San Jose Municipal Code Title 23 caps billboard luminance, requires automatic dimming after dusk, and prohibits animation or flashing. The Highway Advertising Control Act and Caltrans separately enforce statewide brightness rules on digital billboards visible from California freeways.
Lighted billboards in San Jose must comply with SJMC Title 23 standards on illumination, plus statewide rules under the California Outdoor Advertising Act and Caltrans regulations. Static billboards may be externally lit by shielded fixtures aimed only at the sign face, with no off-site spillover. Digital LED billboards, where allowed, are required to dim automatically after sunset to a much lower nit level, hold each message for a minimum dwell time (commonly 8 seconds), and avoid animation, video, scrolling, or flashing. Caltrans inspects freeway-visible displays and can shut down billboards that exceed brightness limits or interfere with traffic safety. San Jose Code Enforcement responds to off-freeway complaints.
Operating a billboard above brightness limits or with animation triggers SJMC Title 23 enforcement: notice to comply, administrative citations, and daily fines. Caltrans can require shutoff or removal of non-compliant freeway-visible displays under Business and Professions Code §5400.
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