Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(b) "Destroyed" means that more than 50 percent of a nonconforming outdoor advertising device's upright supports are physically damaged to a degree that normal repair practices would require replacement of broken wooden supports or replacement of broken, bent, or twisted supports for metal sign structures.
(c) "Reasonable repair and maintenance" means customary maintenance and change of a sign's copy or message, and includes replacement of existing light fixtures with energy efficient fixtures or installation of other energy efficiency improvements. Reasonable repair and maintenance does not include:
(1) the addition of illumination;
(2) repair, reinstallation, erection, or maintenance for outdoor advertising devices that are destroyed, as defined under paragraph (b);
(3) enlarging the nonconforming device;
(4) changing the device from a wood structure to a steel or concrete structure; or
(5) any change that would terminate nonconforming status.
(d) "Substantial change" means any action that does not constitute reasonable repair and maintenance.
Subd. 2. Application. This section applies only to outdoor advertising devices subject to state and federal regulation under United States Code, title 23, section 131, and any regulations adopted under that law.
Subd. 3. Removal. The department may remove a destroyed, abandoned, or discontinued outdoor advertising device, subject to the limitations provided under this chapter.
Subd. 4. Reasonable repair and maintenance. (a) The owner of an outdoor advertising device may perform reasonable repair and maintenance on any device, provided the device is not destroyed.
(b) Any action not constituting reasonable repair and maintenance will subject the outdoor advertising device to immediate removal under subdivision 3.
Subd. 5. Substantial change. Substantial changes to outdoor advertising devices are prohibited. A substantial change to a nonconforming outdoor advertising device will subject the sign to immediate removal under subdivision 3.
1Sp2017 c 3 art 3 s 92
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 173 — Signs And Billboards Along Highways
Section 173.01 — Declaration Of Policy.
Section 173.025 — Municipal Identification Sign.
Section 173.03 — Road Advertising Permit Within Scenic Area.
Section 173.04 — Scenic Area; Scenic Easement; Federal Funds.
Section 173.05 — Acquisition Of Property.
Section 173.06 — Rules Relating To Road Advertising.
Section 173.07 — Road Advertising Permit Application, Renewal.
Section 173.08 — Excluded Road Advertising Devices.
Section 173.081 — Directional Sign.
Section 173.0851 — State Energy City.
Section 173.086 — Recycling Center Sign.
Section 173.09 — Violations, Remedies.
Section 173.10 — Conflict Of Laws.
Section 173.11 — Chapter Violations, Misdemeanor.
Section 173.12 — Applicability.
Section 173.13 — Permit To Advertise Along Interstate And Primary Highways.
Section 173.15 — Prohibited Advertising Devices.
Section 173.155 — Changeable Electronic Variable Message Signs.
Section 173.16 — Advertising Device In Business Area.
Section 173.17 — Removal Of Advertising Device; Compensation.
Section 173.171 — Vegetation Control; Visibility; Agreement.
Section 173.185 — Agreement With Federal Government; Rules.
Section 173.20 — Conflict Of Laws.
Section 173.21 — Chapter Violations; Misdemeanor; Injunctive Relief.
Section 173.231 — Fees; Proceeds To Trunk Highway Fund.
Section 173.25 — Availability Of Federal Aid.
Section 173.26 — Exemption For Old Advertising Device In Business Area.
Section 173.265 — Outdoor Advertising Devices; Removal; Maintenance.