Placement of Campaign Signs Face Restrictions Along State Highways

Placement of Campaign Signs Face Restrictions Along State Highways

Exemptions Needed for Temporary Signs Visible from Highway

BUTTE/SUTTER/YUBA COUNTY - As election season approaches, Caltrans reminds political candidates and campaign workers about state laws governing the placement of "Temporary Political Signs" within view of state highways.

Section 5405.3 of the State Outdoor Advertising Act allows for the placement of temporary political signs along certain state highways under specific conditions. These signs are not allowed within the state highway right of way and must comply with additional state requirements.

Political signs may be placed on private property within 660 feet of a state highway right of way if they meet all applicable criteria. If a sign is visible from the roadway within this distance, candidates must file a Statement of Responsibility form with Caltrans' Outdoor Advertising Program in Sacramento.

Some highways in California are designated as classified "landscaped freeways," which include continuous ornamental planting along at least 1,000 feet of state right of way.

Along these designated roadways, stricter rules apply:
• Political signs cannot be visible within 660 feet of the highway right of way
• Even if placed on private property, signs must be positioned so they are not visible to drivers.

In Caltrans District 3, there are approximately 78.82 miles of classified landscaped freeways across 11 counties.

Temporary political signs must meet the following criteria:
1. Encourage a particular vote in a scheduled election
2. Be placed no sooner than 90 days prior to the election and removed within 10 days after the election
3. Be no larger than 32 square feet
4. Have a completed Statement of Responsibility form identifying the individual responsible for removal.

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

For more information or to obtain a Statement of Responsibility form, visit:
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/oda/political-signs

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

Want to see the full list of Certified "Landscape Freeways"?
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/lap-landscape-architecture-and-community-livability/lap-liv-b-classified-landscaped-freeways/modified-clf-master-list

Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to "Be Work Zone Alert" and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.

Caltrans issues construction and road condition updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic information, click on Caltrans' QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.