(a) Whether or not the person must be licensed under Part II of this subtitle, a person may not erect or maintain any outdoor sign outside the limits of any municipal corporation and within 500 feet of a State highway, unless the person has a permit issued by the Administration for that sign.
(b) A permit is not required under this section to erect or maintain any outdoor sign:
(1) That is used only to advertise the sale or lease of the property on which it is located;
(2) That is on or within 100 feet of any building or the entrance to any building in which the business advertised is carried on;
(3) That is used only to advertise:
(i) A Maryland historic shrine or institution; or
(ii) A county or church fair held in this State;
(4) That advertises a candidate or the support or defeat of any proposition. This sign:
(i) Shall comply with all provisions of the Election Law Article;
(ii) Shall comply with public safety requirements as set forth in § 8–716 of this subtitle;
(iii) Shall conform to all local restrictions and zoning requirements which are more restrictive than this section; and
(iv) Shall conform to the restrictions and requirements of Parts IV and V of this subtitle; or
(5) That is only a temporary outdoor sign that advertises the sale in season of fresh produce on property that adjoins a State highway by a person who has grown the fresh produce and who owns, rents, or has permission to sell on the property. This sign:
(i) Shall comply with public safety requirements as set forth in § 8–716 of this subtitle;
(ii) Shall conform to all local restrictions and zoning requirements that are more restrictive than this section, including any applicable time limitation;
(iii) Shall conform to the restrictions and requirements of Parts IV and V of this subtitle; and
(iv) Shall be removed or covered when produce is no longer for sale.