BEMIDJI,
Minn. – Placement of rummage sale signs and other unauthorized objects
in state highway rights of way is prohibited under MN State Statute
160.27, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In
addition, rummage sale 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 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 (MN State
Statute 173.15) prohibits erecting advertising devices on public
utility poles, trees and shrubs, and painting or drawing on rocks or
natural features.
MnDOT
administers these laws in a fair and impartial manner. All signs,
including: rummage, garage, yard, estate, realty, flea market, craft,
produce, greenhouse and nursery sale are treated in the same way. Signs
wrongly placed on state highway property by businesses, churches,
private citizens or charitable groups will be removed.
For
information regarding the proper placement of rummage sale signs or
where to find signs that have been removed, contact your local MnDOT
office:
Bemidji area- (218) 755-6500
Crookston area- (218) 277-7950
Thief River Falls area- (218) 683-8000
