No advertising device shall be erected outside of urban areas further than six hundred sixty feet from the right-of-way of the main traveled way of a highway on the interstate or primary system if such device would be visible from such main traveled way, except the following:

(A) Directional and official signs and notices that conform to rules adopted by the director of transportation;

(B) Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located;

(C) Advertising devices indicating the name of the business, activities, or profession conducted on such property or that identify the goods produced, sold, or services rendered on such property and that conform to rules adopted by the director;

(D) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, that the director, subject to the approval of the secretary of the United States department of transportation, has determined to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, which are of historic or artistic significance.

Any advertising device lawfully in existence prior to November 28, 1975, or lawfully on any highway made a part of the interstate or primary system on or after that date, the erection of which would be illegal under this section, is nonconforming, and may be maintained subject to the permit provisions of section 5516.10 of the Revised Code. An advertising device existing prior to the effective date of this section which would be illegal under this section shall be considered a nonconforming advertising device and may be maintained subject to the permit provisions of section 5516.10 of the Revised Code.

As used in this section, "urban area" means an urbanized area or an urban place as designated by the bureau of the census having a population of five thousand or more, and within boundaries approved by the United States secretary of transportation.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997; 09-16-2004 .