(from news release)
Stearns County would like to remind property owners that placement of campaign signs and other unauthorized signs or objects in highway rights of way is illegal. In addition, campaign signs may not be placed on private property outside of the right-of-way limits without land owner’s consent.
Highway rights-of-way typically include the driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections.
Crews will remove any unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of the county’s local maintenance garages. County staff will hold the signs at the garage for a period of 30 days. During that time the owners may come to claim the signs.
Violation of this law is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties also may apply if the placement of such material contributes to a motor-vehicle crash and injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road.
