MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation

By: Senator(s) Scoper

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 55-13-33 AND 55-13-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM THE SIGN, ADVERTISEMENT AND BUILDING RESTRICTIONS IN PROXIMITY OF OR ADJACENT TO THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY; TO EXEMPT CONSTRUCTION OF OR IMPROVEMENTS TO CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS BASED ON A BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2000; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 55-13-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-13-33. No advertisement or advertising structure shall be erected, constructed, installed, maintained or operated within one thousand (1,000) feet of the outside boundary of the Natchez Trace Parkway outside the limits of any municipality except as follows:

(a) Historic markers erected by duly constituted and authorized public authorities;

(b) Highway markers and signs erected or caused to be erected by the Mississippi State Highway Department or other authorized authorities in accordance with the law; and

(c) Directional and official signs or notices erected and maintained by public officers or agencies pursuant to and in accordance with lawful authorization for the purpose of carrying out an official duty or responsibility.

SECTION 2. Section 55-13-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-13-35. It shall be unlawful to construct or erect any structure or advertisement sign of more than three (3) stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height, whichever is lesser, within one thousand (1,000) feet of the outside boundary of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Such restrictions on any structure or advertisement sign shall apply notwithstanding that such area is located inside or outside a municipality and notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary. * * * This section shall not apply to any building in existence on July 1, 1988. Construction of and improvements to churches and schools, based on building permits issued prior to July 1, 2000, are exempted from the application of this section.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.