Jefferson Parish, LA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Section 40-682(3) of the parish zoning code treats every electronic variable message (EVM) sign, on-premises or off-premises, as a lighting fixture as well as a sign. Before an EVM sign goes up, its ambient light sensors must already be installed, and they have to auto-adjust brightness to the surrounding light instead of running at a fixed level. At permit application, the sign manufacturer must certify in writing that the sensors are installed, that intensity is preset within the code's limits, and that the setting is locked behind password-protected software so the end user can't override it.

3 foot-candle above ambient light. If the sign malfunctions, it must freeze on a preset static message and either drop to that 323-candela ceiling or go dark entirely; it can't fail bright. EVM signs may not emit audible sound, and the technology is barred outright on temporary signs, portable signs, animated signs and vehicle-mounted signs used to dodge the rest of the sign code. m. Off-premises EVM billboards carry an additional layer of spacing and residential-setback rules under section 40-684(h)(2), covered separately on this site's digital-billboard page; this page covers only the brightness and glare standard that applies to every EVM sign parish-wide.