Makeshift memorials on the sides of roads where deadly crashes have occurred cannot be a distraction or a danger to other motorists, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors declared by action.
On April 28 supervisors voted 4-1 – Channce Condit voting no – to restrict the size and content of memorials erected by family and friends of crash victims on Stanislaus County roads. The board also gave authority to Public Works Director David Leamon to take action to enforce violations.
Two Public Works policies were approved — one establishing rules for roadside memorials and another strengthening enforcement of encroachments in the public right of way.
The policy allows small, non-permanent items like flowers, plaques and crosses as long as they don’t interfere with traffic. Such memorials would have to be removed in 60 days while the county may allow inconspicuous memorials for a longer time provided they are not of a safety concern.
If the county considers any memorial is unsafe, it will be posted with a notice to remove it within 10 days.
“If a family didn’t remove it (after 60 days), we’ll bring it back to our yard and store for 30 or 60 days and allow people the opportunity to come pick up their memorial,” said Leamon.
Families seeking a longer term tribute could continue to participate in the county’s Roadside Memorial Sign Program, created in 2020 and modeled after a similar Caltrans program. The standardized signs may remain in place for up to seven years with an encroachment permit.
“We understand the need to grieve and to have a spot to go to; it just needs to be not a distraction for the traveling public.”
Banned are flammable items, candles, glass and mirrors that could start grass fires, or sharp objects, large furniture and small structures housing memorials.
The proper step for placing memorials is to contact the county. Memorials cannot be set up if they are in the way of maintenance or construction areas.
Leamon said he has seen Adirondack chairs set up at one memorial and noted the county doesn’t want people sitting on the side of the road where a loved one was killed.
“It’s just not safe.”
Supervisors will also approved a Public Works Encroachment Policy aimed at improving enforcement of rules governing temporary and permanent obstructions in the county right of way. Public Works oversees more than 1,505 miles of county roads and says unauthorized encroachments — including parked vehicles, temporary structures, landscaping, trees and stored materials — have increasingly created congestion and safety issues.
