Digital Billboards: Santa Clara vs Sunnyvale
How do digital billboards rules compare between Santa Clara, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Santa Clara and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits new off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated areas. The California Outdoor Advertising Act sets statewide controls along Interstate and primary highways and requires Caltrans permits for any roadside display.
View full Santa Clara rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits new off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated areas. The California Outdoor Advertising Act sets statewide controls along Interstate and primary highways and requires Caltrans permits for any roadside display.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| County stance | New digital billboards prohibited | New digital billboards prohibited |
| State statute | Bus. & Prof. Code §5200 et seq. | Bus. & Prof. Code §5200 et seq. |
| Permit agency | Caltrans Outdoor Advertising | Caltrans Outdoor Advertising |
| Brightness cap | Caltrans 0.3 footcandles over ambient | Caltrans 0.3 footcandles over ambient |
| Change interval | Minimum four seconds per message | Minimum four seconds per message |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Clara FAQ
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.
Sunnyvale FAQ
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.
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