Planning on putting up a sign in your community? Here’s why that may be illegal.

Gwinnett County leaders reminded residents to be wary of what signs they are posting because they could be illegal.

Minor advertisements, political campaigns, diabetic strips, and junk removal signs are just a few examples of what the Gwinnett County Police Department calls “bandit signs.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Gwinnett County Sergeant Jennifer Richter told Channel 2′s Steve Gelbach that “bandit signs” are illegal in Gwinnett County.

Richter said these signs are illegal because they violate an ordinance against placing signs in the public right of way.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Georgia woman who pushed little sister out of the way of oncoming truck graduates from college

• Man opens fire on car with couple, 2 kids inside, leaving 3 shot

• Rapper Young Thug facing new street racing charges, lawyer confirms

“It’s considered to be litter,” Richter said. “So both the police department and the code enforcement unit do pick up those signs on a regular basis.”

Sometimes, these signs can block a driver’s view or be a distraction, officials said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Richter said even signs stapled on a tree or utility pole are illegal.

“Campaign signs, the candidates generally will pick those after the fact. And signs for open houses will get picked up,” Richter said. “But anything that’s long-term will mostly be getting pulled.”

In addition to police and code enforcement, volunteer organizations who work with Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and other environmental groups also pick up illegal signs.

IN OTHER NEWS: