68-2240. Removal of nonconforming signs; notice; right to appeal; cost of removing. (a) Any advertising structure erected or maintained adjacent to the right-of-way of the interstate or primary highway system after the effective date of this act as determined by K.S.A. 68-2231 through 68-2244, and amendments thereto, in violation of the provisions of this section or rules and regulations adopted by the secretary, or maintained without a permit for construction and a current license shall be considered illegal and shall be subject to removal. The department or its agent shall give 60-days notice by certified mail to the owner of the illegal sign and the landowner, if different from the sign owner, except that the department shall give 10-days notice to the owner of unlawful portable outdoor advertising located on vehicles or stands to remove such advertising structure or make it comply with the provisions of this act. Such notice shall contain a statement that the sign owner has the right to appeal the removal of such sign in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act and may appeal that decision to the district court. If such owner is unknown or cannot be reasonably ascertained, the department shall conclude that the advertiser shown on the sign is the owner of the sign. Unless the sign owner appeals in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e), the department or its agents shall have the right to remove the illegal advertising structure, at the expense of the owner, if the owner fails to remove the advertising structure or to make it comply with the provisions of this act within the required period cited in this section. If no appeal by the sign owner has been filed, after giving a 10-day notice to the sign owner and landowner, the department or its agents may enter upon private property for the purpose of removing the illegal advertising structure prohibited by this act or by the rules and regulations adopted by the secretary without civil or criminal liability. The cost of removing the advertising structure, whether by the department or its agents, shall be assessed against the owner of the illegal structure.

(b) A sign owner is prohibited from repairing and erecting a legal, non-conforming sign which sustains damage in excess of 60% of its replacement cost. This prohibition includes signs which have been damaged or destroyed by natural causes. An exception is made for those signs which were destroyed by vandalism or other criminal or tortious acts.

(c) A sign is considered a new sign and requires a new sign license if the sign is abandoned, left blank or remains dilapidated for a period of 12 months. Signs faces displaying public service announcements or displaying a "for rent" notice will not be considered abandoned.

(d) Any person, firm, corporation or association, placing, erecting or maintaining advertising structures, signs, displays or devices along the interstate system or primary system in violation of this act or rules and regulations adopted by the secretary shall not be recognized as advertisement for outdoor purposes and therefore constitutes a public nuisance subject to removal as provided by law.

(e) Right to Appeal. (1) Sign owners who are notified under subsection (a) to remove a sign determined to be in noncompliance of this act may appeal such order to the secretary of transportation. Hearings under this paragraph shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act.

(2) Any party aggrieved by the order of the secretary may appeal such order to the district court in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas judicial review act.

History: L. 1972, ch. 251, § 10; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 224; L. 2006, ch. 141, § 6; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 176; July 1.