§ 54-22-103. Relocation of Below-Ground Utilities and Encroachments
The state shall be responsible for the necessary removal of any below-ground utilities located entirely on the presumptive right-of-way and shall relocate the utilities on another location within the proposed right-of-way, or on other land that may be acquired. The state also shall be responsible for the removal and relocation to other land that may […]
§ 54-22-104. State Eminent Domain Powers
The state is vested with full powers of eminent domain in the premises.
§ 54-22-105. Actions at Law in Inverse Eminent Domain
Any person claiming title to land presumed to be owned by the state shall have the right to file an action at law in inverse eminent domain within two (2) years from the date actual possession is taken, saving, however, to unknown owners and nonresidents, twelve (12) months after actual knowledge of possession, not exceeding […]
§ 54-21-113. Commissioner’s Authority to Enter Into Agreement With Secretary of Transportation
The commissioner is authorized and directed to enter into agreements with the secretary of transportation of the United States regarding the definition of unzoned industrial and commercial areas; and regarding the size, lighting, and spacing of outdoor advertising devices that may be erected and maintained within six hundred sixty feet (660′) of the nearest edge […]
§ 54-21-114. Exceptions
This chapter does not apply to signs or markers identifying the location or depth of underground communications and power cables, water mains, gas transmission lines, and other utility facilities located within or without the boundary of the right-of-way of the interstate or primary highway systems in the state.
§ 54-21-115. Outdoor Advertising on Certain Interstate Highways Prohibited — Penalty — Exceptions
No outdoor advertising device shall be erected or continued in use for the purpose of having its message read from the main traveled ways of Interstate 26 from State Route 1 in Sullivan County to State Route 67 in Washington County (formerly Interstate 181), except those portions within the boundaries of an incorporated municipality on […]
§ 54-21-116. Vegetation Control Permits and Fees
The commissioner shall issue to the owners or holders of lawfully issued outdoor advertising device permits, which definition includes those described as legal conforming, grandfathered, and nonconforming outdoor advertising devices in federal regulations, when the face of the outdoor advertising device is generally visible to occupants of vehicles from the main traveled ways of the […]
§ 54-21-117. Unauthorized Removal, Cutting, or Trimming of Vegetation
If, before obtaining an outdoor advertising device permit and a vegetation control permit, vegetation located on the right-of-way is removed, cut, or trimmed, and application is subsequently made for an outdoor advertising permit, then the commissioner may deny the permit. If, before applying for a vegetation control permit, vegetation located on the right-of-way is removed, […]
§ 54-21-118. Restrictions on New Outdoor Advertising Devices
After July 1, 2001, permits shall not be issued pursuant to this chapter for any new outdoor advertising device in which two (2) or more displays are stacked one (1) above the other. Outdoor advertising devices with two (2) or more displays stacked one (1) above the other that were legally erected on or before […]
§ 54-21-119. Changeable Message Signs
Changeable message signs may be double faced, back to back, or V- type signs. Changeable message signs with a digital display that meet all other requirements pursuant to this chapter are permissible subject to the following restrictions: The message display time must remain static for a minimum of eight (8) seconds with a maximum change […]