MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Compretta

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-23-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SIZE LIMITATIONS FOR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS ALONG CERTAIN STATE HIGHWAYS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-23-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-23-9. All signs as specified in subsections (d) and (e) of Section 49-23-5 that are erected or maintained in business areas shall comply with the following standards which are consistent with customary use in the outdoor advertising business in Mississippi:

(1) For sign structures erected after June 30, 2001, the maximum area for any one (1) sign face shall be six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet with a maximum height of fourteen (14) feet and a maximum length of forty-eight (48) feet, inclusive of any border and trim on the sign face, but excluding any embellishment on an cut-out extension of the sign face, the base or apron, supports and other structural members. For sign structures lawfully in existence on or before June 30, 2001, the maximum area for any one sign face shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet. Any embellishment on or cut-out extension of any sign face shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the square footage of the sign face.

(2) The area of any sign face shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle or circle, or combination thereof, which will encompass the entire sign.

(3) Sign structures erected after June 30, 2001, may contain one (1) or two (2) signs per face and may use only a side-by-side, back-to-back or V-type configuration, and may use no other configuration; however, if two (2) signs are used facing the same direction, the aggregate total area shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet. Sign structures lawfully in existence on or before June 30, 2001, may contain one (1) or two (2) signs per face and may be placed double-faced, back-to-back or V-type; however, if two (2) signs are used facing the same direction, the aggregate total area shall not exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.

(4) All illuminated outdoor signs or other advertising devices shall be so illuminated as to adhere to the customary practices of the industry in Mississippi at the time of passage of Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29, providing that no lighting devices shall be used which in any way imitate any traffic control device, railroad sign or signal, or highway directional signs.

(5) All outdoor signs and other advertising devices located within one-half (1/2) mile of an intersection of two (2) or more primary highways, or a primary highway and the Great River Road, or an interchange on the interstate system shall be erected and/or maintained with a minimum spacing between structures of two hundred fifty (250) feet, unless separated by another commercial building or structure, other than outdoor advertising, in which case outdoor advertising may be permitted on one (1) or more sides of building or buildings.

(6) No two (2) signs shall be spaced less than three hundred fifty (350) feet apart, except as to signs in existence on October 22, 1965, which shall not be removed by Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29. However, this spacing limitation shall not apply to areas within incorporated cities, towns, villages and in areas zoned industrial or commercial.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.