KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas City residents and businesses are being warned to remove any signs they’ve posted in public right-of-ways or on utility poles.

A new ordinance that imposes fines for illegally placing the signs takes effect Monday. The fine for the first offense in $20, with subsequent fines ranging from $20 to $1,000 per sign.

Kansas City crews and volunteers did a sweep last week, collecting 4,300 illegally placed signs, which were destroyed.

The Kansas City Star reports the signs have been prohibited on public right-of-ways since 1967 but the city has not had a way to enforce the ban.

City officials say they’ll concentrate on groups that place multiple signs and leave them up for days or weeks.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)