As most citizens are aware, there are numerous regulations and policies aimed at keeping North Carolina safe and beautiful.

Political candidates and committees will be doing their share if they instruct their campaign workers not to place signs on public property. And, they will be helping save and protect citizens lives. Some of the signs can block motorists view of oncoming traffic which could result in a serious or even fatal accident.

State statute (G.S. 136-32) entitled, "Other Than Official Signs Prohibited" prohibits all but official highway signs on State highway rights-of-way. In addition, the North Carolina Board of Transportation several years ago adopted an ordinance prohibiting the placement of advertising signs within highway rights of way.

The Division of Highway field employees are instructed to remove all signs illegally placed within state highway rights-of-way. Such signs are taken to local maintenance offices for storage until they are claimed.

Most counties and cities have ordinances regulating the placement and removal of signs within public rights-of-way. Some issue citations and assess a penalty for each sign as a separate offense.

You are urged to contact each local government to determine its exact laws. The cost of the signs and the bad publicity of signs in violation may be an unwelcome burden to your committee.
 
 
 
 

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Issued by the Campaign Reporting Office