Blab Politics
Nevada Department of Transportation Warns Candidates: Political Signs Forbidden on State Highway Right-of-Way
On Tuesday, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) issued a statewide reminder that placing political signs in the right‑of‑way of state highways is illegal. The notice arrives just days after the June 9 primary and ahead of the November general election, a time when campaigns are ramping up roadside advertising.
NDOT’s guidance cites Nevada Revised Statutes 405.020, 405.030 and 405.110, along with Nevada Administrative Code 410.440. These laws forbid any advertising sign—including campaign signs—within state‑controlled right‑of‑way on numbered rural routes, country roads, and many city streets. The rule applies to freeways, interstates, expressways, highways, and many city streets. In urban areas, the right‑of‑way typically covers sidewalks and a clear distance on either side of the street.
If a sign is found in the prohibited zone, NDOT crews will remove it and usually bring it to the nearest maintenance station. Sign owners or their representatives can then retrieve the sign. NDOT says it will try to remove signs without damaging them, keeping them for 30 days before disposal.
The department also referenced federal and state Highway Beautification Acts, which limit any sign on private property within 660 feet of a National Highway System (NHS) route. NHS routes include all freeways, interstates, expressways, most U.S. routes, and several state routes, including some city streets. For political signs adjacent to or within 660 feet of an NHS highway, NDOT requires compliance with federal spacing, size, zoning and lighting rules and a permit from the appropriate NDOT district office. A non‑refundable $200 fee will be charged for the permit.
NDOT clarified that a permit is not required for small political signs measuring 4 feet by 8 feet or smaller placed on private property near an NHS route.
General requirements for signs near state‑highway right‑of‑way or NHS routes include: no distraction to drivers, no resemblance to official traffic signs, and no obstruction of oncoming traffic. Timing rules also apply. For signs on private property adjacent to a state highway, NDOT says political signs may be erected no more than 60 days before a primary election and must be removed within 30 days after the primary. Signs for candidates or ballot questions appearing on the general election ballot do not have to be removed until 30 days after the general election.
Local governments can impose additional criteria for city and county roads; those restrictions must be checked locally.
NDOT provided contact information for questions about state‑highway right‑of‑way. In Clark County, the District I Office in Las Vegas can be reached at (702) 385‑6540. Tonopah’s District office is at (775) 482‑2300; the District II Office in Sparks is at (775) 834‑8300; Winnemucca’s office is at (775) 623‑8000; the District III Office in Elko is at (775) 777‑2700; and the Ely office is at (775) 289‑1700. For further information, the Right‑of‑Way Division can be contacted at (775) 888‑7480 in northern Nevada or (702) 385‑6540 in southern Nevada.
NDOT’s reminder follows a series of reports and local complaints about campaign signs that were placed on or near state highways. In October, a news outlet noted that improperly placed signs would be removed by maintenance crews and that owners could retrieve their signs by coordinating with local district offices. In May, a local station highlighted that political signs less than 4 by 8 feet could be posted on private property next to state roads no more than 60 days before an election.
The department’s enforcement policy is designed to prevent safety hazards. Signs that distract drivers, block the view of oncoming traffic, or could be blown into the roadway by wind are considered potential risks. NDOT’s removal process is intended to mitigate these hazards while allowing campaign owners to recover their signs.
Candidates and campaign staff are advised to review local ordinances in addition to NDOT regulations before installing any political signage. Failure to comply with the statutes and NDOT rules can result in removal of the sign and potential fines if a permit is required and not obtained.
The reminder underscores the importance of adhering to state and federal regulations as the November general election approaches. Candidates who wish to use roadside signage must ensure that their signs are placed on private property outside the right‑of‑way, comply with size and spacing limits, and obtain the necessary permits if located within 660 feet of an NHS route.
As the election cycle continues, NDOT will likely continue to enforce these rules and remove any signs that violate the statutes. Candidates and supporters should contact their local NDOT district office for guidance and to confirm that their signage complies with all applicable regulations.
NDOT’s guidance cites Nevada Revised Statutes 405.020, 405.030 and 405.110, along with Nevada Administrative Code 410.440. These laws forbid any advertising sign—including campaign signs—within state‑controlled right‑of‑way on numbered rural routes, country roads, and many city streets. The rule applies to freeways, interstates, expressways, highways, and many city streets. In urban areas, the right‑of‑way typically covers sidewalks and a clear distance on either side of the street.
If a sign is found in the prohibited zone, NDOT crews will remove it and usually bring it to the nearest maintenance station. Sign owners or their representatives can then retrieve the sign. NDOT says it will try to remove signs without damaging them, keeping them for 30 days before disposal.
The department also referenced federal and state Highway Beautification Acts, which limit any sign on private property within 660 feet of a National Highway System (NHS) route. NHS routes include all freeways, interstates, expressways, most U.S. routes, and several state routes, including some city streets. For political signs adjacent to or within 660 feet of an NHS highway, NDOT requires compliance with federal spacing, size, zoning and lighting rules and a permit from the appropriate NDOT district office. A non‑refundable $200 fee will be charged for the permit.
NDOT clarified that a permit is not required for small political signs measuring 4 feet by 8 feet or smaller placed on private property near an NHS route.
General requirements for signs near state‑highway right‑of‑way or NHS routes include: no distraction to drivers, no resemblance to official traffic signs, and no obstruction of oncoming traffic. Timing rules also apply. For signs on private property adjacent to a state highway, NDOT says political signs may be erected no more than 60 days before a primary election and must be removed within 30 days after the primary. Signs for candidates or ballot questions appearing on the general election ballot do not have to be removed until 30 days after the general election.
Local governments can impose additional criteria for city and county roads; those restrictions must be checked locally.
NDOT provided contact information for questions about state‑highway right‑of‑way. In Clark County, the District I Office in Las Vegas can be reached at (702) 385‑6540. Tonopah’s District office is at (775) 482‑2300; the District II Office in Sparks is at (775) 834‑8300; Winnemucca’s office is at (775) 623‑8000; the District III Office in Elko is at (775) 777‑2700; and the Ely office is at (775) 289‑1700. For further information, the Right‑of‑Way Division can be contacted at (775) 888‑7480 in northern Nevada or (702) 385‑6540 in southern Nevada.
NDOT’s reminder follows a series of reports and local complaints about campaign signs that were placed on or near state highways. In October, a news outlet noted that improperly placed signs would be removed by maintenance crews and that owners could retrieve their signs by coordinating with local district offices. In May, a local station highlighted that political signs less than 4 by 8 feet could be posted on private property next to state roads no more than 60 days before an election.
The department’s enforcement policy is designed to prevent safety hazards. Signs that distract drivers, block the view of oncoming traffic, or could be blown into the roadway by wind are considered potential risks. NDOT’s removal process is intended to mitigate these hazards while allowing campaign owners to recover their signs.
Candidates and campaign staff are advised to review local ordinances in addition to NDOT regulations before installing any political signage. Failure to comply with the statutes and NDOT rules can result in removal of the sign and potential fines if a permit is required and not obtained.
The reminder underscores the importance of adhering to state and federal regulations as the November general election approaches. Candidates who wish to use roadside signage must ensure that their signs are placed on private property outside the right‑of‑way, comply with size and spacing limits, and obtain the necessary permits if located within 660 feet of an NHS route.
As the election cycle continues, NDOT will likely continue to enforce these rules and remove any signs that violate the statutes. Candidates and supporters should contact their local NDOT district office for guidance and to confirm that their signage complies with all applicable regulations.
