Chico, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- CS district or assembly use
- Change rate
- no more than once/10 sec
- Brightness cap
- 0.3 fc above ambient
- Night dimming
- photocell/timer required
Summary
Chico confines digital reader boards to assembly-use sites or the CS zoning district, requires static images, and imposes a brightness cap.
Changeable Copy Signs, Reader Boards, and Digital Reader Boards. Such signs shall only be allowed on nonresidential property which contains an approved assembly use, when specifically allowed by state or federal law, or in the CS zoning district... Any digital reader boards shall display static (unanimated) images and/or copy... changed no more than once per ten seconds. Digital reader boards shall not be brighter than... 0.3 footcandles above ambient light...and shall be equipped with a photocell, timer, or other similar device which automatically dims the display during nighttime hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico's standards for specific sign types restrict changeable-copy signs, reader boards, and digital reader boards to nonresidential property with an approved assembly use, uses specifically allowed by state or federal law, or the CS (Commercial Service) zoning district, meaning a general commercial or residential property cannot install one. Any digital reader board must display static, unanimated images or copy, defined as content that changes no more than once every ten seconds, animation and scrolling text are barred. Brightness is capped at the ISA-recommended limit for Electronic Message Center signs, or 0.3 footcandles above ambient light, and units must carry a photocell or timer to dim automatically at night.
Violations & Fines
Digital reader boards outside the permitted zones/uses, or that animate faster than once per ten seconds or exceed the brightness cap, are code violations; the Development Services Department can order the display brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a digital billboard anywhere in Chico?
Can a Chico digital sign scroll or animate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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