Protesting Rights

Banners on State-Maintained Roadways or Structures

It is NCDOT’s Policy not to hang banners regardless of the nature of the banner across state-maintained roadways. NCDOT fully supports the constitutional rights of free speech and expression as provided by law. NCDOT also recognizes that we must adhere to the laws established by Congress and the North Carolina Legislature. These rules and laws prohibit advertising in the right-of-way.

If NCDOT finds a banner placed in the NCDOT right of way, we will determine whether it poses an imminent hazard or needs to be removed immediately. Banners that are not considered imminent hazards will be addressed by notifying the owner and giving them a chance to retrieve their property.

Banners that pose a direct and imminent hazard to the public violate state statutes 136-91 and will be removed immediately. Banners displaying derogatory messages and/or symbols will also be removed without delay. Such banners violate state law and pose a risk to public safety or disrupt the peace. NCDOT will dispose of these banners in the same manner as other debris removed from the rights of way. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Banners that are poorly secured and could fall into traffic or other transportation areas such as navigable waters, railroads, and shared-use paths.

2. Banners that are designed to resemble official traffic control devices in violation of G.S. 136-32.1.

3. Banners that use language, messages, or symbols that are widely considered hateful, contain slurs, or incite violence.

*Excerpted from the NC Department of Transportation