Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Oklahoma Statewide Rule

Oklahoma Bans Political Signs in Highway Right-of-Way (69 O.S. 1208)

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Oklahoma (2026)

Key Facts

Governing statute
69 O.S. Section 1208(b)
Penalty
Misdemeanor; each day separate offense
Enforcing agency
Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation
Where prohibited
State/federal highway right-of-way
Private property
Not restricted by this statute
Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

Oklahoma law makes it unlawful to place any sign, including a campaign sign, on or overhanging a state or federal highway right-of-way. Such signs are a public nuisance that the Transportation Commission may summarily remove, and each day the sign stands is a separate misdemeanor.

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, maintain or operate any gasoline pump, driveway canopy, building, sign, fence, post, or any thing or structure on or overhanging any right-of-way, or upon or overhanging any street occupied by a designated state or federal highway, and the construction or maintaining of any such thing or structure on or overhanging any federal or state highway shall constitute a public nuisance, which may be summarily abated by the Commission or its officers, agents, servants and employees in the manner provided in this article.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under 69 O.S. Section 1208(b), no person may construct or maintain any sign on or overhanging the right-of-way of a designated state or federal highway; doing so constitutes a public nuisance the Transportation Commission may summarily abate. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation removes campaign and advertising signs from medians, ditches, bridges, and overpasses, without notice. Section 1211 makes the violation a misdemeanor, and each day a sign remains is a separate offense. The statute does not restrict political signs placed on private property with the owner's consent.

Violations & Penalties

Placing a sign in a state or federal highway right-of-way is a misdemeanor under 69 O.S. Section 1211, with each day it remains counting as a separate offense; ODOT crews may remove offending signs summarily and without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a campaign sign on a highway median or ditch?
No. 69 O.S. Section 1208(b) bars any sign on or overhanging a state or federal highway right-of-way, including medians, ditches, bridges, and overpasses. ODOT removes them and each day is a separate misdemeanor.
Are political signs on my own yard legal in Oklahoma?
Yes. Section 1208 reaches only the highway right-of-way. It does not restrict political signs placed on private property with the owner's permission.
Who removes illegally placed signs?
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation summarily removes signs from state rights-of-way, without notice, under the Transportation Commission's abatement authority in 69 O.S. Section 1208(b).

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.