Anaheim, CA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Sec. 010 sets the citywide standard for every lighted sign in Anaheim, including the freeway-oriented signs and billboards permitted under Sec. 08. 0101 bars directing artificial light into any structure used exclusively for residential purposes, though hotels and motels don't count as residential for this rule. 0102 limits indirect lighting to 800 milliamps of rated capacity and neon or similar tubing to 300 milliamps. 0103 sets a hard illumination ceiling of 250 foot-lamberts measured on any surface of the sign, using a light meter approved by the Building Official, and excluding the effect of other light sources or external conditions; the manufacturer must attach a statement certifying the sign doesn't exceed that limit.

0105 requires internally lit can-signs to have a solid background so the letters or logo glow rather than the whole cabinet. Before any sign is illuminated, Sec. 060 requires a separate electrical permit and payment of the applicable fee. In the Transit, Stadium and Arena Special Sign Districts near ARTIC, Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, Secs. 402 hand illumination refresh rate, scrolling and brightness, plus the hours an illuminated sign may operate, to a coordinated sign program filed with the Planning Director rather than a fixed citywide number, so those districts can run brighter or later than the base 250-foot-lambert standard allows elsewhere in the city.