(1) It shall be unlawful to paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix, any hand-bill or sign to or upon any sidewalk, curb, “parking strip” (the area, if any, between a sidewalk and curb), street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, bridge, electricity or telephone pole or wires or poles appurtenant thereto, drinking fountain, street sign or traffic sign, public park, or any other public property.

(2) Any hand-bill or sign found posted, or otherwise affixed, upon any public property contrary to the provisions of this Section may be removed by employees of the Police Department, the Department of Public Works or the Development Services Department. The person responsible for any such unlawful posting shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal thereof.

(3) Signs predominately made of paper, cardboard, wood, “particle board,” or similar materials which are removed from public property by employees of the Police Department, the Department of Public Works or the Development Services Department, pursuant to Subsection (2) of this Section, may be summarily destroyed. Other signs shall be held and disposed of as otherwise required for abandoned property.

(4) Nothing in this Section shall apply to house numbers painted on curbs, to traffic and other regulatory signs posted by governments or their subdivisions, to notices of elections, or to notices of historical, cultural, artistic or civic events which are posted with the approval of Provo City. Provided, however, that Provo City shall not permit any historical, cultural, artistic or civic sign or notice to be placed on an electricity or telephone utility pole.