Campaign Signs Face Restrictions Along State Highways

Published:

Caltrans Logo

District:  District 3 - Marysville
Contact:  Gilbert Mohtes-Chan
Phone:  (530) 682-6145

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marysville – With the 2022 primary election season gearing up, political candidates and campaign workers for either an office or ballot measure are reminded of 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 permits the placement of Temporary Political Signs along state highways with restrictions. 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 3, there are more than 60 miles of roadway in the 11-county Sacramento Valley and Sierra Region that fall under the “landscaped freeway” classification. State highways in this classification have at least 1,000 feet of continuous ornamental plant covering along the state right of way.

(See attached list of landscaped freeways in Sacramento, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn, Nevada, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter and Butte counties. To find the exact locations, view the Postmile Services Query Tool.)

If campaign signs are located on private property, but within view of a 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 to download the “Statement of Responsibility” for temporary political signs, please visit the Political Signs page.

A completed Statement of Responsibility must be submitted to: Caltrans Division of Traffic Operations, Outdoor Advertising Program, P.O. Box 942874, MS-36 Sacramento, CA 94274-0001.

Caltrans District 3 maintains more than 4,385 lanes miles of state highway in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. The department issues updates about road conditions on Twitter and on Facebook. For real-time traffic information, check out the Caltrans Quickmap or download the free Caltrans QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

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