Kings County, CA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Light direction
- Must aim away from neighbors, traffic
- Banned colors
- No red, green, or amber lighting
- Zoning districts allowed
- CT, CS, CH, CN, IL, IH only
- Max copy area
- 450 sq ft per side
Summary
Outdoor and off-site advertising structures in unincorporated Kings County must aim their lighting away from neighboring properties, and can't use red, green, or amber illumination that could be mistaken for a traffic signal.
The lighting of any outdoor or off-site advertising structures permitted in accordance with this Section shall be limited or arranged to reflect light away from adjacent properties, passing vehicles and pedestrians.
D. No red, green or amber lights or illuminated signs may be placed in such position that they could reasonably be expected to interfere with or be confused with any official traffic control device or traffic signal or official directional guide signs.
E. The maximum aggregate copy area per site or per use shall be 450 square feet on each side of the Outdoor or Off-Site Advertising Structure.
F. Outdoor or off-site advertising structures may have copy on both sides of the structure, provided that the copy area on each side does not exceed the maximum area specified above.
G. Within the CH Zoning District, in the immediate area of interchanges along Interstate-5, the Planning Commission may approve through a Conditional Use Permit, illuminated signs advertising highway traveler services at that interchange which exceed the maximum copy area per site or per use allowed by this Section, Section 604.H. above and Article 14 of this Development Code. However, such advertising structures shall not be larger than is necessary to be clearly seen by travelers on Interstate 5. Outdoor or Off-Site Advertising Structures constructed in compliance with this Section shall be
Full Breakdown
Development Code Article 11 Section 1104 governs billboards and other off-site advertising structures, and two of its standards address lighting directly: any illumination on the sign must be limited or aimed so it doesn't spill onto adjacent properties, passing vehicles, or pedestrians, and the sign can't use red, green, or amber lights, or illuminated copy, positioned where it could be confused with an official traffic signal, control device, or directional guide sign. Billboards themselves are allowed only in the CT, CS, CH, CN, IL, and IH zoning districts.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that spills onto neighboring property or uses red, green, or amber illumination near a roadway violates Article 11 Section 1104 and can be ordered corrected or removed by the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a billboard in Kings County be lit at night?
Are red or green billboard lights allowed near a road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California outdoor lighting overview
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