WHY CAN'T I PUT MY GARAGE SALE SIGNS ON
OR OVER TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS OR SIGNALS?

 

Florida State Statute 316.077 prohibits installation of unauthorized signs, signals or markings. This Statute prohibits anyone from installing signs which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal. It further authorizes the agency having jurisdiction over the highway to remove any unauthorized sign with out notice.

In many cases, garage sale signs have been placed over pedestrian signal signs and push buttons. This blocks access to the button by pedestrians wishing to cross the street. If the pedestrian were struck by a vehicle, the person who placed the unauthorized sign could be liable for there injuries.

Garage sale signs have also been placed over various traffic control signs such as curve warning signs. If a vehicle were to miss a curve due to the obstructed curve sign, again the person who placed the unauthorized sign could be liable for the damages and injuries.

316.077 DISPLAY OF UNAUTHORIZED SIGN, SIGNALS OR MARKINGS

    1. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an limitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal.

    2. No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.

    3. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.

    4. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.


    HISTORY - s 1. ch. 71-135. s 1. ch. 76-31
    NOTE - Former s. 316.135