Date:  Thursday, July 01, 2010

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA – WSDOT reminds candidates and their supporters that campaign signs are not allowed in the state highway right-of-way.

Because it’s not always easy to know the boundaries of a state highway right-of-way, here are a few clues:

• Utility poles are typically located inside the right-of-way. So no signs between the pole and the state highway.
• Many locations also have a fence line separating the right-of-way from private property. So again, no signs between the fence and the state highway.

Under the Washington Administrative Code 468-66, temporary political signs are allowed on private property visible from state highways. However, the property owner must consent, and the sign must comply with the WAC, as well as any local regulations.

Campaign signs on private property visible from the state highways must also meet the following requirements:

• Maximum size of 32 square feet in area.
• Removed within 10 days following the election.

Local municipalities may also have additional regulations, which may differ from city to city and county to county.

The best way to determine the boundary lines for a state highway right-of-way is to check with WSDOT Outdoor Advertising Specialist Pat O’Leary. He can be reached at OLearyP@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling (360) 705-7296. You will need to provide the state route number (I-5, SR 28, US 2, US 97, etc.) and the name of the nearest intersection or approximate milepost.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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