As local and national elections heat up across the state and country, more and more political signs start appearing along Washington roadsides. WSDOT reminds campaigners that it's illegal to post campaign signs on the state highway right-of-way. Signs (other than those used for traffic control) within the right-of-way are prohibited.
WSDOT 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. 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 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 for campaign workers 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 by WSDOT.
*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 local WSDOT regional offices. WSDOT staff will need to know the state route number (I-5, SR 28, US 2, US 97, etc.) and the name of the nearest intersection (or approximate milepost) to check the right-of-way boundaries for a particular highway section.
You can identify the appropriate WSDOT contact person by reviewing the county listing below:
Pat Arnold
Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant
PO Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 667-3077
Reed Osborn
Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman
2714 North Mayfair St.
Spokane, WA 99207-2090
(509) 324-6549
For more information about outdoor advertising signs, contact Pat O'Leary, Outdoor Advertising Specialist, at (360) 705-7296 or visit our website at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/trafficoperations/traffic/billboards.htm
© Copyright 2006 by North Cascades Broadcasting, Inc
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