Candidates for public office are reminded that state law prohibits the placement, painting, printing or affixing of advertisements to any object within the limits of any highway in Minnesota. This prohibition in Minnesota Statutes, section 160.27, applies to political campaign signs as well as to all other forms of advertising. Thislaw applies to all state, county, city and township roads and highways.
In addition, the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act (Minnesota Statutes, section 173.15) prohibits erecting advertising devices on private land without the consent of the owner or occupant, on public utility poles, on trees or shrubs, and by painting or drawing on rocks or natural features.
The Federal Highway Administration office in Minnesota monitors Minnesota’s compliance with federal highway beautification laws. State transportation employees are responsible for administering these laws on state highways and must remove signs that violate the laws. County, city and township employees administer these laws on their roads.
Local MnDOT offices should be contacted at (218) 387-3088 for assistance when signs are being placed where the specific highway right of way cannot be clearly identified. When improperly placed signs are removed by MnDOT employees, every effort will be made to temporarily store the sign and notify the candidate so the signs may be retrieved by the candidate or the candidate’s workers.
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