Political signage rules

The Wyoming Department of Transportation this week issued a reminder that advertising signs cannot be placed in the state rights-of-way.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of signs our maintenance crews are having to remove from the right-of-way fence or from the right-of-way itself,” said WYDOT area maintenance foreman Brian Pittman of Basin. “Wyoming law and WYDOT policy prohibit placement of signs in those areas, so when our maintenance crews come through an area, they pick them up and take them to the area maintenance office. Whoever owns the sign has two weeks to claim the sign, and then we dispose of the sign.”

Wyoming Statute 24-10-104 states that outdoor advertising must meet certain conditions for placement. One of those conditions refers to the placement of signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located.

Fines and even jail time can be inflicted on those who don’t comply with the law.

“This applies to political candidates, real estate representatives and residents advertising garage sales. Posting these signs along roadways is illegal within the right-of-way of rural highways and interstates,” Pittman said. “The signs can become a real problem for motorists, both by restricting line of sight and creating a potential collision hazard. We understand signs are placed to help businesses and promote candidates, but rights-of-way must stay clear of signs for safety reasons.”

Campaign signs may be placed within WYDOT’s right-of-way only in incorporated cities and towns where permitted. Wyoming Statute 22-25-115 states that campaign advertising may only be placed in the state’s right-of-way within a municipality, and then only if the municipality has passed an ordinance allowing such placement.

Political candidates, business people and citizens who believe their signs may have been removed by WYDOT crews may contact the nearest WYDOT maintenance office to make arrangements to pick up the signs.

“Our concern is always for the safety of the traveling public,” Pittman said.

Also, with regard to political signs, according to the town code such signs shall not be erected prior to 120 days before the next scheduled election and must be removed within 15 days after that election. The code defines political signs as signs that promote “the election of a particular candidate, a political party or any phase of the election process.”

The code also states the allowed coverage or area of signage in residential districts is eight square feet but limited to four square feet per side of each sign. For commercial districts, the sign guidelines fall under Sec. 15-704 of the town code, which states, “Total coverage or area of all allowed sign types, governed by this Article, located on one private lot or parcel of land will be calculated by allowing three square feet of total coverage or area per one lineal foot of lot frontage or three square feet per one lineal foot of building frontage whichever is more restrictive but not to exceed 500 square feet per lot or parcel. Allowable sign coverage for a private lot or parcel that does not contain a building will be calculated using the lot frontage only but not to exceed 500 square feet.”