Permits: Petty Misdemeanor

(a)The Department may issue written permits, as provided in this Chapter, authorizing the permittee to do any of the following acts:

(1)Making an opening or excavation for any purpose in a highway.

(2)Place, change or renew an encroachment.

(3)Place or display in, under, or over any highway, any kind of advertising sign or device. Any such sign or device placed or displayed contrary to the provisions of this Section is a public nuisance, and the Department may immediately remove it.

(4)Plant, remove, cut, cut down, injure, or destroy any tree, shrub, plant, or flower growing within any highway.

(5)Place in, under or over any highway, and perform routine maintenance and emergency repairs on utility equipment and facilities.

(b)Any person who does any of the acts specified in this Section, without the authority of a valid permit, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.