Political signs cannot be along public roadways

The Vermont Agency of Transportation today issued a reminder for political candidates and their supporters of the need to comply with Vermont’s sign control law when posting campaign signs along public roadways.
The Vermont sign law prohibits off-premises signs as well as all types of signs within the limits of public highway rights-of-way, with the obvious exception of traffic-control signs.
Political candidates and their supporters often place campaign signs on lawns near a roadway believing they are on private property when many times they are in the highway right-of-way. Most right-of-ways in Vermont are at least 49.5 feet wide, extending 24.75 feet on either side of the centerline and often are wider.
“In many instances, placing a campaign sign too close to the road means it is located within the roadway right-of-way,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “Clusters of political signs, particularly at intersections, can become a safety hazard as they interfere with sight distances.”
Aside from sight distance, another area of concern is the placement of campaign signs in the median or on the edge of limited access highways, entrance and exit ramps to Interstate highways, and other four-lane roads.
Each campaign season, state road crews remove signs violating the law from roadway right-of-ways, and will do so again this year.
“As in past years, signs that are removed will be kept for 90 days at the local District Maintenance Garage operated by VTrans,” Dill said. “Candidates and their supporters are welcome to visit the garage and retrieve their signs during that time.”
Candidates and their supporters are also reminded that there may be local sign ordinances that are stricter than state law and need to be observed. Information regarding local sign ordinances generally can be obtained from the local zoning administrator or municipal clerk.
In addition to prohibiting signs in the highway right-of-way, state statutes also prohibit posting any kind of sign or notice on utility poles, regardless of whether the pole is within the right-of-way or on private property.
For more comprehensive information on political signs, visit the Secretary of State website at http://vermont-elections.org/elections1/political_signs.html
Source: VTrans. 6.17.2010