Stanislaus County supervisors on Tuesday are expected to consider adopting two Public Works policies — one establishing rules for roadside memorials and another strengthening enforcement of encroachments in the public right‑of‑way.

The proposed Roadside Memorial Policy would create the county’s first formal guidelines for temporary memorials placed along roadways to honor people killed in traffic collisions. Such displays — often crosses, flowers, photos or candles — have become more common and vary widely in size and duration.

County staff say the policy is intended to balance compassion for grieving families with public safety. The rules would set standards for placement and how long memorials may remain in the right‑of‑way. Public Works says unregulated displays can pose hazards or interfere with roadway operations.

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. Staff report no fiscal impact to the Roads and Bridges budget, noting that sign fees cover installation costs.

Supervisors will also consider adopting 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.

Although the county adopted planting setbacks in 2021, staff say enforcement has been inconsistent. The new policy would consolidate procedures across Public Works divisions, standardize enforcement and improve communication with the public. The Roads and Bridges budget is sufficient to administer the policy, according to the staff report.

Both proposals align with the Board of Supervisors’ priorities of delivering efficient public services and enhancing community infrastructure.