It’s the Law: Removal of Signs on Right of Way

The Georgia Department of Transportation is cautioning state political candidates and campaigns to make certain roadside signs are not placed in rights of way. Those that are will be removed by Georgia DOT maintenance crews.

“Georgia law stipulates that the Department is required to maintain a safe roadway for the traveling public, which includes the immediate removal of any obstruction or hazard that may pose a threat to the traveling public,” said Georgia DOT District Engineer Thomas Howell. “Any sign along Georgia’s state routes and interstates must meet safety standards and be permitted by Georgia DOT to be in our right of way. Typically we find signs that advertise yard sales, real estate for sale and/or political candidates on Department land adjacent to our roads. None of those types of signs are allowed and will be removed by our personnel.”

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."

“In the midst of this political season, Georgia DOT would like to clarify the laws that deal with signs along State Routes and Interstates,” explained Howell. “As part of our routine maintenance work; the Department will remove ANY and ALL signs from our right of way. Right of way is defined as the strip of land over which facilities such as highways, railroads or power lines are built and maintained.”

Signs that are removed from right of way by Department personnel will be destroyed immediately. To prevent the loss of signs, do not place them on right of way.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).