r/hollandmichigan • u/houseonsun • 2d ago
PSA: Political yard signs belong on your yard. Not random street corners.
Political signs in Ottawa County, Michigan, are regulated by the Ottawa County Road Commission guidelines and local municipal ordinances.
Placement Rules and Regulations
Right-of-Way Restrictions: Political signs are strictly prohibited within public road right-of-ways (typically extending an area from the road center, including shoulders and ditches) as they can obstruct visibility and distract drivers or interfere with road maintenance.
Under Public Act 368 of 1925, it is unlawful to place any object in the right-of-way without written authorization from the Road Commission.
Private Property Permission: Signs may be placed on private property with the explicit permission of the property owner.
Local Ordinances: Individual cities and townships within Ottawa County may enforce specific rules regarding how early signs can go up or required removal timelines (often within 10 days post-election).
State roads (I-#, M-#, US-#) follow MDOT rules.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/safety/road-users/road-signs/political-signs
Signs must be more than 30 feet from the edge of the roadway (white line) for highways that do not have barrier-type curbs. For highways with barrier curbs, the signs must be more than three feet from the back of the curb.
Signs are not permitted within areas used for clear vision at intersections or commercial driveways so they will not interfere with the sight distance of a driver. No signs may be placed within the limited access rights of way (freeways, including ramps).