as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/26/2021 10:07am
A bill for an act
relating to transportation and tourism; establishing statewide moratorium on new
billboards; declaring existing billboards nonconforming uses; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2020, section 462.357, subdivision 1c; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 173.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The legislature recognizes Minnesota is a state that is known for its natural beauty and
its economy benefits from tourism. Billboards significantly undermine that beauty and make
the state less attractive to tourists. The legislature finds that Minnesota already has a large
number of billboards, and it is in the public interest to establish a moratorium on new
billboards in order to provide natural and economic benefits to the state.
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For purposes of this section, "billboard" means an advertising
device as defined in section 173.02, subdivision 16, except that it includes advertising
devices visible to any person, whether they are in a motor vehicle or not.
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Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, after
the effective date of this section, no state agency or political subdivision may issue a permit
for or otherwise authorize a new billboard anywhere in the state. An ordinance, charter
provision, or policy that conflicts with this section is void and not enforceable.
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Existing billboards are nonconforming
uses subject to sections 462.357, subdivision 1e and 394.36.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 462.357, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:
Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision,
a municipality must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance providing for the elimination
or termination of a use by amortization which use was lawful at the time of its inception.
This subdivision does not apply to new text begin billboards as defined in section 173.28, new text end adults-only
bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses, as defined by ordinance.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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