With the 2020 general election season gearing up, political candidates and campaign workers for either an office or a ballot measure are reminded about a state law governing the placement of “Temporary Political Signs” within view of a state highway.

Section 5405.3 of the State Outdoor Advertising Act allows an exemption for the placement of “Temporary Political Signs” along certain state highways. However, these signs are not to be placed within the state right of way. In addition, signs cannot be visible within 660 feet from the edge of the right of way of a classified “landscaped freeway.”

In Caltrans District 3, there are 76 miles of roadway in the 11-county Sacramento Valley and Sierra Region that fall under the “landscaped freeway” classification, which covers ornamental planting covering at least a 1,000-foot-long continuous stretch of state right of way. (See attached list of landscaped freeways)

If campaign signs are within view of a state highway, candidates MUST file a Statement of Responsibility form with Caltrans’ Outdoor Advertising Program in Sacramento.

A temporary political sign meets the following criteria:

1). Encourages a vote in a scheduled election.

2). Is placed no sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and is removed within 10 days          after that election.

3). Is no larger than 32 square feet.

4). Has a statement of responsibility form filed with Caltrans certifying a person who will be                       responsible for removing the signs?

 

State law directs Caltrans to remove unauthorized temporary political signs and bill the responsible party for their removal.

For more information or copy of the form “Statement of Responsibility” for temporary political signs, please visit: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/oda/political-signs

A completed Statement of Responsibility must be submitted to: Caltrans Division of Traffic Operations, Outdoor Advertising Program, P.O. Box 942874, MS-36
Sacramento, CA 94274-0001.

Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. For construction project updates, follow Caltrans District 3  on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.