Billboard Bans and Controls

Four states currently ban billboards: Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont. It is no accident that these four states are known for their scenic beauty. Businesspeople in these states recognize that an unmarred landscape promotes tourism and benefits them in the long run. Billboard bans also level the playing field between local businesses and national chains in at least one advertising medium.

Two states [Rhode Island and Oregon] have prohibited the construction of new billboards and a handful of communities have chosen to cap on the number of billboards that can be constructed.

More Information:

• Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
• Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

Related Resources:

• List of Communities Prohibiting Billboard Construction
• Scenic America has a nice section on Billboard and Sign Control that contains a Model Community Level Billboard Ordinance and Model Statewide Billboard Legislation
• Citizens for a Scenic Florida has a nice site of information on fighting billboards in Florida

State of Hawaii Billboard Statutes:

445-111 Definitions.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol10_ch436-474/hrs445/hrs_445-111.htm

445-112 Where and when permitted.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol10_ch436-474/hrs445/hrs_445-112.htm

445-113 Regulation by counties.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol10_ch436-474/hrs445/hrs_445-113.htm

264-72 Control of outdoor advertising. No person shall erect or maintain any outdoor advertising outside of the right-of-way boundary and visible from the main-traveled way of any federal-aid or state highway within the State, except the following:

(1) Directional and other official signs and notices, which signs and notices shall include, but not be limited to,signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic attractions as authorized or required by law.

(2) Signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located.

(3) Signs, displays, and devices advertising activities conducted on the property upon which they are located.

(4) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the director to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance the preservation of which would be consistent with the purpose of this section.

§264-73 Regulations. The director of transportation may promulgate rules and regulations governing the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising permitted under section 264-72, consistent with the safety and welfare of the traveling public and with the national standards promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to Title 23, United States Code.