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To All Candidates for Public Office

Placement of Signs along Trunk Highways

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds the public that placing signs, including campaign signs, along trunk highways is prohibited. State law (Minn. Stat. 160.2715) prohibits the placement, painting, printing or affixing of advertisements on any object within the limits of a trunk highway. This restriction includes driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. The trunk highway system includes state, U.S., and interstate highways in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act (Minn. Stat. 173.15), which applies to land next to trunk highway right of way, prohibits placing advertising devices on private land without consent of the owner or occupant; on trees, shrubs, or public utility poles; or by painting on rocks or other natural features.

These laws protect the safety of the traveling public and those who might place signs. They ensure Minnesota complies with federal highway beautification laws. Right of way is used for a variety of purposes, including providing a safe place for vehicles that leave travel lanes, snow storage, location for public utilities, draining excess water away from roads, vegetation growth for aesthetics and erosion control and even pollinator habitat. Unauthorized signs and people stopping to place signs within the limits of the highway can compromise these functions.

County, city and township employees administer applicable laws on roads under their jurisdiction. MnDOT is responsible for the trunk highway system. Please contact local MnDOT offices for assistance when placing signs where trunk highway right of way cannot be clearly identified. Make sure those who place signs on your behalf know the law. Illegally placed signs will be removed by MnDOT employees and temporarily stored. Please contact local MnDOT offices promptly to retrieve signs that have been removed.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process and thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Commissioner

 

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