Relating to outdoor advertising signs.
The bill provides a clearer framework for the relocation of outdoor advertising signs, especially for those being converted to digital formats. Notably, it establishes relocation credits that must be retired when relocating existing signs to better manage the inventory of outdoor advertising permits. Moreover, it clarifies the parameters under which an outdoor advertising sign may be deemed to have suffered a total or partial loss due to highway construction, thereby impacting compensation procedures for sign owners.
Senate Bill 417 aims to modify Oregon's outdoor advertising sign laws. The bill introduces provisions specific to relocating or reconstructing outdoor advertising signs and defines acceptable documentation required for proving landowner consent when an application for an outdoor advertising sign permit is submitted. This bill represents a significant update to existing regulations, particularly in the context of transitioning to digital billboards, an increasingly popular form of advertising.
The sentiment around SB 417 appears to be generally favorable among proponents who advocate for modernization in advertising practices and more efficient relocation processes. However, there are concerns voiced by some stakeholders regarding the implications of increased digital signage on visual clutter and highway aesthetics, expressing a cautionary sentiment towards the expansion of digital billboards without adequate oversight.
Key points of contention center around the balance between promoting economic development through digital advertising and maintaining community standards regarding outdoor advertising. Some local communities have expressed apprehension that the expansion of digital billboards could overwhelm existing visual landscapes, leading to calls for stricter regulation. The bill's provisions concerning landowner consent and signage relocation might also invite scrutiny about transparency and the rights of landowners versus regulatory authority.