SB 1638 Summary

• Amends 69 O.S. 2011, Section 1278 regarding outdoor advertising signs and nonconforming structures controlled by the Department of Transportation.

• Reclassifies lawfully erected outdoor advertising signs that became nonconforming after March 28, 1972 as "legal nonconforming structures" allowed to remain within prescribed guidelines rather than requiring removal.

• Signs erected after July 1, 1975 and located more than 660 feet from the right-of-way remain subject to removal after April 14, 1978; signs erected prior to July 1, 1975 in the same location cannot be removed before July 1, 1980.

• Allows exemption from removal for directional signs lawfully erected before May 5, 1976 if they meet specified conditions including economic impact study approval and U.S. Secretary of Transportation concurrence.

• Exempts church signs of 32 square feet or less erected by churches organized under Oklahoma law and recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt organizations from removal requirements.