Political signs not allowed on highway right of way – Osage County Online | Osage County News

Political signs not allowed on highway right of way

TOPEKA, Kan. – It’s a sign of the season – political campaigning and the posting of campaign signs. The Kansas Department of Transportation is reminding the public that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited on state rights of way.

By law, all state highway rights of way are exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs placed by KDOT are allowed on the 9,500-mile state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes.

When KDOT maintenance crews find political or business advertising on state right of way, the signs will be removed immediately and without notice. All such signs will then be taken to the closest KDOT sub-area office. Political campaign signs not retrieved from the sub-area offices will be disposed of after the election.

Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. However, people placing or erecting signs on private property must first obtain permission from the property owner.

A state law passed in 2015 related to placement of campaign signs on city or county owned rights of way does not apply to state highway right of way. Persons placing signs along city streets or county roads should consult local jurisdiction rules.

Information thanks to KDOT.

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