(1) The following terms, when used in this section, have the meanings ascribed herein:

(a) “Parkway” means the Everglades Parkway, which is a portion of State Road 84 commonly known as “Alligator Alley,” in Collier and Broward Counties.

(b) “Owner” means a person or legal entity vested with title to an advertising structure or advertising sign.

(c) “Advertisement,” “advertising structure,” “advertising sign,” “state,” “highway,” “post,” “real property,” and “adjacent” mean the same as are defined or hereafter are defined by s. 479.01.

(2) The Everglades Parkway is designated and declared to be an official scenic highway of the state. No advertising sign shall be erected or maintained within 500 feet of either side of the right-of-way of the parkway situate between the easternmost and westernmost tollgates, with the following exceptions:

(a) Official road signs erected by the department or erected by a political subdivision of the state.

(b) Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located, if they do not exceed 4 square feet in area.

(c) Signs advertising only the name or nature of the business being conducted on, or the products, facilities, goods or services being sold, supplied, or distributed on or from, the premises on which the signs are located, if such signs are within 500 feet of such business.

(d) Signs erected and maintained by a public utility for the purpose of giving warning of the location of an underground cable or other installation.

(3)(a) Any advertisement which is constructed, erected, operated, used, maintained, posted, or displayed in violation of this section is declared to be a public and private nuisance and shall be forthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the secretary or the secretary’s representatives; and for that purpose they may enter upon private property without incurring any liability therefor.

(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section, whether as principal, agent, or employee, for which violation no other penalty is prescribed, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $300. Such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each month during any portion of which any violation of this section is committed, continued, or permitted. The existence of any advertising copy or any outdoor advertising structure, outdoor advertising sign, or advertisement shall constitute prima facie evidence that the outdoor advertising sign or advertisement was constructed, erected, operated, used, maintained, or displayed with the consent and approval and under the authority of the person whose goods or services are advertised thereon.

(4) Wherever the provisions of this section are inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 479, the provisions of this section shall prevail except when otherwise specifically provided in this section.

History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 69-371; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 23, ch. 84-227; s. 44, ch. 84-309; s. 490, ch. 95-148.