DETROIT
LAKES, Minn. – Placement of campaign signs and other unauthorized objects
in state highway rights of way is not allowed under state law, according to the
Minnesota Department of Transportation. In addition, campaign signs may
not be placed on private property outside of the right of way limits without
landowner consent.
Highway
rights of way include the driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches
and sight corners at intersections.
MnDOT crews
will remove any unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of its local
maintenance truck stations.
Violation of
the law (Minn. Stat. 160.27) is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties also may apply
if the placement of such material contributes to a motor vehicle crash and
injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road.
In addition,
the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act (Minn. Stat. 173.15) prohibits
placing advertising materials on public utility poles, trees and shrubs, and
painting or drawing on rocks or natural features.
Political
campaign signs are treated in the same way as any other signs wrongly placed on
state highway property by businesses, churches, private citizens or charitable
groups.
For information regarding the proper
placement of campaign signs or where to find signs that have been removed,
contact the local MnDOT office at 218-846-3600. See also www.mndot.gov/govrel/rw_signs.html.
