2918

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 625

esthetic features and values of the highways and adjacent
areas. The General Assembly declares it to be a policy
of this State that the erection and maintenance of
outdoor advertising should be limited to zoned and
unzoned commercial and industrial areas within 660 feet
of the nearest edge of the rights—of—way of the
federal—aid primary system of highways within the State
and regulated in accordance with the terms of this
subheading and the regulations promulgated by the State
[Roads Commission] HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION pursuant
thereto, and finds that all outdoor advertising which
does not conform to the requirements of this subheading
and regulations adopted pursuant thereto is not in the
public interest. It is the intention of the General
Assembly, by this subheading, to provide a statutory
basis for regulation of outdoor advertising consistent
with the public policy relating to areas adjacent to such
highways as declared by Congress in the Highway
Beautification Act of 1965 AND THE FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY
AMENDMENT OF 1974.

On—premise advertising on the federal—aid primary
system is not regulated by this subheading. On—premise
advertising on the interstate and expressway highway
systems shall be regulated by local zoning laws or
ordinances if there [be] ARE local zoning laws or
ordinances relating to outdoor advertising in effect,
otherwise by the State [Roads Commission] HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION.

251.

(A) AS USED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS
OR PHRASES HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED.

[(a)] (B) "Commercial or industrial activities for
purposes of unzoned industrial and commercial areas" mean
those activities generally recognized as commercial or
industrial by local zoning authorities in this State,
except that none of the following activities shall be
considered commercial or industrial:

(1)   Outdoor advertising structures.

(2)     Agricultural, forestry, ranching, grazing,
farming, and related activities, including, but not
limited to, wayside fresh produce stands.

(3)    Activities normally or regularly in operation
less than three months of the year.

(4)   Transient or temporary activities.