(a) “Landscaped freeway” means a section or sections of a freeway that is now, or hereafter may be, improved by the planting at least on one side or on the median of the freeway right-of-way of lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, or other ornamental vegetation requiring reasonable maintenance.
(b) Planting for the purpose of soil erosion control, traffic safety requirements, including light screening, reduction of fire hazards, or traffic noise abatement, shall not change the character of a freeway to a landscaped freeway.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if an agreement to relocate advertising displays from within one area of a city or county to an area adjacent to a freeway right-of-way has been entered into between a city or county and the owner of an advertising display, then a “landscaped freeway” shall not include the median of a freeway right-of-way.