It is the policy of ARDOT to allow, by Restore Property Visibility Policy (RPVP) permits, the mowing, bush hogging, cutting, trimming, pruning, and/or selective removal of vegetation on State Highway rights of way to restore the visibility of property and signs from State Highways. This policy permits landowners to return the vegetation height of highway right of way to that of the landscape of the adjoining property. This policy also permits sign owners to restore visibility which has diminished since the original erection of the signs.
This policy for signs applies to the visibility of legal, off-premise signs, both conforming and nonconforming, and not to illegal signs. RPVP permits will not be issued in relation to illegal signs, or to sign owners with other illegal or abandoned signs.
An RPVP requires proof of liability insurance with a limit of at least $1 million. It also requires a performance bond in the amount of at least $1,000 per site issued or counter-signed by a resident Arkansas agent, or in the form of a cashier’s check. In lieu of a performance bond for each site, a standing performance bond in the amount equal to at least $1,000 per site up to a maximum of $50,000 may be posted. In addition, an application fee (non-refundable) made payable to the Arkansas Department of Transportation in the amount of $160 per site designated for vegetation control is also required. If a Highway Access Safety Plan is also required with the permit, within thirty (30) calendar days from completion of work on a RPVP permit, the Permittee is also required to deliver a fee made payable to the Arkansas Department of Transportation in the amount of $250 per day for each day the ARDOT inspector reported to the site.
The permit is issued through the Permit Officer for the District in which the RPVP permit is requested. The names and telephone numbers for the Permit Officers for each District may be found by clicking the Permit Officers link below.