The Story Behind Maine’s Billboard Law
Shortly after I moved to Maine almost four years ago, I noticed something very interesting - there are no advertisement billboards anywhere! None on the highways, routes, or downtown.
In my home state of New Hampshire, there are a few restrictions on where there can be billboards, but there definitely are several in the state. I couldn't believe that no matter where you go in the entire state of Maine, you won't see one!
Turns out that Maine is one of only four states in the entire country that have a billboard ban (Vermont, Alaska, and Hawaii are the other three.)
Maine became just the second state (after Vermont) to enact such a law, back in 1978.
According to News Center Maine, the last standing billboard in the state was removed in 1984. Since then, several attempts have been made to loosen the law.
Back in 2013, the Portland Press Herald reported that there were nine bills aimed at allowing exceptions for some businesses. But all nine bills were rejected.
So it looks like for now, Maine will remain billboard free. What do you think about the law? Let us know, with a comment on the Facebook post!