1. If any improvement project is caused to be constructed for purposes of noise abatement by the Department within the right-of-way of a controlled access freeway, which obstructs the visibility from the main-traveled way of the controlled access freeway of an outdoor advertising structure that adjoins the controlled access freeway, the Department shall:
(a) Authorize, with the consent of the affected city or county pursuant to chapter 278 of NRS and at no cost to the State or any local government, the owner of the outdoor advertising structure to adjust the height or angle of the structure to a height or angle that restores the visibility of the structure to the same or comparable visibility as before the construction of the improvement project;
(b) Authorize, with the consent of the affected city or county pursuant to chapter 278 of NRS and at no cost to the State or any local government, the owner of the outdoor advertising structure to relocate the structure to another location on the same parcel of land or on another parcel of land where the owner of the structure has secured the right to construct a structure pursuant to the applicable local ordinances in existence at that time and the relocation restores the visibility of the structure to the same or comparable visibility as before the construction of the improvement project;
(c) Evaluate the impact of the improvement project on the visibility of the outdoor advertising structure and may, in its discretion, implement design modifications to the project which maintain the integrity of the project and which eliminate the effect of the project on the visibility of the structure so that adjustments to or relocation of the structure are not required to maintain its visibility;
(d) Authorize, with the consent of the affected city or county pursuant to chapter 278 of NRS and at no cost to the State or any local government, any other relief which is consistent with the public health, safety and welfare and which is mutually agreed upon by the governing body of the affected city or county, the Department and the owner of the outdoor advertising structure; or
(e) If the actions described in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, would not result in the same or comparable visibility of the structure, let the visibility of the structure remain obstructed.
2. Any action authorized pursuant to subsection 1 must comply with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations, agreements with the Federal Government or the State and, to the extent that their provisions do not conflict with this section, local ordinances governing the regulation of outdoor advertising structures.
3. The provisions of subsection 1 do not authorize the owner of an outdoor advertising structure to increase the size of the area of display of the structure.
4. The provisions of this section:
(a) Apply to lawfully erected conforming and nonconforming outdoor advertising structures;
(b) Are not intended to grant an express or implied right of light, air or view over a controlled access freeway if such a right is not otherwise provided by law;
(c) Do not apply to an outdoor advertising structure whose visibility was obstructed on or before June 6, 2005, by an improvement project for noise abatement;
(d) Do not change the designation of an existing nonconforming outdoor advertising structure from nonconforming to conforming; and
(e) Do not authorize an increase in the number of nonconforming outdoor advertising structures.
5. As used in this section:
(a) "Controlled access freeway" means every highway to or from which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons are prohibited from having direct private access, and where access is allowed only at interchanges; and
(b) "Outdoor advertising structure" means a billboard, subject to a permit issued by the Department, that is designed, intended or used to disseminate commercial and noncommercial messages that do not concern the premises upon which the billboard is located.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 981)
Structure Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 410 - Beautification of Highways
NRS 410.040 - "Automotive graveyard" defined.
NRS 410.043 - "Board" defined.
NRS 410.045 - "Department" defined.
NRS 410.047 - "Director" defined.
NRS 410.050 - "Edge of the right-of-way" defined.
NRS 410.060 - "Interstate highway" defined.
NRS 410.080 - "Junkyard" defined.
NRS 410.090 - "Primary highway" defined.
NRS 410.095 - Declaration of legislative intent.
NRS 410.100 - Permit required for establishment and operation of junkyard at certain locations.
NRS 410.110 - Permit: Fee; disposition of proceeds.
NRS 410.120 - Permit: Conditions for issuance.
NRS 410.130 - Screening of certain junkyards: Requirement.
NRS 410.140 - Screening of certain junkyards: Regulations.
NRS 410.150 - Removal, relocation or disposal of junkyard.
NRS 410.160 - Acquisition of property by Department.
NRS 410.170 - Compensation for removal, relocation or disposal of junkyard.
NRS 410.180 - Payment of costs.
NRS 410.190 - Regulations to be consistent with federal laws and standards.
NRS 410.200 - Regulatory powers of local government unimpaired.
NRS 410.210 - Violation constitutes public nuisance; abatement; recovery of costs.
NRS 410.220 - Declaration of legislative intent.
NRS 410.250 - "Information centers" defined.
NRS 410.290 - "Safety rest areas" defined.
NRS 410.300 - "Unzoned commercial or industrial area" defined.
NRS 410.305 - "Urban area" defined.
NRS 410.310 - "Zoned commercial or industrial area" defined.
NRS 410.320 - Outdoor advertising adjacent to highway prohibited; exceptions.
NRS 410.360 - Violation constitutes public nuisance; abatement; recovery of costs; penalty.
NRS 410.380 - Informational sign, display or device within right-of-way.
NRS 410.390 - Inventory of existing outdoor advertising; contents; penalty.
NRS 410.400 - Regulations; fee for permit; no fee for certain signs; disposition of fees.