INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is urging Hoosiers to ensure political campaign and commercial advertising signs are placed strictly outside state-owned right-of-way areas.
Under Indiana Code 9-21-4-6, placing campaign signs or advertising on state-owned or state-maintained property is prohibited year-round. State officials emphasize that keeping these areas clear is essential for driver visibility and overall highway safety.
Prohibited Zones and Boundary Guidelines
INDOT reminds property owners and campaign staff that signs are strictly forbidden in the following areas:
- Intersections and interchanges
- Rights-of-way parallel to highways, including roadside areas, shoulders, and medians
In locations where the official right-of-way line is not clearly marked, INDOT advises estimating boundaries behind utility poles, along fence lines, or behind the back of roadside ditches.
Sign Removal and Retrieval Process
INDOT maintenance crews will remove unpermitted signs encountered during routine roadside operations. Crews will also immediately clear specific signs that pose urgent safety hazards, such as those obstructing lines of sight or placed too close to active traffic lanes.
Signs removed by state personnel will be taken to the nearest INDOT district facility, where owners may claim them during standard business hours.
Hoosiers with questions or concerns regarding roadside signs can reach INDOT Customer Service online at indot4u.com or by calling 855-463-6848. Motorists can also track statewide traffic conditions and alerts using TrafficWise at 511in.org.
