Chapter 173 — Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act

173.01 Declaration of Policy Minnesota regulates outdoor advertising near highways to protect scenic beauty while allowing legitimate business signs. 173.02 Definitions Defines key terms used in the outdoor advertising chapter, including types of signs, roads, and regulated areas. 173.025 Municipal Identification Sign Cities can put identification signs on state highway right-of-way only with written permission from the transportation … 173.03 Road Advertising Permit Within Scenic Area A permit from the transportation commissioner is needed to place advertising signs within scenic areas along highways. 173.04 Scenic Area; Scenic Easement; Federal Funds The commissioner can designate scenic areas and acquire scenic easements to limit advertising along highways. 173.05 Acquisition of Property The commissioner can acquire property or rights to control advertising along highways using eminent domain if needed. 173.06 Rules Relating to Road Advertising The transportation commissioner can make rules about road advertising permits and sign placement near highways. 173.07 Road Advertising Permit Application, Renewal Describes how to apply for and renew a road advertising permit. 173.08 Excluded Road Advertising Devices Lists types of signs that do not need a permit, such as official road signs, on-property business signs, and political … 173.081 Directional Sign Allows directional signs for businesses not visible from the highway, with specific size and placement rules. 173.0845 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.085 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.0851 State Energy City The city of Chaska is designated as the state energy city of Minnesota. 173.086 Recycling Center Sign Allows signs directing people to recycling centers, with specific rules about size, number, and placement. 173.09 Violations, Remedies The commissioner can remove illegal signs and recover the removal costs from the sign owner. 173.10 Conflict of Laws This chapter overrides any local or state law that conflicts with it regarding signs in scenic areas. 173.11 Chapter Violations, Misdemeanor Violating the outdoor advertising rules is a misdemeanor. 173.12 Applicability This chapter applies only to signs visible from highways, not to signs that cannot be seen from the road. 173.13 Permit to Advertise Along Interstate and Primary Highways A permit is needed for advertising signs along interstate and primary highways outside of cities. 173.14 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.15 Prohibited Advertising Devices Lists advertising devices that are not allowed along interstate and primary highways. 173.155 Changeable Electronic Variable Message Signs Sets rules for electronic changeable message signs, including brightness, size, and message timing. 173.16 Advertising Device in Business Area Advertising signs in business or commercial areas along interstate and primary highways must meet specific standards. 173.17 Removal of Advertising Device; Compensation The commissioner can remove advertising signs that do not comply with the law, with compensation to the owner. 173.171 Vegetation Control; Visibility; Agreement Allows limited vegetation trimming by sign owners to keep their legal signs visible from the highway. 173.18 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.185 Agreement With Federal Government; Rules Minnesota can enter agreements with the federal government about highway sign control and adopt necessary rules. 173.19 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.20 Conflict of Laws State highway sign rules override any conflicting local laws for signs along interstate and primary highways. 173.21 Chapter Violations; Misdemeanor; Injunctive Relief Violating sign rules along interstate and primary highways is a misdemeanor. Courts can also order injunctions. 173.22 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.23 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.231 Fees; Proceeds to Trunk Highway Fund Fees collected for outdoor advertising permits go into the trunk highway fund. 173.24 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.25 Availability of Federal Aid Minnesota can receive federal aid for sign control along highways. 173.26 Exemption for Old Advertising Device in Business Area Older advertising signs in business areas that existed before the law may continue as legal nonconforming uses. 173.265 Outdoor Advertising Devices; Removal; Maintenance Sets rules for removing, maintaining, and repairing existing outdoor advertising signs. 173.27 Citation This chapter may be cited as the outdoor advertising regulation chapter. 173.31 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.32 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.33 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.34 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.35 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.36 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.37 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.38 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.39 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.40 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.41 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.42 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.43 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.44 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.45 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.46 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.47 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.48 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.49 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.50 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.51 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.52 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.53 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 173.54 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect.