1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; authorizing certain religious services signs adjacent to 
1.3 	highways;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 173.08, subdivision 1, by 
1.4 	adding a subdivision; 173.13, subdivision 3.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 173.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Advertising devices restricted. No advertising device, excepting the 
1.8 	advertising devices described and permitted under sections 173.01 to 173.27, shall be erected 
1.9 	or maintained in an adjacent area, after June 8, 1971, except the following:
1.10 	(1) directional and other official signs, including, but not limited to, signs pertaining to 
1.11 	natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions, which are required or authorized by law, 
1.12 	and which comply with rules which shall be promulgated by the commissioner relative to 
1.13 	their lighting, size, spacing and other requirements as may be appropriate to implement 
1.14 	sections 173.01 to 173.27;
1.15 	(2) advertising devices advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are 
1.16 	located, provided that there shall not be more than one such sign, advertising the sale or 
1.17 	lease of the same property, visible to traffic proceeding in any one direction on any one 
1.18 	interstate or primary highway;
1.19 	(3) advertising devices advertising activities conducted on the property on which they 
1.20 	are located, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, goods sold, stored, 
1.21 	manufactured, processed, or mined thereon, services rendered thereon, and entertainment 
1.22 	provided thereon;
2.1 	(4) advertising devices stating the name and address of the owner, lessee or occupant 
2.2 	of such property or information otherwise required or authorized by law to be posted or 
2.3 	displayed thereon;
2.4 	(5) public utility signs;
2.5 	(6) service club and religious notices, including advertising devices authorized under 
2.6 	subdivision 3a;
2.7 	(7) advertising devices of which the advertising copy or the name of the owner thereof 
2.8 	is in no part visible from the traveled way of the aforesaid highways;
2.9 	(8) advertising devices which are located, or which are to be located, in business areas 
2.10 	and which comply, or will comply when erected, with the provisions of sections 173.01 to 
2.11 	173.27;
2.12 	(9) signs placed temporarily by auctioneers under section 169.07; and
2.13 	(10) community identification signs which are located within two miles of the community 
2.14 	and do not exceed 750 square feet. "Community" means a county, town, or home rule charter 
2.15 	or statutory city. Prior to the erection of a community identification sign, the community 
2.16 	must:
2.17 	(i) obtain approval from the governing body of the community;
2.18 	(ii) consult with local road authorities on placement and location of the sign; and
2.19 	(iii) obtain consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is to be erected.

2.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.21 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 173.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
2.22 	read:
2.23 		Subd. 3a.Religious services sign exemption. Advertising devices may be erected and 
2.24 	maintained in an adjacent area if the device:
2.25 	(1) relates to the meetings or location of an established religious organization's religious 
2.26 	services;
2.27 	(2) contains an advertising area that does not exceed 65 square feet;
2.28 	(3) is located outside the corporate limits of a statutory or home rule charter city;
2.29 	(4) is located on private property; and
2.30 	(5) does not violate section 160.27 or 160.2715.

3.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

3.2 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 173.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.3 		Subd. 3.Exemption Exemptions. (a) No size limitation shall apply applies to any 
3.4 	advertising device otherwise legally in place on June 8, 1971.
3.5 	(b) The commissioner and a local zoning authority is prohibited from requiring a permit 
3.6 	or imposing a fee under this section for an advertising device authorized under section 
3.7 	173.08, subdivision 3a.

3.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.