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A.  Outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices which provide directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public, and are such that removal would work a substantial economic hardship in a defined area, and which were in existence on May 5, 1976, are exempt from the provisions of this Part and may be retained in the defined area, if approved by the Federal Highway Administration, pursuant to 23 C.F.R. § 750.501 et seq.  

B.  A defined area, as used herein, is an area within clearly established geographical boundaries, ascertainable with reasonable certainty, which can be evaluated as an economic entity.  

C.  Signs exempted under this Section must meet with following requirements:

(1)  Have been lawfully erected prior to May 5, 1976, and must continue to be lawfully maintained.  

(2)  Continue to provide the directional information to goods and services offered at the same enterprise in the defined area in the interest of the traveling public that was provided on May 5, 1976.  

D.  The department is authorized and directed to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations, within ninety days from the effective date hereof, for the administration and implementation of this Section, establishing and defining:

(1)  Requirements for the directional content of signs to qualify the signs as directional signs to goods and services in defined areas.  

(2)  A method of economic analysis showing that the removal of signs would work a substantial economic hardship throughout the defined area.  

E.  Upon receipt of a petition, declaration or resolution from any state, parish or municipal agency, or subdivision, or from any industry association or trade association containing more than fifteen members, asserting or claiming that the removal of such signs providing directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public, are such that removal would work a substantial economic hardship in a defined area, the department shall make appropriate application to the Federal Highway Administration for the exemption of such signs under the provision of 23 USC 131(o), and in accordance with Part 750, Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or in accordance with the appropriate federal statutes and regulations required to apply for exemption of such signs from federal control of outdoor advertising.  

Added by Acts 1978, No. 187, §3, eff. Aug.  11, 1978.