Washington County, OR Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Brightness cap
- 0.3 foot-candles over ambient at 150 ft
- Message change limit
- No more than once per 10 seconds
- Required equipment
- Automatic ambient-light sensor
- Malfunction failsafe
- Freeze, black screen, or shutoff
- District allowed
- General Commercial (GC) only
Summary
Digital billboards permitted in Washington County's General Commercial District can only show static, unmoving messages and must cap brightness at 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light measured 150 feet away. Section 414-7.4 also requires an automatic light sensor and a fail-safe that freezes, blacks out or shuts off the display on malfunction.
414-7.4Digital billboards allowed pursuant to Section 414-2.2 G shall:A.Display only static messages that remain constant in illumination intensity and do not have movement or the appearance or optical illusion of movement;B.Not operate at an intensity level of more than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light as measured at a distance of 150 feet;C.Be equipped with a light sensor that automatically adjusts the intensity of the billboard according to the amount of ambient light;D.Be designed to either freeze the display in one static position, display a full black screen, or turn off in the event of a malfunction; andE.Provide evidence that best industry practices for eliminating or reducing uplight and light trespass were considered.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Community Development Code: Supplement 2 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
G's General Commercial District sign rules. 13 separately caps message changes at once every 10 seconds with the transition itself completing in 2 seconds or less. 3 foot-candles above ambient light as measured from 150 feet away, a brightness ceiling tied to nighttime glare rather than a flat lumens figure. Third, the sign must carry a light sensor that automatically dims or brightens the display to track ambient light conditions through the day and night. Fourth, the billboard's control system must default to one static frame, a full black screen, or a complete shutoff if the unit malfunctions, so a broken sign cannot flash or scroll uncontrolled.
Fifth, the applicant must show that best industry practices for reducing uplight and light trespass were considered in the design. C, and subject to the interchange and inter-sign spacing table in that same subsection. The lighting standards apply on top of, not instead of, those siting limits, and only within unincorporated Washington County.
Violations & Fines
A digital billboard that exceeds 0.3 foot-candles over ambient at 150 feet, lacks a light sensor, or fails to freeze or shut off on malfunction is out of compliance with Section 414-7.4 and Section 215-1's general prohibition on developing land in violation of the Code. The Director may deny or condition further permits on the site under Section 215-2, and the county prosecutes continuing violations under Chapter 1.14 of the Washington County Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can a digital billboard be in unincorporated Washington County?
What happens if a digital billboard malfunctions?
Where in the county can a digital billboard even be built?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
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