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Billboard relocation bill prompts work-group discussion; League to survey members for preference on radius and same-city limits
Summary
The discussion focused on proposed changes to billboard relocation rules triggered by interstate or state-highway reconstruction. The League's work group reviewed options including removing a one-mile proximity requirement, limiting relocations to the same city and interstate, or extending the linear relocation radius to three miles.
A bill that would allow relocation of interstate or state-highway billboards affected by reconstruction drew detailed discussion and a League work-group follow-up Feb. 10.
Current law allows relocation within a circular radius (typically one mile for freeways, half-mile for highways) under certain conditions; the bill under discussion addresses a separate linear relocation when reconstruction of an interstate or state highway forces relocation. League staff said the proposed change was prompted by major reconstruction projects on I‑15 in parts of northern Utah, where industry representatives worry there will be insufficient suitable relocation sites inside the current radius.
The work group discussed three concepts the League will poll members on: - Remove the one-mile proximity cap and allow relocation anywhere along the same interstate inside the same city (more flexibility but limited to the same city and same interstate), - Increase the relocation radius (for example, to three miles along the interstate) but still restrict relocations along the same interstate rather than anywhere inside a city, or - Prioritize the "closest available" relocation site rather than a broader radius, with a city or industry prioritization rule to avoid forcing relocation to a more desirable site when a lesser move would suffice.
Staff emphasized that the bill as discussed would not change a city's authority to prohibit billboards outright; relocation remains a ‘‘may’’ contract between sign owners and receiving cities rather than an obligation. The work group also flagged concerns that relocations along an interstate could create net increases in visible billboards if an impacted sign moves inland and another sign is built closer to the right-of-way; discussion of that nuance will continue with industry representatives.
League staff said they expect the bill to be heard in committee later in the week and will use member Slido results to inform meetings with the billboard industry and with sponsors.
No formal League position was finalized at the LPC meeting; a substitute remained under discussion.
