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ITD brochure clarifies outdoor advertising regulations

A new ITD campaign will help property owners and businesses owners/operators avoid the headaches of having their road side advertising signs removed.

The campaign, which includes a new brochure and Web design, will educate residents and business owners on what is allowed on property bordering state and federal highways in Idaho.

The “Advertising Signs Along Idaho Highways” brochure covers the placement of advertising signs on private property, applying for a sign permit and federal laws that affect sign placement, among other items.

During former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration from 1963 to 1969, his wife, Lady Bird Johnson promoted efforts to protect the environment. Those efforts included the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which called for improving landscaping, removing billboards, and screening roadside junkyards.

In Idaho and other states, compliance with the act is a condition of receiving federal funds for highway construction.

Often, businesses place signs along highway routes only to be told they’re not in compliance with the Highway Beautification Act, and the signs must be removed. ITD hopes to reduce those frustrating experiences.

Jan Strough, ITD’s outdoor advertising manager, said it is often smaller businesses that have signs removed.

“This brochure is appropriate for small business owners, realtors and local community leaders,” Strough said. “The big billboard signs are put up by companies familiar with the regulations.”

Strough said regulating outdoor advertising has been a challenge in the transportation department’s District 3, which encompasses southwest Idaho. The district is home to rapidly growing Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Meridian, Kuna, Star, Middleton and Emmett.

Outdoor advertising brochures can be ordered and information can be accessed on ITD’s Web site at itd.idaho.gov . Click “doing business with ITD” and then “outdoor advertising.”