Digital Billboards: Mountain View vs San Jose

Can a static billboard be converted to digital in unincorporated Santa Clara County?

No. The County treats digital conversion as a new sign requiring full zoning approval, which is denied for off-premises displays. Cities such as San Jose run separate digital-billboard agreements that do not extend to unincorporated parcels.

Does Caltrans regulate on-premises digital signs?

Caltrans regulates only signs visible from Interstate and primary highways and only off-premises advertising. On-premises electronic message centers are governed solely by County or city zoning and the local sign code.

Can I put a new digital billboard on my San Jose commercial property?

Almost never. New off-site billboards are prohibited and digital conversions of legal nonconforming billboards are limited to specific Council-approved exchange programs in defined downtown areas. Most parcels citywide cannot host any new billboard, static or digital.

Are on-site digital business signs allowed?

Limited electronic message centers are allowed on certain commercial and industrial parcels under SJMC Title 23 with brightness, dwell-time, and zoning restrictions. Residential and historic districts generally prohibit them. A San Jose sign permit is required before installation.

Who enforces freeway-visible billboards?

Both Caltrans (under the Outdoor Advertising Act) and San Jose Planning. Caltrans inspects highway corridors and can require removal of unpermitted displays statewide; the city enforces zoning and sign-code violations on private property within San Jose limits.