HB 523 -- Billboards

Sponsor:  Koller

This bill makes numerous revisions to Missouri's billboard laws.

SIGN SIZE

Stacked sign structures, existing on or before August 28, 1999,
along an interstate or primary route in an industrial or
commercial area will be considered legal nonconforming
structures and may be maintained as required by law.  The use of
cutouts or extensions on conforming or nonconforming signs will
be allowed.  Currently, stacked signs are treated as conforming
structures and allowed to be rebuilt once before they are
considered nonconforming.  Construction of stacked signs after
August 28, 1999, is currently prohibited.

SIGN SPACING

No sign can be erected within 1,000 feet of an existing sign on
all classes of highways on the National Highway System.

Existing signs failing to meet the standard will be deemed legal
nonconforming structures if the Federal Highway Administration
and Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission allow the
use of temporary cutouts and extensions on nonconforming signs.
If federal or state regulations prohibit use of temporary
cutouts or extensions on the signs, all signs erected prior to
the effective date of this legislation in compliance with
current law will be considered conforming for all purposes and
may be maintained or rebuilt in their present location.  The
current allowable distance between signs is 500 feet.

COMMERCIAL ZONING

The area across the highway from a business as included in the
commercial area, unless it also has commercial activity, is
excluded in unzoned commercial areas.  Current law allows signs
on the opposite side of the highway in these areas on two-lane
primary roads.

Signs cannot be built on commercially or industrially zoned
property unless a commercial business is located within 600 feet
of the sign.  Businesses in an unzoned commercial area must have
someone on the premises for at least 20 hours a week.

PERMITS

After the effective date of the bill, no new permits can be
issued unless the applicant voluntarily surrenders 2 or more
existing permits for each new permit until the number of permits
issued is 11,000 or less.  Owners of signs would be allowed to
remove signs and bank removal credits for future use.  The
Highways and Transportation Commission must publish an annual
report indicating the number of permitted off-premises
structures on all classes of highways on the National Highway
System.

VEGETATION

The right to a vegetation permit will be automatic, unless there
is a showing of clear and convincing proof that such a permit
will pose a risk to public safety.

The bill has an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:02 pm