Ind. Admin. Code tit. 105, r. 7-4-15.5 – Revocation of permit; appeal; removal of illegal signs as public nuisances

Affected: IC 4-21.5; IC 8-23-20-25.6; IC 8-23-20-26

Sec. 15.5. (a) A permit for a sign may be revoked for the following:

(1) Under this rule.

(2) If the sign has been altered so that it is no longer in compliance with the:

(A) size and configuration restrictions in section 16 of this rule;

(B) spacing criteria in section 17 of this rule;

(D) miscellaneous criteria in section 19 of this rule.

(3) Mistake of material facts by the issuing authority for which, had the correct facts been made known, the outdoor advertising permit in question would not have been issued.

(4) Misrepresentation of material facts made by the permit holder or sign owner, and where the issuing authority was found to have relied on in approving the outdoor advertising permit application.

(5) Misrepresentation of facts made by the applicant to any regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the sign by the permit holder or sign owner.

(6) Failure to complete construction of a structure within three hundred sixty-five (365) days after the date the outdoor advertising permit was issued.

(7) Altering an outdoor advertising structure for which a permit has previously been issued that would cause the outdoor advertising structure to fail to comply with 23 U.S.C. 131*, effective January 5, 2026.

(8) A determination on initial inspection of a newly erected outdoor advertising structure that fails to comply with 23 U.S.C. 131*, effective January 5, 2026, or this section.

(9) Alterations to a nonconforming sign that would cause it to be other than substantially the same as it was on the date the sign became nonconforming. For purposes of this subsection, alterations include:

(A) enlarging a dimension of the sign facing, or raising the height of the sign;

(B) changing the material of the sign structure's support;

(D) adding illumination; or

(E) moving a sign, unless the sign is relocated under IC 8-23-20-25.6(c)(2) and section 24.5 of this rule.

(10) Failure to affix a permanent plate within sixty (60) days after erecting the outdoor advertising structure that must be visible and readable from the main-traveled way or control route.

(11) Unlawful destruction or cutting of trees, shrubs, or other vegetation located on the state owned or controlled right-of-way to increase the visibility of an outdoor advertising structure.

(12) Failure to possess lawful access to repair, construct, maintain, or service an outdoor advertising sign on an interstate, a state highway, or other controlled access facilities. Direct access to a sign from a state highway, an interstate, or a limited access control route is strictly prohibited.

(13) Failure to maintain a nonconforming sign so that it remains blank for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months.

(14) Maintaining an abandoned, a damaged, or a discontinued nonconforming sign.

(15) Failure to notify the department of transfer of ownership within one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of the transfer.

(16) Failure to obtain and maintain the required permits from a federal, state, or local agency.

(17) Altering an outdoor advertising structure for which a permit has previously been issued that alters the structure (e.g., size, material, supports, lighting, or modification to a changeable message sign) without having an approved addendum by the department.

(18) Failure to erect, maintain, or alter an outdoor advertising sign structure under the permit.

(19) If inconsistent with other federal or state law.

(b) If revocation of the permit is appropriate, the department shall issue a written notice of revocation, accompanied by an explanation of the rationale for the revocation, which shall be sent to the permittee and property owner by U.S. certified mail. The permittee or property owner may appeal this revocation by delivering a written notice of the appeal to the department, and the notice is received by the department under the applicable period set forth in IC 4-21.5. If the appellant's appeal letter is timely received by the department and complies with the requirements in section 12(c) of this rule, the permittee or property owner that is appealing shall be given the opportunity for a hearing under IC 4-21.5 and IC 8-23-20.

(c) A conforming sign issued a permit under this rule may have the permit modified to a conditional permit for a nonconforming sign if the department determines that changed circumstances would preclude issuing a permit for a conforming sign under section 13.5(1) of this rule. Notice of this modification shall be given as provided in subsection (b). If the permit is so modified, the requirements of section 13.5 of this rule thereafter apply to that sign.

(d) Signs that were erected, repaired, maintained, or exist in violation of any federal or state law or this rule are illegal signs and public nuisances. The permit for an illegal sign may be revoked at any time by the department under this rule and state law.

(e) If the permit for a sign is revoked by the department, the sign must thereafter be removed under this rule and state law without payment of any compensation to the permittee, the property owner, or any other party, except as provided in IC 8-23-20-26.

*This document is incorporated by reference and refers to the laws or regulations, or both, effective January 5, 2026. Copies may be obtained from the Government Publishing Office, www.govinfo.gov, or are available for review at the Indiana Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Counsel, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Seventh Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

(Indiana Department of Transportation; 105 IAC 7-4-15.5; filed October 20, 2025, 11:35 a.m.: 20251119-IR-105250235FRA)