Outdoor Advertising Control Program

TDOT_Mockup2 (4)
Latonja Coates

Latonja Coates
Outdoor Advertising Control Program Manager
Latonja.Coates@tn.gov
(615) 532-3459

Pending Final Rules – Control of Outdoor Advertising

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s proposed final rules for the control of outdoor advertising (Chapter 1680-06-03, as revised) have been filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State and may be reviewed at https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules_filings/02-06-24.pdf.  The notice of filing includes the Rulemaking Hearing Rules Filing Form, Responses to Public Comments, Summary of Rulemaking Hearing Rules (Final Rules), and a redline of the rule chapter as amended. Pending review by the Joint Government Operations Committee, the final rules will become effective on May 14, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact John Reinbold, General Counsel, at (615) 741-2941 or John.Reinbold@tn.gov.

The following button will redirect to the TN Code Annotated access page. Choose the title, chapter, and part that is associated with the needed topic.  As an example for Tennessee Code Annotated 54-21-101, the title number is 54, chapter number is 21, and part number is 101.  This code is associated with the topic of "Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 2020 Short Title".

Tennessee Code Annotated 54-21-101 et. sep

TN Code listed by Title, Chapter, Part, and Topic applicable to Outdoor Advertising
54-21-101. Short title
54-21-102. Chapter definitions
54-21-103. Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices on interstate and primary highway
54-21-104. Permits and tags — Fees
54-21-105. Failure to comply with § 54-21-104 — Effect
54-21-106. Disposition of fees
54-21-107. Acquisition by commissioner of outdoor advertising devices along the interstate and primary highway systems
54-21-108. Restrictions on outdoor advertising devices adjacent to state highways
54-21-109. Damage, destruction, or removal of signs or markers on state highway system
54-21-110. Information for traveling public
54-21-111. Power of commissioner to enforce provisions — Rulemaking
54-21-112. Commissioner's authority to enter on property without penalty
54-21-113. Commissioner's authority to enter into agreement with secretary of transportation
54-21-114. Exceptions
54-21-115. Outdoor advertising on certain interstate highways prohibited — Penalty — Exceptions
54-21-116. Vegetation control permits and fees
54-21-117. Unauthorized removal, cutting, or trimming of vegetation
54-21-118. Restrictions on new outdoor advertising devices
54-21-119. Changeable message signs
54-21-120. Removal of nonconforming device that is destroyed

Tennessee Code Annotated 54-17-101 & 201 et. seq

TN Code listed by Title, Chapter, Part, and Topic applicable to the Scenic Highway System Act of 1971
54-17-101. Short title
54-17-102. Scenic highway system established
54-17-103. Chapter definitions
54-17-104. Purposes, standards and objectives
54-17-105. Eligibility for scenic highway designation — Requirements of designation — Comprehensive plan
54-17-106. Severability
54-17-107. Management — Promotion
54-17-108. Advertising or junkyards prohibited on scenic highways — Authority of commissioner to acquire
54-17-109. Excepted signs
54-17-110. Removal or abatement of advertising structures and junkyards
54-17-111. Trash dumping prohibited — Penalties
54-17-112. Criminal sanctions
54-17-113. Statutory conflict|
54-17-114. Designated scenic highways — Designated urban roads not to be impaired
54-17-115. Building restrictions near scenic highways
54-17-116. Effect of designation — Existing building permits — Construction of part

TN Code listed by Title, Chapter, Part, and Topic applicable to the Tennessee Parkway System Act
54-17-201. Short title
54-17-202. Legislative findings
54-17-203. Establishment and designation of parkway system
54-17-204. Route and promotional markers
54-17-205. Existing outdoor advertising structures
54-17-206. Advertising structures, junkyards, and trash dumping
54-17-207. Additions to system — Designation powers of commissioner
54-17-208. Severability

Part 1 Scenic Highway System Act of 1971

54-17-101. Short title

54-17-102. Scenic highway system established

54-17-103. Chapter definitions

54-17-104. Purposes, standards and objectives

54-17-105. Eligibility for scenic highway designation — Requirements of designation — Comprehensive plan

54-17-106. Severability

54-17-107. Management — Promotion

54-17-108. Advertising or junkyards prohibited on scenic highways — Authority of commissioner to acquire

54-17-109. Excepted signs

54-17-110. Removal or abatement of advertising structures and junkyards

54-17-111. Trash dumping prohibited — Penalties

54-17-112. Criminal sanctions

54-17-113. Statutory conflict

54-17-114. Designated scenic highways — Designated urban roads not to be impaired

54-17-115. Building restrictions near scenic highways

54-17-116. Effect of designation — Existing building permits — Construction of part

Rules and Regulations for the Control of Outdoor Advertising

Requirements to Apply for an Outdoor Advertising Device Permit:

  1. Provide a completed Outdoor Advertising Permit Application with check or money order in the amount of $200.00 (an application for each sign face) payable to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
  2. Include a copy of a notarized affidavit signed by the property owner stating permission has been given to erect a sign on their property.
  3. Include a copy of property owner’s recent property record from the Assessor of Property Office. If this record is available on line, a printout is acceptable.
  4. Include a map or a scale drawing on a separate piece of paper which shows the location of the proposed outdoor advertising device on private property. The map must show the means by which you will access the proposed outdoor advertising device without using the state right-of-way. It is mandatory to show the property lines and the State’s highway right-of way. The map will need to show cross roads or features that assist in finding the proposed outdoor advertising location.
  5. No faxes are acceptable in submitting your application packet.
  6. Mail materials to: TDOT Highway Beautification Office, Outdoor Advertising, Suite 400 James K. Polk Bldg., 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN 37243-0333.

Outdoor Advertising Applications:

For more information regarding Outdoor Advertising, please call Mark Whited at (615) 741-6896 or LaTonja Coates at (615) 532-3459, or fax inquiries to (615) 532-5995.