New rules permit electronic billboards

New rules from the Office of Outdoor Advertising that took effect on Dec. 7 permit electronic billboards and signs that were previously not allowed.

The office, part of the Department of Transportation, revised rules governing state oversight of billboards and other forms of outdoor advertising.

The office says that all applications for electronic sign permits will be available online at www.mass.gov/massdot/ooa beginning on Feb. 4. To allow prospective applicants time to obtain municipal approvals, the office says it will not accept electronic sign permit applications until March 4.

The MMA has asked the Office of Outdoor Advertising to further delay implementation of the new rules in order to give cities and towns enough time to review and update local bylaws and ordinances.

The Office of Outdoor Advertising has broad authority under state law to regulate billboards and certain other outdoor advertising within the public view of any highway or public park or reservation.

A workshop at the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 25 will look at the new and sometimes controversial regulations and discuss what cities and towns should consider in anticipation of new billboard proposals. The workshop will cover steps cities and towns can take to enact stricter ordinances and bylaws.

Workshop panelists include Springfield Deputy Planning Director Phil Dromey, Office of Outdoor Advertising Director Edward Farley, and Chris Quinn, who serves as counsel to the Office of Outdoor Advertising. Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt will moderate.

A copy of the regulations can be found at www.mass.gov/massdot/ooa.