The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter,
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
(1) Commission--The Texas Transportation Commission.
(2) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.
(3) Erect--To construct, build, raise, assemble, place,
affix, attach, embed, create, paint, draw, or in any way bring into
being or establish.
(4) License--An outdoor advertising license issued
by the department.
(5) Main-traveled way--The through traffic lanes exclusive
of frontage roads, auxiliary lanes, and ramps.
(6) Military service member--A person who is currently
serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a reserve component
of the United States, including the National Guard, or in the state
military service of any service.
(7) Military spouse--A person who is married to a military
service member who is currently on active duty.
(8) Military veteran--A person who has served in the
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United
States, or in an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the
armed forces.
(9) Nonconforming sign--A sign that was lawfully erected
but that no longer complies with a law or rule because of changed
conditions or because the law or rule was amended after the sign was
erected or that fails to comply with a law enacted or rule adopted
after the sign was erected.
(10) Nonprofit sign--A sign that is erected and maintained
by a nonprofit organization under a permit issued under §21.457
of this subchapter (relating to Nonprofit Sign Permit).
(11) Permit--Written authorization granted for the
erection of a sign, subject to this subchapter and Transportation
Code, Chapter 394.
(12) Person--An individual, association, partnership,
limited partnership, trust, corporation, or other legal entity.
(13) Portable sign--A sign designed to be mounted on
a trailer, bench, wheeled carrier, or other non-motorized mobile structure
or on skids or legs.
(14) Processing area--An area where actions or operations
are accomplished that contribute directly to a particular commercial
or industrial purpose and are performed during established activity
hours.
(15) Public park--A public park, forest, playground,
nature preserve, or scenic area designated and maintained by a political
subdivision or governmental agency.
(16) Rural road--A road, street, way, highway, thoroughfare,
or bridge that is located in an unincorporated area and is not privately
owned or controlled, any part of which is open to the public for vehicular
traffic, and over which the state or any of its political subdivisions
have jurisdiction.
(17) Sign--A thing that is designed, intended, or used
to advertise or inform, including a sign, display, light, device,
figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, placard, poster, billboard,
logo, or symbol.
(18) Sign face--The part of the sign that contains
the advertising or information contents and is distinguished from
other parts of the sign and another sign face by borders or decorative
trim. The term does not include a lighting fixture, apron, or catwalk
unless it displays a part of the advertising or information contents
of the sign.
(19) Sign structure--All of the interrelated parts
and materials that are used, designed to be used, or intended to be
used to support or display advertising or information contents. The
term includes at a minimum, beams, poles, braces, apron, frame, catwalk,
stringers, and a sign face.
(20) Visible--Capable of being seen whether or not
legible or identified without visual aid by a person of normal visual
acuity.
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