Does the MUTCD apply to private roads and parking lots, such as at shopping malls?
Yes. The meaning of the phrase “open to public travel” as it applies to applicability of the MUTCD is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR 655.603(a) as including “toll roads and roads within shopping centers, parking lot areas, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business and/or recreation facilities that are privately owned but where the public is allowed to travel without access restrictions.” This definition was added to the CFR in 2006. Additionally, in Section 1A.07 of the MUTCD, States are encouraged to adopt Section 15-116 of the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC), which states that “No person shall install or maintain in any area of private property used by the public, a sign, signal, pavement marking or other device intended to regulate, warn, or guide traffic unless it conforms with the State manual and specifications adopted under Section 15-104 of the UVC.” (Section 15-104 is the UVC provision under which a State makes the MUTCD the legal requirement for traff
