Issuance of permits for certain preexisting signs

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 377.700 to 377.780, the owner of any outdoor advertising sign in existence on May 30, 2007, located in a commercial or industrial zone in existence on May 30, 2007, that meets all requirements for obtaining an outdoor advertising sign permit as set out in ORS 377.700 to 377.780 and for which the owner had not secured an outdoor advertising permit as required by ORS 377.725 prior to May 30, 2007, either because of ignorance of the requirements of ORS 377.725 or because the area, road or street adjacent to which the sign was situated was not, at that time, designated as a state highway, shall be entitled to the issuance of an outdoor advertising sign permit by the Department of Transportation upon application by the owner of the sign and the payment of the fee established by the department under ORS 377.729. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 377.700 to 377.780, the owner of any outdoor advertising sign visible from a road or street that is designated as a state highway after May 30, 2007, is entitled to the issuance of an outdoor advertising sign permit for the sign upon application by the owner of the sign, payment of the fee established by the department under ORS 377.729 and receipt of the affidavit required under ORS 377.723, if the sign was lawfully located within a commercial or industrial zone at the time of designation as a state highway.