Unauthorized Signs on Right-of-Way 'Against the Law'

The Georgia Department of Transportation is cautioning political candidates and campaigns not to place signs on rights of way.  Signs that are found on rights of way will be removed by Georgia DOT maintenance crews. 

“Unauthorized signs are against the law,” said Georgia DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith. “All signs on the state system, which includes all interstates and state routes, must be approved and permitted in order to be placed on our right of way. Signs that advertise yard sales, real estate for sale and/or political candidates are types of signs that are not allowed and will be removed.”

Georgia Code 32-6-51 states that "it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, place or maintain within the right of way of any public road any sign, signal or other device except as authorized by subsection (d) of this Code section." Any person who violates the advertising restrictions of Georgia Code 32 "shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Code Section 32-6-91."

Right of way is defined as the strip of land over which facilities such as highways, railroads or power lines are built and maintained.

“In the midst of this political season, we want to make sure that everyone understands the laws that deal with signs along state routes and interstates,” explained Smith.

“Signs that are removed from right of way by Department personnel will be held for 30 days and then destroyed.  If you don’t want to lose your signs, don’t place them within the right of way.”