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<section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="12-537" title_number="12" title_name="Other Powers of Counties -- Generally" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Roads">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this section, “visible from the traveled way” means capable of being seen, whether or not legible, without visual aid by an individual with normal visual acuity.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>This section does not apply to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>outdoor advertising signs promoting a business or other activity conducted on the same property as the sign;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>outdoor advertising signs located under the authority of zoning permits in commercial or industrial zones;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>outdoor advertising signs authorized in districts zoned commercial and industrial by a municipality within the boundaries of the municipality;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>temporary real estate signs;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>official directional signs installed by the State Highway Administration or Harford County;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>signs denoting places of religious worship or a historic monument, provided that the signs are located in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Highway Administration; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>outdoor advertising signs erected before June 1, 1972.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>In Harford County, a person may not lease, rent, use, or permit the use of property for the purpose of erecting an outdoor advertising sign adjacent to a State or county highway if the sign is visible from the traveled way of the highway.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>This section may not be construed to permit the erection of an outdoor advertising sign in Harford County that is otherwise prohibited by State or local law or by local zoning ordinance.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The State Highway Administration or Harford County may acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation outdoor advertising signs that are visible from the traveled way of State or county highways if the outdoor advertising signs were erected before June 1, 1972.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The State Highway Administration or Harford County shall pay just compensation for the removal of an outdoor advertising sign under this section.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Compensation may not be paid for any outdoor advertising signs erected after June 1, 1972.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Compensation may be paid only for the following:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>taking from the owner of the sign all right, title, leasehold, and interest in the sign; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>taking from the owner of the property on which the sign is located the right to erect and maintain the sign on the property.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
