MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (April 11, 2024) – Berkeley County Clerk Anthony J. Petrucci is urging candidates for elected public office and their campaign supporters to adhere to state Division of Highways rules for placing signs near roadways and to respect the rights of private property owners.
“We recognize that a candidate’s campaign signs help raise public awareness of the upcoming elections in 2024, but we absolutely do not condone the placement of signs that cause a public safety hazard,” Petrucci said.
With that in mind, Petrucci is urging candidates and their supporters to please abide by the following DOH rules when displaying campaign materials:
- Signs or posters cannot be placed on or above a Division of Highways right of way, which normally stretches 20 feet from the center line of a public road. Distances do vary, however, so please contact the West Virginia Division of Highways if you are uncertain (304) 558-3505.
- Signs or posters near rights of way must comply with outdoor advertising statute in Chapter 17, Article 19, Section 1 of the West Virginia Code, and must also conform to any municipal ordinances regulating outdoor advertising.
- Signs or posters cannot be placed on Division of Highways traffic control signs nor block such signs, and cannot obscure the view of any connecting road or intersection.
- Signs or posters cannot be placed on elements in nature, such as rocks or trees.
- Avoid placing materials on fence posts, utility poles, or other stationary objects on private property without consent of the property owners.
- Political overhead banners cannot be erected over any municipal, county, state, or federal highway or right of wa
In the City of Martinsburg, the right of way is most easily identified as greenery between the sidewalk and the roadway or parking lot. It also includes street sign poles, utility poles, trees and parking meters.
Signs may never be placed on City, County, State or Federally-owned property and placement of signs in rights of way will result in the signs being confiscated, by either the West Virginia Department of Highways or City of Martinsburg Public Works Department.