Subject to this chapter, after January 1, 1968, or any later date established by the Congress of the United States in relation to 23 U.S.C. § 131, or waiver of that date pursuant to title 23 of the United States Code, no sign may be erected or maintained within six hundred sixty feet [201.17 meters] from the nearest edge of the right of way and visible from the main traveled way of any highway that is a part of the state highway system in this state except the following:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 24-17-03

  • Director: means the director of the department of transportation of this state, acting directly or through authorized agents as provided in section 24-02-01. See North Dakota Code 24-01-01.1
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute means the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Property: includes property, real and personal. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Right of way: means a general term denoting land, property, or interest therein, acquired for or devoted to highway purposes and shall include, but not be limited to publicly owned and controlled rest and recreation areas, sanitary facilities reasonably necessary to accommodate the traveling public, and tracts of land necessary for the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty adjacent to the state highway system. See North Dakota Code 24-01-01.1
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • State highway system: means the system of state principal roads designated by the director of the department, the responsibility for which is lodged in the department. See North Dakota Code 24-01-01.1
  • Traveled way: means the portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders and auxiliary lanes. See North Dakota Code 24-01-01.1
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1.    Official signs and notices and directional signs and notices, including signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic attractions, and outdoor recreational areas subject to the national standards to be promulgated by the secretary of transportation.

2.    Signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located.

    3.    Signs specifically advertising activities conducted, services rendered, goods sold, stored, produced, or mined, or the name of the enterprise that is located on property used for the purpose advertised or on property contiguous to the advertised activity which is under the same ownership, lease, rent, or control as the property with the advertised activity.

4.    Signs in unzoned commercial or industrial areas, which now or hereafter qualify as such, pursuant to the agreement between the director and the secretary of transportation according to 23 U.S.C. § 131.

5.    Signs relocated by reason of the construction or reconstruction of the state highway system.

6.    Official highway signs within interstate rights of way giving specific information for the traveling public pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 131(f) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

7.    Signs calling attention to the location of buried utility lines.

8.    Political signs temporarily installed on private property, providing the signs do not include any form of commercial advertising.