SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                      1151

(b) In arriving at just compensation the State Roads Commission

or the Court, as the case may be, shall take into consideration the

length of time the outdoor advertising sign has been erected and its
useful life. Also to be considered shall be the physical condition of
the outdoor advertising sign and the degree of maintenance and im-
provements thereto or thereon since it was erected.

255.    Rules and Regulations Governing Outdoor Advertising on the
Federal-Aid Primary System.

On or before January 1, 1969 and notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary in Sections 201 through 211 of Article 56 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland, the State Roads Commission is hereby
authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations governing
the issuance of permits for the erection and maintenance of outdoor
advertising signs, displays or devices along the Federal-aid primary
system of highways shall it determine rules and regulations are neces-
sary. No outdoor advertising sign, display or device may be erected
along or adjacent to such highways without a permit therefor first
being obtained from the State Roads Commission. Such rules and
regulations shall govern such things as the location, size, lighting,
and spacing requirements of such outdoor advertising signs before
permits will be issued for the erection thereof. The rules and regu-
lations may also govern the method of erection and maintenance of
such advertising signs. The rules and regulations hereby authorized
shall govern outdoor advertising permitted under subsections (a),
(b), (c) and (d) of Section 252 hereof. All such rules and regulations
must be consistent with the safety and welfare of the traveling public
as may be necessary to carry out the policy as herein declared.

Prior to the adoption of any such rules and regulations notice of
their consideration shall be given in at least two newspapers of gen-
eral circulation in the State by publication thereof once a week for
not less than two weeks. The notice shall specify a time and place at
which a public hearing on the rules and regulations will be held and
rules and regulations are not to be adopted until the State Roads
Commission has considered the testimony given at such hearing.

256.    Exceptions:

Local political subdivisions shall have full authority under their
own zoning laws to zone areas for commercial or industrial purposes,
and such zoning regulations may include the size, spacing and light-
ing of outdoor advertising signs. The action of the local political
subdivisions in this regard will be accepted for the purposes of this
Act. Such rules and regulations as they pertain to outdoor adver-
tising shall govern within the area so zoned any provision in this
Act or rule and regulation of the State Roads Commission to the
contrary notwithstanding. At any time that a political subdivision
adopts comprehensive zoning which includes the regulation of out-
door advertising the State Roads Commission may so certify to the
Federal Highway Administrator and control of outdoor advertising
in industrial or commercial areas will transfer to the local political
subdivision.

257.    Fees and Penalties:

Fees for outdoor advertising permits required herein shall be as
prescribed in Sections 202 through 211 of Article 56 of the Anno-