(1) Signs promoting political candidates or issues shall be placed on private property only and cannot be placed without the permission of the property owner.

(2) Political signs shall not:

(a) be placed in the public right-of-way or on public property;

(b) be attached on public right-of-way fences;

(c) obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators or create a traffic hazard;

(d) be located within 500 feet of an intersection at grade along a primary highway, or within 500 feet of an interchange or rest area on the interstate highway system as measured from the beginning of the pavement widening for the interchange;

(e) be erected or maintained prior to 90 days before the applicable election.

(3) Political signs must be removed within 30 days following the applicable election. The department shall notify the landowner of illegal signs which are not removed within 30 days. The signs shall be removed by the department 24 hours after notification to the landowner. The department shall retain removed political signs for five working days after notification of removal before their destruction. The sign owner may retrieve the signs during this period.  

(4) Political signs do not require permits and are not subject to permit fees.