NC H309

Increases permit fee for selective vegetation removal within state highway rights-of-way from $200 to $400 per permitted site, nonrefundable.

Establishes standards for outdoor advertising sign owners to obtain permits for vegetation cutting, trimming, or removal within defined zones, with maximum cut/removal areas measured from sign centerline (200 feet along right-of-way, 400 feet along pavement edge).

Requires sign owners seeking to remove existing trees to either reimburse the Department based on tree value or remove two nonconforming outdoor advertising signs for each existing tree removal, with nonconforming signs permanently disassembled and ineligible for future permits.

Creates permit denial grounds including applications for illegal/disputed signs, signs obscured at erection, public safety concerns, vegetation planted for beautification or noise barriers prior to sign erection, and unlawful vegetation destruction within past five years.

Establishes five-year prohibition on new outdoor advertising permits at locations where unlawful vegetation destruction has occurred and prohibits permits for signs obscured by existing mature trees or located on scenic byways.