(a) For the purpose of this section, the following words have the following meanings:
(1) AGRICULTURAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. Any agricultural based business providing any on-site attraction to tourists which meets criteria established by the Department of Agriculture and Industries.
(2) DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign placed on the right-of-way of a state highway or county road to direct traffic to an agricultural tourist attraction.
(b) The Department of Agriculture and Industries shall by rule establish the criteria and an application process to provide for agricultural tourist attractions. Each application for approval as an agricultural tourist attraction with the department shall be accompanied by a one-time application fee to be established by the department. In addition, each agricultural tourist attraction shall pay an annual renewal fee to be established by the department. The department shall maintain a registry of approved agricultural tourist attractions.
(c) Upon approval by the Department of Agriculture and Industries as an approved agricultural tourist attraction and at the request of the applicant, the Department of Agriculture and Industries in conjunction with the Department of Transportation or the county engineer, as appropriate, shall take the appropriate steps to place directional signs to direct traffic to the agricultural tourist attraction. An agricultural tourist attraction shall pay any costs related to directional signs provided for in this subsection.
(d) An agricultural tourist attraction directional sign shall not be placed along a highway under state jurisdiction unless the State Department of Transportation approves the sign and its placement. The state shall not be responsible for the cost or maintenance of any agricultural tourist attraction directional sign approved by the State Department of Transportation to be placed along a highway under state jurisdiction.
(e) An agricultural tourist attraction directional sign shall not be placed along a county road unless the county engineer approves the sign and its placement along the county road. The county shall not be responsible for the cost or maintenance of any agricultural tourist attraction directional sign approved to be placed along the county road by the county engineer.
Last modified: May 3, 2021