams and lakes.
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