Palm Springs, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Animated/flashing signs
- Prohibited outright, Sec. 93.20.04(B)(1)
- Off-premises signs/billboards
- Prohibited citywide, Sec. 93.20.04(B)(3)
- Relocation exception
- Existing off-site displays only, via Bus. & Prof. Code Sec. 5412 agreement
- Enforcement section
- Sec. 93.20.13
- Penalty basis
- Municipal Code Ch. 1.01, 1.06 plus nuisance abatement Sec. 93.20.11
Summary
Palm Springs bans digital and animated billboards outright. Section 93.20.04(B) of the Sign Ordinance prohibits any sign that rotates, moves, flashes, reflects or blinks, and separately prohibits every off-premises sign, billboard and poster advertising a use, product or service not actually on the site where the sign stands.
1. Rotating, Moving, Flashing, Reflecting, Prismatic, or Blinking Signs. Animated Signs, including without limitation signs which rotate, move flash, reflect, blink or appear to do any of the foregoing shall be prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to signs twisted or twirled by individuals, flags, banners, pennants, inflatable objects and balloons, unless otherwise authorized in Section 93.20.08 or approved as a permanent architectural feature pursuant to Section 94.04.00 (Architectural review), or Section 93.20.10 (Signs—General Provisions). ... ... 3. Off-Premises Signs, Billboards, and Posters. Any sign which advertises a use not being made on the premises, the name of the owner or user, or which identifies a product, an interest, service, or entertainment not available on the premises shall be prohibited unless otherwise authorized in conjunction with a public transportation facility;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
04(B) hits digital billboards from two directions. Subsection (B)(1) bans "Rotating, Moving, Flashing, Reflecting, Prismatic, or Blinking Signs," defined to include "Animated Signs" of any kind that rotate, move, flash, reflect, blink, or "appear to do any of the foregoing," language broad enough to cover an LED message board cycling through static frames. Subsection (B)(3) separately bans "Off-Premises Signs, Billboards, and Posters" advertising a use, owner, product or service not offered on the premises, unless tied to a public transportation facility. 08(O) lets an existing off-site advertising display relocate to industrial- or commercial-zoned property under Business and Professions Code Section 5412 and a negotiated relocation agreement with the City Council, but that relocation right does not exempt the display from the separate ban on animated or flashing faces, so a relocated billboard still cannot go digital. 04(A).
Violations & Fines
Section 93.20.13(A) makes any Sign Ordinance violation "subject to criminal sanctions and administrative penalties pursuant to Chapters 1.01 and 1.06" of the Municipal Code, and remedies are cumulative with other civil and criminal law under 93.20.13(B). An illegal digital or off-premises sign is also a public nuisance under Section 93.20.11, subject to a written non-compliance notice, an amortization or immediate-abatement schedule tied to the sign's permit value, and City recovery of removal and storage costs before the owner can reclaim it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business put up a digital billboard in Palm Springs?
Is there any way an existing billboard in Palm Springs can stay in place?
What happens if someone installs an illegal billboard in Palm Springs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
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