Items Prohibited in Right-of-Way

Political and Advertising Signs Prohibited on Highway Right-of-Way

The following items are prohibited in the right-of-way of all highways:

• Plowing into right-of-way.

• Disposing of snow from private property onto highway.

• Removing dirt from right-of-way.

• Damaging ditch or highway by improper use of farm machinery thereon, and/or by farm animals.

• Permitting machinery to remain on right-of-way.

• Dumping garbage or refuse on right-of-way.

• Erecting structures on right-of-way (concrete drive extended to highway).

• Obstructing flow of water through drainage structure.

• Fences in right-of-way.

• Disposing of waste and sewage onto highway right-of-way.

• Illegal signs placed upon the highway right-of-way, including advertising signs (see below).

• Working on highway right-of-way without permit.

• Discharging tile onto right-of-way.

The widths of right-of-ways vary greatly throughout the county.  Assuming a constant right-of-way width is not correct in most instances.  Detailed right-of-way information is available at our office at 211 E. Center Street in Juneau.

Political & Advertising Signs Prohibited on Highway Right-of-Way

It has come to the attention of the Dodge County Highway Department, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, the Dodge County Safety Commission, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation that citizens have been placing signs within the limits of Dodge County highways including state and county highways, town roads, and city and village streets.

These jurisdictions and the Dodge County Safety Commission would like to remind the citizens of Dodge County that it is illegal to place signs within the limits of any highway, roadway, or street according to Wisconsin Statute Sections 86.19(1) and 86.191 and Dodge County Land Use Code Section 4.6.2. without the express written consent of the Dodge County Highway Department, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, township, village, or city having jurisdiction of the roadway.  County and state highways may be delineated by yellow R/W (right-of-way) markers, and if not, you must come to the Dodge County Highway Department office to look up the exact width of right-of-way at a specific location as the right-of-way can vary.  Also remember if you are going to put signs on private property, you need to get the owner’s permission.  No sign is permitted on any highway right-of-way without written permission of the authority maintaining the highway.  These signs include, but are not limited to, signs for rummage sales, political, for sale by owner or realtor, roadside memorials, etc.  Many times these signs - often large ones - are placed in vision areas at intersections which could easily cause someone to be injured in a collision with a vehicle that is not seen because of a sign.

As a general rule, the highway right-of-way in rural areas includes the pavement, shoulders, both ditches, and back slopes to natural ground.  Yard and lawn signs on private property are generally legal.  No sign can be attached to any official sign, including the post.

Dodge County Highway Department personnel will remove and dispose of any signs which violate these provisions on state and county highways, with towns, villages, and cities doing the same on roads and streets under their jurisdiction. Owners will be referred to the Sheriff’s Department or local police for the issuance of a citation and a fine of between $25 and $100 per Wisconsin Statutes.

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