# Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-108: Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices adjacent to state highways

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-108

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-108
- **Heading:** Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices adjacent to state highways
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 54 / Chapter 21 / Section 54-21-108

## Text

(a) Control of outdoor advertising devices, as provided in §§ 54-21-103 and 54-21-104 , is extended to outdoor advertising devices located beyond six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the federal-aid interstate or primary systems outside of urban areas erected with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled ways of the systems. Such outdoor advertising devices are prohibited, regardless of whether located in commercial or industrial areas, unless they are of a class or type allowed under existing law within six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the systems outside of commercial or industrial areas. (b) Those outdoor advertising devices lawfully erected prior to July 1, 1976, but prohibited as of July 1, 1976, by subsection (a) shall be removed upon the payment of just compensation in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as outdoor advertising devices lawfully erected within six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the federal-aid interstate and primary systems outside of commercial and industrial areas. (c) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the commissioner, subject to the concurrence of the secretary of transportation of the United States, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of this section, are not required to be removed. Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 706, s 8, eff. 6/22/2020. Acts 1972, ch. 655, § 8; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; Acts 1973, ch. 113, § 1; T.C.A., § 54-2608; Acts 1980, ch. 470, § 2; 1983, ch. 133, § 2.
(a) Control of outdoor advertising devices, as provided in §§ 54-21-103 and 54-21-104 , is extended to outdoor advertising devices located beyond six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the federal-aid interstate or primary systems outside of urban areas erected with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled ways of the systems. Such outdoor advertising devices are prohibited, regardless of whether located in commercial or industrial areas, unless they are of a class or type allowed under existing law within six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the systems outside of commercial or industrial areas.
(b) Those outdoor advertising devices lawfully erected prior to July 1, 1976, but prohibited as of July 1, 1976, by subsection (a) shall be removed upon the payment of just compensation in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as outdoor advertising devices lawfully erected within six hundred sixty feet (660') of the edge of the right-of-way of the federal-aid interstate and primary systems outside of commercial and industrial areas.
(c) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the commissioner, subject to the concurrence of the secretary of transportation of the United States, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of this section, are not required to be removed.
Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 706, s 8, eff. 6/22/2020.
Acts 1972, ch. 655, § 8; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; Acts 1973, ch. 113, § 1; T.C.A., § 54-2608; Acts 1980, ch. 470, § 2; 1983, ch. 133, § 2.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-101 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-102 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-103 Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices on interstate and primary highways](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-104 Permits and tags - Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-105 Failure to comply with Section 54-21-104 - Effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-106 Disposition of fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-107 Acquisition by commissioner of outdoor advertising devices along the interstate and primary highway systems](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-108 Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices adjacent to state highways](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-109 Damage, destruction, or removal of signs or markers on state highway system](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-110 Information for traveling public](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-111 Rulemaking and enforcement by commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-112 Commissioner's authority to enter on property without penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-113 Commissioner's authority to enter into agreement with secretary of transportation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-21-114 Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T54_C21_S54-21-108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.