AB 583

With certain exceptions, current law prohibits any sign from being placed

within a highway right-of-way unless the sign is necessary for the guidance or

warning of traffic. Any sign placed in violation of this prohibition must be removed

by the authority responsible for maintaining the highway. The Department of

Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintenance of highway rights-of-way on

highways under its jurisdiction and may remove or require removal of encroaching

structures and objects, including unauthorized signs, within the highway

right-of-way.

This bill allows a city, village, town, or county (political subdivision) to retain

and maintain a community welcoming sign within the right-of-way of a highway if

the sign was erected prior to, and in existence on, the effective date of the bill. If DOT

removed, or directed or advised the political subdivision to remove, the sign after

December 31, 2009, DOT must replace or reconstruct the sign on the same site.