Tallahassee, FL Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Red brightness limit
- 300 cd/sq ft day, 100 night
- Green brightness limit
- 600 day, 200 night
- Amber brightness limit
- 450 day, 150 night
- Blue brightness limit
- 800 day, 350 night
- All colors combined
- 650 day, 250 night
- Cure window
- 30 days to fix after notice (§ 7-39)
Summary
Digital billboards in Tallahassee can't glow as bright as their operator likes. Land Development Code § 7-64(f)(6)(g) sets numeric candela-per-square-foot ceilings for variable message off-site advertising signs, roughly cut in half between day and night, and split further by the color being shown.
Illumination of a variable message sign shall not exceed the following brightness limits measured as candelas per square feet at any focal point on any roadway or berm or any vehicular approach to any roadway: Day Night Red 300 100 Green 600 200 Amber 450 150 Blue 800 350 All Colors 650 250
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Development Code: Supplement 75 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).
Full Breakdown
" The table sets red at 300 candelas by day and 100 at night, green at 600 day and 200 night, amber at 450 day and 150 night, blue at 800 day and 350 night, and all colors combined at 650 day and 250 night. The same subsection also requires each message to display for a minimum of six seconds, limits the transition between messages to a maximum of two seconds, requires the whole sign face to change simultaneously, and bars flashing lights, traveling messages, or animation.
On-site electronic reader boards face an identical brightness table under § 7-70(c)(6), so the candela limits apply whether the digital display advertises the property it sits on or is a billboard advertising elsewhere.
Violations & Fines
The growth management department can revoke a variable message sign's permit under § 7-39 if the holder fails to correct a brightness violation within 30 days of written notice. An unpermitted change to a sign's illumination is separately unlawful under § 7-31(b), and a noncompliant sign can be ordered removed under § 7-104.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can a digital billboard be in Tallahassee at night?
Do brightness limits apply to every electronic sign in Tallahassee?
What happens if a billboard operator exceeds the brightness limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tallahassee
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tallahassee to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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