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Dunn County committee reiterates: no signs in highway right-of-way; explains political-sign rules
Summary
At its April 9 meeting, Dunn County Highway staff told the Highway Committee that Wisconsin statute 86.19 and Trans 201.16 prohibit placing most signs in the road right-of-way, and reminded members of rules for political signs on private property.
Dunn County Highway staff told the County Highway Committee on April 9 that Wisconsin law prohibits placing advertising and political signs in highway rights-of-way and cautioned members that such signs are a safety risk.
The committee was told that Wisconsin State Statute 86.19 bars signs in the road right-of-way and that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s rule Trans 201.16 allows political signs only on private property, subject to size and timing limits. A staff member summarized the DOT guidance in the meeting packet, saying signs “can be erected less than 45 days before the election, and it has to be removed within 7 days after the election,” and that the DOT website notes there has been a court case limiting enforcement of the timing requirement.
Why it matters: roadside signs placed inside a right-of-way can distract drivers and obstruct sightlines at intersections. Committee members and attendees described seeing clusters of small advertising and political signs near interstates and roundabouts that they said posed a visibility risk.
Committee discussion and public comment focused on enforcement and the county’s authority. Highway staff said the county has the ability to remove illegal signs placed within county right-of-way, and members noted political signs often reappear despite short removal windows. One attendee described seeing many small signs along an interstate and called them a distraction to drivers.
The packet material that the committee reviewed lists the DOT guidance and the relevant statute by citation; committee members said they would rely on those citations and county removal authority when complaints are received. No new enforcement ordinance was proposed at the meeting.
The county also discussed other roadside items raised by attendees—reflectors, seasonal decorations and temporary advertising—and clarified that maintained residential lawns are not subject to the county spraying program discussed elsewhere in the meeting.
The committee did not make new policy at the April 9 meeting; staff said they will continue to remove signs that are placed in the right-of-way and to pass along DOT guidance when citizens ask about political-sign placement.
