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    ​Lawn Signs and Outdoor Advertising Control

    PennDOT is responsible for areas around State highways in addition to the roadway itself. Both the highway right-of-way (real property rights obtained for a transportation-related facility), and additional land beside the highway on controlled routes (indicated here) are managed in order to maintain safe travel and uphold applicable regulations.

    Care should be taken before lawn signs are placed near a roadway. Political campaign signs, real estate or "For Sale" signs, yard sale signs, and similar devices cannot be placed within the highway right-of-way, in median areas, or on light posts, guide rail, or other traffic control devices. Such signs can distract drivers, block sight distance at intersections, or turn into litter. They should be placed on private property instead.

    Signs within or along the highway right-of-way that do not comply with the State and Federal requirements are subject to removal by Department staff without notice. When possible, PennDOT aims to cooperate with sign owners by sending a removal notice and holding removed signs for at least 30 days for retrieval.

    Please find more information below and in the Outdoor Advertising Control Outreach Guide linked on the right side of this page.

    Flowchart for Off-Premise Signs (PDF)

    ​The Federal Highway Beautification Act (HBA) of 1965 mandates effective control of outdoor advertising in areas adjacent to the Interstate System and the enhanced National Highway System. If PennDOT does not enforce these regulations, the Commonwealth is at risk of losing of up to ten percent of funding received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

    The State Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971 (the Act) and its regulations (PA Code Chapter 445) define how the HBA's requirements are administered in Pennsylvania.  

    The State Highway Law includes provisions in Section 425 prohibiting the placement of signs and banners within the right-of-way.

    ​The owner of a sign that is visible from one of the State's controlled routes may need to obtain an outdoor advertising device permit from PennDOT and pay an annual fee for it to legally remain. Individuals can create an account and submit a permit application through the Highway Beautification Management System (HBMS).  HBMS provides different applications depending on the type of sign. The Outdoor Advertising Control Outreach Guide linked on the right side of this page and the HBMS user guide can help sign owners understand the application process and which type should be indicated.

    Paper applications may be mailed in as well in place of using HBMS.

    One of the following forms should be used based on the device type:

    • RW-744 – On-premise outdoor advertising devices along interstates
    • RW-745 and RW-745I – Off-premise outdoor advertising devices
    • RW-746 – Directional, Official, Public Service, and Service Club/Religious Notice outdoor advertising devices

    The completed form should be sent to the District OAC Manager whose contact information is provided through the link on the right side of this page.