Placement of Campaign Signs Face Restrictions Along State Highways

With the arrival of the 2022 election season, political candidates and campaign workers for either an office or a ballot measure are reminded about a state law governing the placement of "Temporary Political Signs" within view of a state highway.

Section 5405.3 of the State Outdoor Advertising Act allows an exemption for the placement of "Temporary Political Signs" along certain state highways. However, these signs are not to be placed within the state right of way. In addition, signs cannot be visible within 660 feet from the edge of the right of way of a classified "landscaped freeway".

In Caltrans District 2, there are 15.5 miles of roadway that fall under the "landscaped freeway" classification, which covers ornamental planting covering at least a 1,000-foot-long continuous stretch of state right of way.

If campaign signs are within view of state highway, candidates MUST file a "Statement of Responsibility" form with Caltrans' Outdoor Advertising Program in Sacramento.

A temporary political sign meets the following criteria:

1. Encourages a vote in a scheduled election

2. Is placed no sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and is removed within 10 days after that election.

3. Is no larger than 32 square feet

4. Has a "Statement of Responsibility" form filed with Caltrans certifying a person who will be responsible for removing the signs.

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙡.

For more information or a copy of the "Statement of Responsibility" form, click here.