Ordinances

The following are prohibited in the right-of-way of all highways:

• Tilling or planting in right-of-way.
• Disposing of snow from private property onto highway.
• Removing dirt from right-of-way.
• Damaging ditch or highway by improper use of farm machinery thereon, and/or by farm animals.
• Permitting machinery to remain on right-of-way.
• Dumping garbage or refuse on right-of-way.
• Erecting structures on right-of-way (concrete drive extended to highway).
• Obstructing flow of water through drainage structure.
• Fences in right-of-way.
• Disposing of waste and sewage onto highway right-of-way.   
• Illegal signs placed upon the highway right-of-way, including advertising signs (see below). 
• Working on highway right-of-way without permit.
• Discharging tile onto right-of-way without permit.

The widths of right-of-ways vary greatly throughout the county. Assuming a constant right-of-way width is not correct in most instances. Detailed right-of-way information is available at our office at 211 E. Center Street in Juneau. Call 920-386-3650 with questions or contact the Highway Department via email.

Email the Highway Department

The Dodge County Highway Department, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, the Dodge County Safety Commission, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation would like to remind the citizens of Dodge County that it is illegal to place signs within the limits of any highway, roadway, or street according to Wisconsin Statute Sections 86.19(1) and 86.191 and Dodge County Land Use Code Section 4.6.4.B.2. without the express written consent of the Dodge County Highway Department, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, or township, village, or city having jurisdiction of the roadway.

County and state highways may be delineated by yellow R/W (right-of-way) markers, and if not, you must come to the Dodge County Highway Department office to look up the exact width of right-of-way at a specific location as the right-of-way can vary. Also remember if you are going to put signs on private property, you need to get the owner’s permission. No sign is permitted on any highway right-of-way without written permission of the authority maintaining the highway. These signs include, but are not limited to: rummage sales, political, for sale by owner or realtor, etc.

Many times these signs - often large ones - are placed in vision areas at intersections which could easily cause someone to be injured in a collision with a vehicle that is not seen because of a sign. As a general rule, the highway right-of-way in rural areas includes the pavement, shoulders, both ditches, and back slopes to natural ground. Yard and lawn signs on private property are generally legal. No sign can be attached to any official sign, including the post.

Dodge County Highway Department personnel will remove and dispose of any signs which violate these provisions on state and county highways, with towns, villages, and cities doing the same on roads and streets under their jurisdiction. Owners will be referred to the Sheriff’s Office or local police for the issuance of a citation and a fine of between $25 and $100 per Wisconsin Statutes.

Private mailboxes are allowed in the highway easement/right-of-way; however, they must be safe and functional. Many residents want unique, decorative installations. Some of these elaborate designs can be very dangerous and are not allowable in the highway easement/right-of-way.

Safely installing, maintaining, and providing access to these mailboxes is the responsibility of the resident. Private mailboxes are allowed in the highway easement/right-of-way; however, they must be safe and functional. Many residents want unique, decorative installations. Some of these elaborate designs can be very dangerous and are not allowable in the highway easement/right-of-way.

Safely installing, maintaining, and providing access to these mailboxes is the responsibility of the resident. 

Mailbox Requirements

Should be U.S. Postal Service-approved mailboxes. These mailboxes are designed to be safe and functional.

Supports: The Postal Service requires that the bottom of the box be 42 to 48 inches above ground level. The following are recommended standards for supports which ensure that they will break away on impact:

• Pipes should be 1-1/2 inch inside diameter or less.
• Square wood supports should not be larger than 4 inches by 4 inches nominal. Round wood posts should not be larger than 4 inches in diameter.
• Metal channel posts should not weigh more than 2 pounds per foot.
• Imbed supports no more than 24 inches into the ground and do not imbed them in concrete.
• Do not use anchor plates with metal posts. Anti-twist flanges are acceptable as long as they do not project more than 10 inches into the ground. These should be attached to the metal post or pipe with 2-3/8 inch (nominal) muffler clamps. The Federal Highway Administration has published Accepted Safety Hardware. For more information contact the State Division of the Federal Highway Administration.