text: stealing a stop sign, is that in the penal code? what section?   stealing anything is by definition, stealing. you must get permission to have the sign in your posession or you are breaking the law. more particularly, federal law according to the national highway safety administration, because you are tampering with a safety device installed by the government.  if it is an all way, or 4 way stop, you could be in alot of trouble, because those are regulated directly by nasha, making it a federal crime to "remove from the placement of sign, where directive is not visible to the driver approaching said sign."  this law also applies to other signs, like school signs, pedestrian crossings, and highway directions. advertisements are governed by those who own them.