ARC 0149D

ARC 0149D

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT[761]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to traffic control device manual

    The Department of Transportation hereby rescinds Chapter 130, “Signing Manual,” and adopts a new Chapter 130, “Traffic Control Device Manual,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 307.12(1)“j.”

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 321.249 and 321.252 and 23 CFR §655.601.

Purpose and Summary

    This rulemaking repromulgates Chapter 130 in compliance with Executive Order 10. Chapter 130 implements Iowa Code section 321.252 and complies with federal law by formally adopting the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as the State’s manual and specifications governing the installation of traffic control devices. Traffic control devices include all signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

    This rulemaking adopts the 11th Edition of the national MUTCD that was published in December 2023, with two exceptions added for the use of portable STOP signs in school zones and law enforcement pictographs on memorial signs. This rulemaking also reflects the manual’s application not just to highways but to any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

    Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on December 10, 2025, as ARC 9775C. Public hearings were held on the following date:

     ?   December 30, 2025

    No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

    This rulemaking was adopted by the Department on February 17, 2026.

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 761—Chapter 11.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

    This rulemaking will become effective on April 22, 2026.

    The following rulemaking action is adopted:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 761—Chapter 130 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 130

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE MANUAL

761—130.1(307,321) Manual. The “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD), 11th Edition, dated December 2023, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, constitutes the manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices for use upon any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel within this state.

    130.1(1) The department makes the following exception to the MUTCD in Part 2, Section 2B.06, General Considerations, paragraph 10. In lieu of the sentence, “Portable or part-time STOP or YIELD signs shall not be used except for emergency and temporary traffic control zone purposes.”, the department adopts the following: “Portable or part-time YIELD signs shall not be used except for emergency and temporary traffic control zone purposes. Portable or part-time STOP signs may be used only in the following situations:

“1. When necessary for emergency and temporary traffic control zone purposes, or

“2. In school zones at appropriate school crosswalks.”

    130.1(2) The department makes the following exception to the MUTCD in Part 2, Section 2M.10, Memorial or Dedication Signing, paragraph 08. In lieu of the sentence, “Decorative or graphical elements, pictographs, logos, or symbols shall not be displayed on memorial or dedication signs.”, the department adopts the following: “Decorative or graphical elements, pictographs, logos, or symbols shall not be displayed on memorial or dedication signs, with the exception of an official pictograph representing an Iowa law enforcement agency.”

    130.1(3) Information regarding this chapter is available from: Traffic and Safety Bureau, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010. The MUTCD is available at www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 307.12(1)“j,” 321.249 and 321.252.

[Filed 2/25/26, effective 4/22/26]

[Published 3/18/26]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 3/18/26.