WSDOT warns about signs

The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds candidates and supporters to watch where they post political campaign signs: only traffic control signs are allowed in the right-of-way.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds candidates and supporters to watch where they post political campaign signs: only traffic control signs are allowed in the right-of-way.

WSDOT can help determine the right-of-way boundary. Maintenance crews will remove all illegal roadside signs.

Under the Washington Administrative Code 468-66, temporary political signs are allowed on private property as “on-premise” signs; and no fee or permit is required.

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To legally post campaign signs visible from state highways, the property owner must give consent, and the signs must comply with all provisions of WAC 468-66, as well as any local agency sign ordinances. The signs must also meet the following requirements:

• temporary political campaign signs are limited to a maximum size of 32 square feet in area.

• temporary political campaign signs must be removed within 10 days following the election.

It’s not always easy to know if a given location is within the boundaries of a state highway right-of-way, but there are clues in many locations:

• utility poles are typically located inside the right-of-way. If a sign location is being considered between a utility pole and the roadway shoulder, it’s likely the sign will be removed.

• many locations also have a fence line separating the right-of-way from private property. If a sign location is being considered on the roadway side of a right-of-way fence, it’s probable that the sign is in violation and will be removed.

The best way to determine where a state highway right-of-way boundary lies is to check with WSDOT Outdoor Advertising Specialist Pat O’Leary.

He can be reached at OLearyP@wsdot.wa.gov or call 360-705-7296. You will need to provide the state route number and the name of the nearest intersection or approximate milepost.