Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Distributing Handbills In Mesquite, Texas

Mesquite, Texas Handbill Law

ARTICLE II. HANDBILLS
Sec. 10-46.
Depositing on private property.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to throw or deposit or distribute any commercial or noncommercial handbills in or upon private premises which are inhabited, except by handing or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner or occupant or other person then present in or upon such private property; provided, however, that such handbills may be placed or deposited in or upon such inhabited private property if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such property or sidewalk or street and other public places

(b) When a legible sign not less than three (3) inches by four (4) inches in size with letters at least two-thirds ( 2/3) of an inch in height is posted conspicuously upon or near the main entrance to a residence bearing the words "no handbills," "no advertising," "no soliciting" or any similar notice indicating that the occupants of the premises do not desire to be inconvenienced or have their property or privacy disturbed, it shall be UNLAWFUL and an OFFENSE for any person to distribute or cause to be distributed, deposited or placed any handbill upon a residence so posted.

For purposes of this section, a person if deemed to have caused the distribution, depositing or placing of a handbill if his name appears on the handbill as the solicitor of business or producer of a message, or if he is the owner, manager or person in control of the business or organization for which the handbills are distributed.

(Code 1960, § 13-6.1; Ord. No. 2805, § 1, 4-6-92)

State law references:
Texas Litter Abatement Act, V.T.C.A. Health and Safety Code, § 365.001 et seq.

Definition of "Handbill":A small, printed advertising sheet or flyer distributed by hand.