With political campaigns placing signs across communities throughout Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Transportation is reminding candidates and their supporters that campaign signs cannot legally be placed on state highway rights of way.
ARDOT issued the statewide reminder Friday, September 25, saying Arkansas law limits signs located on state-owned highway property to official directional, informational and regulatory highway signs.
Political campaign signs and other unauthorized signs placed inside highway rights of way are subject to removal by ARDOT maintenance crews.
CAMPAIGN SIGNS CANNOT BE PLACED ON STATE HIGHWAY PROPERTY
ARDOT says the restriction applies throughout all 75 Arkansas counties.
Campaign signs placed along highways must remain outside the state-owned right of way.
The right of way can include more property than just the paved roadway and shoulder.
Because highway rights of way vary by location, candidates, campaigns and property owners should make sure signs are located entirely on private property and outside the area controlled by ARDOT.
ARDOT CREWS WILL REMOVE YARD SIGNS
ARDOT says its local Area Maintenance Offices will remove unauthorized campaign yard signs found on highway rights of way.
The department says removed signs are not immediately destroyed.
Owners can retrieve the signs during normal business hours from the nearest ARDOT Area Maintenance Office.
ARDOT maintains highway facilities and maintenance operations across the state.
LARGE BILLBOARD-TYPE SIGNS HANDLED DIFFERENTLY
The department says personnel will also address larger political signs located within highway rights of way.
Instead of simply removing larger billboard-style signs, ARDOT says it will contact the owners and instruct them to remove the signs.
The warning applies regardless of the candidate, political party or office involved.
ARDOT SAYS SAFETY IS THE REASON
ARDOT Director Jared Wiley said keeping highway rights of way clear is important for both motorists and employees working alongside Arkansas highways.
“It is important to keep highway right of ways clear for the safety of both drivers and road workers,” Wiley said.
Signs placed too close to highways can potentially create visibility problems, interfere with roadside maintenance or create hazards for crews working near traffic.
RULE APPLIES TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS STATEWIDE
ARDOT’s reminder applies to candidates for local, county, state and federal offices whose signs are placed on state highway property.
The department’s action is based on where the sign is placed — not which candidate or campaign the sign supports.
Campaign signs placed legally on private property outside the highway right of way are not covered by the department’s removal notice.
Property owners and campaigns should verify property and right-of-way boundaries before installing signs near state highways.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A REMOVED SIGN?
According to ARDOT:
• Small campaign and yard signs located on highway rights of way may be removed by maintenance crews.
• Removed signs can be picked up at the nearest ARDOT Area Maintenance Office during normal business hours.
• Owners of large billboard-style signs may be contacted and instructed to remove them.
• The restriction applies statewide.
• Only authorized highway directional, informational and regulatory signs are permitted on state-owned highway property.
Candidates, campaign volunteers and residents placing signs along highways are encouraged to make sure the signs are located on private property and outside the state highway right of way.
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