Jacksonville, FL Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum static hold
- 8 seconds
- Max transition time
- 1 second
- Banned in
- all residential districts
- Also banned in
- CO and CRO districts
- Noncompliant sign
- contraband, civil forfeiture
Summary
Jacksonville regulates digital billboards as "changing message devices": electronic content must hold static at least eight seconds and switch in one second or less, with no flashing on malfunction, and the devices are banned outright in every residential district and in CO/CRO office districts.
Changing message device means any sign with fixed boundaries, frames or edges visible from a public right-of-way or approved private street that either... Changes electronically under the following conditions: (i)The entire portion of the sign that can change shall be static and unchanging for at least eight seconds. (ii)The time to completely change the entire portion of the sign that can change is a maximum of one second... (iv)There shall be a default design that will ensure no flashing, intermittent message or any other apparent movement that is displayed should a malfunction occur.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance Code Sec. 656.1302(c) defines a "changing message device" as any fixed-frame sign that either scrolls text for up to eight seconds with an eight-second break, or changes electronically if the display stays static at least eight seconds, completes any change in one second or less, changes simultaneously across the whole face, and defaults to no flashing or apparent movement on malfunction. Sec. 656.1303(i)(3) allows changing message devices as part of any otherwise-allowable sign unless a district specifically bans them. Sec. 656.1303(a)(4) bans them in all residential zoning districts (RR, RLD, RMD-A through E, RHD), and Sec. 656.1303(c)(4) bans them additionally in CO and CRO office districts. Devices that don't meet the timing test are treated as prohibited "animated," "flashing," or "revolving" signs under Sec. 656.1303(l)(5).
Violations & Fines
A noncompliant sign structure is declared contraband and subject to civil forfeiture to the City (Sec. 656.1303(o)); a violation is proved by conviction, including a plea of nolo contendere or a withhold of adjudication, or in a separate civil action seeking forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are digital billboards legal in Jacksonville?
How fast can a Jacksonville digital sign change its message?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida sign regulations overview
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