Electronic Digital Display Message Signs
Santa Clara City Code § 18.42.140
in effectA. Applicability. This Section applies to all electronic digital display message signs, including billboards (Section 18.42.090) and is intended to implement and comply with the California Outdoor Advertising Act of 2014, California Business and Professions Code Section 5200 et seq., as related to outdoor advertising displays, and Section 131 of Title 23 of the United States Code, including any amendments as may be adopted from time to time.
B. No Exception to Billboard Limitations. The standards set forth in this section shall not be construed as an exception to the limitation on billboards set forth in Section 18.42.090. Consequently, any new electronic digital display message sign must be either (1) noncommercial; (2) on-site advertising only;
(3) a billboard that replacing existing billboards pursuant to the replacement provisions of Section 18.42.090; or (4) a CityPlace Billboard.
C. Permit requirements. No electronic digital display message sign shall be erected or maintained until a Conditional Use Permit has first been approved in compliance with Chapter 18.114 (Conditional Use Permits) and any other applicable Federal and State statutes including the California Department of Transportation, Outdoor Advertising Permit Requirements.
D. Conditions of approval. Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an electronic digital display message sign shall consider/include language addressing all of the following:
1. Any allowed deviations from the development standards established in Subsection E (Development Standards), below.
2. The amount of time each day dedicated to public service announcements that will be displayed, at no cost to the City.
3. Terms requiring periodic review to ensure compliance with the development standards and conditions of approval.
E. Required findings. Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an electronic digital display message sign shall be based on all the following findings and any additional findings as may be required by the Department or the Planning Commission:
1. The proposed electronic digital display message sign is to be located in an appropriate area as defined by Subsection E (Development standards), below;
2. The proposed electronic digital display message sign is placed in the least visually impacting manner;
3. The Conditional Use Permit contains appropriate language addressing revenue and/or other public benefits for the City;
4. The proposed electronic digital display message sign complies with all the applicable operational standards specified in Subsection F, below, unless modified by the Planning Commission, as well as all applicable Federal and State laws;
5. The placement of the proposed electronic digital display message sign will not adversely affect residential use of property; and
6. The placement of the proposed electronic digital display message sign will not pose a traffic hazard.
F. Development Standards.
1. Sign face dimensions. The electronic digital display message sign display area shall not exceed 800 square feet, including border and trim, and excluding base or apron supports and other structural members. The overall length shall not exceed 60 feet.
2. Height. Unless modified by the terms of the Conditional Use Permit, the maximum overall height of an electronic digital display message sign shall not exceed 25 feet, measured from the finished grade at the structure base to the top of the message sign structure.
3. Separation. No electronic digital display message sign shall be located closer than 1,500 linear feet of another electronic display message sign, as measured from the centerline of each support structure.
4. Support structure. All proposed electronic digital display message signs shall be designed to have a single cylindrical column support.
5. Cutouts and attachments. No cutouts or attachments shall be allowed, unless allowed in compliance with the conditions of the Conditional Use Permit.
6. Double-faced signs. Double-faced electronic digital display message signs shall be located on the same cylindrical column structure and shall be positioned back-to-back. At no point, shall the distance between the two sign faces exceed eight feet.
7. Mechanical screening. Each sign structure shall include a facing of proper dimensions to conceal back bracing, framework, and structural members and/or any electrical equipment.
8. Owner identification. An owner identification sign shall be provided on all electronic digital display message signs. The area of the owner identification sign shall not be counted towards the maximum allowable sign face dimensions.
9. Undergrounding of utilities. All utilities installed in connection with the electronic digital display message sign shall be underground.
G. Operational standards.
1. Brightness. Light produced by an electronic/digital display message sign shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured from the sign’s face.
2. Dimmer control. Signs shall have an automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the time period between one half-hour before sunset and one half-hour after sunrise.
3. Brightness review. Each electronic digital display message sign shall be subject to a 30-day review period during which time the Director may determine that a reduction in illumination or turning off of the sign for certain evening hours, is necessary due to negative impacts on surrounding property or the community in general. The Director’s determination shall be made without regard to the message content of the sign.
4. Change of message. Messages displayed on an electronic digital display message sign shall be a static display without change for a minimum duration eight seconds except for those messages where the hour-and-minute, date, or temperature/weather information is updated. Messages shall be complete within each message/display and without continuation in content to the next message or to any other sign. The message/display shall change instantaneously without any fading in/out, scrolling, dissolve, or similar animation.
5. No animation. Any form of moving, animated, oscillating, or rotating images, or any other design intended to attract attention through movement or the semblance of movement on any part of the sign is prohibited at all times.
6. Maintenance. Signs shall be properly maintained in good working order at all times. Signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the changeable message in one position or to go dark if a malfunction occurs. The sign owner shall immediately stop the electronic/digital display when notified by the City that it is malfunctioning or not complying with regulations of this Section.
7. Nonconforming sign structure. An existing sign or sign structure that is nonconforming as to location, size, height, or other regulation shall not be changed to a new electronic digital display message sign until all nonconformities have been eliminated.
8. Public service announcements. All electronic digital display message signs shall be required to provide for public service announcements, including Amber Alerts, and other community service announcements in compliance with the terms of the Conditional Use Permit.
Source: City of Santa Clara Zoning Code (santaclaraca.gov PDF)URL: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoningFetched: 10/24/2026