24-10-103. Definitions.

(a) Except as otherwise provided, as used in this act:

(i) "Interstate system" means that portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways located within this state, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated by the commission and approved by the secretary of transportation pursuant to the provisions of title 23, United States Code, "Highways";

(ii) "Primary system" means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated or as may hereafter be so designated by the commission and approved by the secretary of transportation pursuant to the provisions of title 23, United States Code, "Highways";

(iii) "Outdoor advertising" means any outdoor sign, display, light, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform and which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of the interstate or primary systems;

(iv) "Commission" means the transportation commission of Wyoming;

(v) "Safety rest area" means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the right-of-way by or under public supervision or control, for the convenience of the traveling public;

(vi) "Information center" means an area or site established and maintained at safety rest areas for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the state and providing such other information as the commission may consider desirable;

(vii) "Visible" means capable of being seen, whether or not legible, without visual aid by a person of normal visual acuity;

(viii) "Commercial or industrial zone" means those areas which are reserved for business, commerce, or trade pursuant to comprehensive local zoning ordinances or regulation, or enabling state legislation, including highway service areas in which the primary use of the land is reserved for commercial and roadside services other than outdoor advertising;

(ix) "Unzoned commercial or industrial area" means those areas not zoned by state or local law, regulation or ordinance which are occupied by one (1) or more industrial or commercial activities other than outdoor advertising signs on the lands along the highways for a distance of six hundred (600) feet immediately adjacent to the activities, and those lands directly opposite on the other side of the highway to the extent of the same dimensions; provided, those lands on the opposite side of the highway are not deemed scenic or having aesthetic value;

(x) "Commercial or industrial activities" mean for purposes of paragraph (viii) those activities generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities in this state, except that none of the following activities shall be considered commercial or industrial:

(A) Agricultural, forestry, grazing, farming, and related activities including wayside fresh produce stands;

(B) Transient or temporary activities;

(C) Activities not visible from the main-traveled way;

(D) Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence;

(E) Railroad tracks and minor sidings.

(b) All signs located within an unzoned area shall become nonconforming if the commercial or industrial activity used in defining the area ceases for a period of six (6) months.