Sign Rules/Regulations

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No political sign can be placed within state highway right of ways

As you conduct your campaign for public office please keep in mind that it is illegal to place signs within the right-of-way of state highways. State highways include not only the well numbered rural routes but many country roads and city streets. The provisions of Nevada Revised Statute 405.020, 405.030 and 405.110 and Nevada Administrative Code 410.440 prevent the placement of any advertising signs, including political signs within state highway right of way or roads which are owned or controlled by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). In addition, the federal and state “Highway Beautification Acts” limit the placement of any sign on private property if that sign is located within 660 feet of a National Highway System route. NHS routes include all freeways, interstate, expressways, most U.S. routes and some state routes including several city streets (see maps).

Political Signs and Your Highways Informational Brochure

NDOT has previously published several notices regarding the erection of political signs. This pamphlet is intended to summarize NDOT’s enforcement of the laws on political signs and supplements the more detailed regulation. The term political sign includes any temporary or portable display or device advertising for or against a candidate for public office or a political party or political point of view.

Rules for all state highways

No signs are permitted in state highway right of way. This includes the right of way along freeways, interstate, expressways, highways and many city streets. NDOT’s right of way in urban areas often includes any sidewalks and some clear distance on either side of the street.

NDOT employees will remove signs erected in the highway right of way and usually take them to the nearest maintenance station. In most cases owners of the sign or their representatives can drop by the station to get their signs. NDOT will try to remove the signs so as not to damage them. Removed signs will be retained for 30 days and then disposed of.

If you have a question about the right of way for state highways, please call the nearest NDOT district office. In Clark County call the District I Office in Las Vegas at (702) 385-6540, in Tonopah call (775) 482-2300, in northwestern Nevada call the District II Office in Sparks at (775) 834-8300, in Winnemucca call (775) 623-8000, in northeastern Nevada call the District III Office in Elko at (775) 777-2700, and in Ely call (775) 289-1700.

Additional rules for the National Highway System (NHS)

Political signs adjacent to and within 660 feet of any NHS highway must meet federal spacing, size, zoning, and lighting requirements and a permit must be obtained from the appropriate NDOT District Office, except as noted below. A non-refundable fee of $200.00 will be charged for this permit. The following highways are part of the NHS and are under federal and state regulation: IR-11, IR-15, IR-215, IR-515, IR-80, IR-580, U.S. 6, U.S. 50, U.S. 50A, U.S. 93, U.S. 93 BUS, U.S. 95, U.S. 95A, U.S. 395, U.S. 395Alt., SR 88, SR 146, SR 147, SR 159, SR 160, SR 163, SR 172, SR 173, SR 225, SR 289, SR 318, SR 360, SR 376, SR 430, SR 439, SR 445, SR 535, SR 564, SR 573, SR 582, SR 589, SR 593, SR 595, SR 599, RM10004, RM11322, SR 612, SR 613, SR 647, SR 648, SR 653, SR 659, SR 667, SR 673, SR 720,William St. (FRCC11), Eastern Ave./Civic Center (FRCL53), Lake Mead Blvd. (FRCL57), E. Jennings Way (FREL17), Vista Blvd. (FRWA08), Del Monte Ln.-Neil Rd. (FRWA44), Damonte Ranch Pkwy. (FRWA49), Sparks Blvd. (FRWA53), Wells Ave. (FRWA54), Oddie Blvd. (FRWA58), 4th St. (FRWA62), FRWA66, FRWA67, Harry Reid Int'l Airport Connector (SR171), Matley Ln. (FRWA51), Durham Rd. (FRWA50).

Political signs erected on private property that is adjacent to a state highway may be erected no more than 60 days before a primary election and must be removed within 30 days after the primary election. Signs for candidates or questions appearing on the general election ballot do not have to be removed until 30 days after the general election.

A permit is not required for small political signs (4’ x 8’ or smaller) that are placed on private property near the NHS.

General Rules

The following rules apply to all signs located near state highway right of way including NHS routes.

Political signs must not distract drivers.
The sign cannot resemble official traffic signs.
The sign cannot block view of oncoming traffic.
Political signs erected on private property that is adjacent to a state highway may be erected no more than 60 days before a primary election and must be removed within 30 days after the primary election. Signs for candidates or questions appearing on the general election ballot do not have to be removed until 30 days after the general election.

Apart from state requirements, local governmental agencies can and do have varying criteria regarding placement of political signs on city and county roads. These local restrictions vary greatly among the various entities and must be checked locally.

For further information, or if you have any questions please call the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Right of Way Division. In northern Nevada, (775) 888-7480 and in southern Nevada, (702) 385-6540.