Across central Maine, more and more political signs are popping up in yards and along the region’s roads.

But what are the specific rules governing sign placement? And what happens if signs are tampered with?

Here are some key things to know.

WHERE CAN I PUT SIGNS?

Different rules apply to signs on private and public property.

Signs in the public right of way are prohibited from being placed on traffic control signs or devices, public utility poles or fixtures, rotary traffic islands, trees in the public right of way, control-of-access areas —areas where access is limited or prohibited— or medians less than 6 feet wide.

To avoid causing traffic hazards, signs in the public right of way cannot be placed along interstates, within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the interstate system or in a place that can be seen from an interstate highway.

In general, the Maine Department of Transportation will remove signs on either public or private property where they might block a driver’s sight line or cause traffic hazards.

Signs on private property must be outside of the right of way on public ways; how far that is depends on the road. People can contact their MaineDOT region office for more information.

Temporary signs on public property bearing the same or similar messages — like those supporting political candidates — must be placed at least 30 feet from one another.

Signs cannot be placed on public property within 250 feet of a polling location on election day.

WHEN CAN I PUT SIGNS UP?

Signs may be posted in rights of way six weeks before a primary or general election, and they must be removed in the week after the election.

Temporary signs can be placed within the public right of way for as long six weeks from Jan. 1 to June 30 and from July 1 to Dec. 31.

Signs on private property are not subject to any time restrictions.

HOW BIG CAN THEY BE?

Signs on private property are limited to 50 square feet. Temporary signs in the public right of way are limited to 4 feet by 8 feet.

Signs in the public way must be labeled with the name and address of the individual or organization that placed the sign and the date it was placed there.

Kelly Weissenfels, who is town manager and town clerk in Litchfield, said having contact information on signs is helpful, because if signs are placed improperly or are not collected after elections, those people can be alerted.

“I think (the rules) are broad enough to allow for plenty of freedom in placing signs,” Weissenfels said.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SIGNS ARE TAMPERED WITH?

Removing, damaging or disturbing a sign placed in the public right of way without authorization is a civil violation with a fine of up to $250.

Stealing a sign from private property is considered theft, a class E crime, while intentionally damaging or destroying the property of another would be considered criminal mischief, a class D crime.

Valerie Hanson, Pittston’s town clerk, said the town had to remove a political sign from a town road last year due to inappropriate content. Hanson said she’s surprised the town doesn’t receive more reports of people tampering with others’ political signs after hearing stories of theft and damage to signs in other towns.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

For more information about sign placement rules and town-specific restrictions, contact your local election official, who is generally a city or town clerk. More information about specific Maine laws regarding signs is available on the Maine State Legislature website.