Carrollton, TX Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- New billboards
- Prohibited outright, § 151.12(E)
- Digital conversion
- Only via nonconforming-billboard permit, § 151.71
- Lighting limit
- No flashing, scintillating or varying intensity
- Face exchange ratio
- 3 static faces removed per 1 digital face
- State lighting rule
- 43 TAC §§ 21.252-21.260, Electronic Signs
- Maximum fine
- $500.00 under § 10.99(A)(1)(o)
Summary
Carrollton bans new commercial billboards outright under § 151.12(E) of the Sign Code, but lets a nonconforming billboard convert to digital under § 151.71 if its lighting stays within strict limits: static messages only, no flashing, scintillating or animated lighting, and compliance with the state's electronic-sign brightness rules in 43 Texas Administrative Code §§ 21.252-21.260.
Digital billboard. Any commercial billboard sign utilizing digital message technology, capable of changing the static message or copy on the sign electronically. Digital billboards shall contain static messages only, and shall not have animation, movement or the appearance or optical illusion of movement. Each static message shall not include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity. ... Commercial billboards as defined in section 151.05 are prohibited. ... Digital billboards signs must comply with title 43 Texas Administrative Code sections 21.252—21-260 "Electronic Signs," as amended. ... Both existing and new digital signs must comply with all lighting and safety standards mandated by federal, state, or local rules or statutes, including standards adopted or amended after the date of passage of these requirements. Lighting and safety standards include brightness; message duration; and proximity of the sign to other digital displays, ramps, and interchanges. ... For each digital sign face that is erected, three static full billboard sign faces within the city must be removed.
Full Breakdown
05 defines a 'digital billboard' as any commercial billboard using digital message technology to change its copy electronically, but caps what that technology may show: digital billboards must contain static messages only, with no animation, movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, and no static message may include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity. 12(E). 71(D)(1). 260, the state's 'Electronic Signs' rules, and both new and existing digital faces must meet all lighting and safety standards mandated by federal, state or local rules or statutes, expressly covering brightness, message duration, and how close the sign sits to other digital displays, ramps and interchanges.
Because state law caps how many digital billboards can exist along a given stretch of highway, the city ran a first-come application window in 2012 and said it would use a lottery if applications for compliant conversions outnumbered the state-allowed slots.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a new commercial billboard, or converting a nonconforming billboard's face to digital without an approved § 151.71 permit and the required 3-to-1 face removal, is a Sign Code violation punishable under § 10.99(A)(1)(o), which caps Chapter 151 fines at $500.00, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense under § 10.99(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new billboard be built in Carrollton?
Can an old billboard be converted to a digital display?
What lighting rules apply to digital billboards?
Is there a cap on how many digital billboards Carrollton allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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Billboard Lighting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle billboard lighting.