Columbia County, FL Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Section 4.2.22.4 of the Land Development Regulations, the prohibited signs list within the county's sign article, does not name digital or electronic billboards specifically but its two general prohibitions functionally block the animated display features that define them. The traffic and pedestrian hazard clause prohibits any sign that constitutes a hazard by reason of its movement, coloring, or method of illumination, and separately states that the use of flashing or revolving red, green, blue, or amber lights is prohibited in any sign as constituting a hazard to traffic, along with any sign that by glare or illumination method constitutes a traffic hazard.

A second, separately numbered prohibition in the same section targets glare directly: illuminated signs that result in glare or reflection of light on residential property in the surrounding area are barred outright, regardless of traffic safety. Because a scrolling or full-motion digital billboard necessarily changes its illuminated image, it falls squarely within the flashing-light and glare prohibitions as written, even absent a rule using the word digital. The broader sign article requires a building permit from the land development regulation administrator for any non-exempt sign under section 4.2.22.5, caps most sign heights at 35 feet under a separate item in the same prohibited-signs list, and treats off-site signs, the category that would cover a billboard advertising a business elsewhere, as prohibited except where specifically permitted.

Enforcement runs through the Building and Zoning Department, which can deny or revoke a sign permit and refer a noncompliant illuminated sign to the special magistrate.