Roseville, MN Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Section 1010.10 of the Roseville City Code sets the operating standards for every sign that uses a dynamic display in whole or in part. The brightness ceiling is 6,500 nits during daylight hours and 500 nits between dusk and dawn, and the dimmer control must produce a distinct drop in illumination across the window from one half-hour before sunset to one half-hour after sunrise. Content rules limit the light as well: each full image or portion must hold for a minimum of 12 seconds as a static display, changes must happen by instantaneous repixelization, and no portion may fluctuate in light intensity, strobe, twinkle or create the illusion of movement.

Video-style motion is also barred. Every display must be built to freeze in one position if it malfunctions and must have a means to shut off immediately. Existing lawful pre-existing nonconforming billboards can convert to a dynamic display only with a permit and only if the sign owner signs an agreement with the city on design and operation. That agreement must give the city no less than 20 hours per month per display for community and public service messages. The converted display can occupy 100 percent of the existing copy and graphic area, must be oriented toward and within 150 feet of the right-of-way of Interstate 35W, Highway 280 or Highway 36, and cannot exceed 35 feet in height above the grade of the existing sign base.

The city manager can require a visual impact analysis before the permit issues if the display could have a detrimental visual impact on a residence, residential neighborhood, city park or other open space. The section was adopted by Ord. No. 1606 in 2021 and amended by Ord. Nos. 1687 and 1689 in 2025.