Rohnert Park, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Conditional use permit (CUP)
- Eligible locations
- Public property near major arterial/highway
- Area/height/illumination
- Set case-by-case by CUP
- Private-site digital billboards
- Barred as off-site signs
- Governing section
- RPMC § 17.27.100(C)
Summary
Rohnert Park allows electronic message center signs only on publicly owned property next to a major arterial or highway, and every dimension is left to a discretionary conditional use permit rather than a fixed size or brightness limit.
C.Electronic Message Centers.1.Area. Determined by conditional use permit.2.Height. Determined by conditional use permit.3.Illumination. Determined by conditional use permit.4.Location. Publicly owned properties located adjacent to a major arterial or highway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
100(C), "Electronic Message Centers," is a special sign type standard layered on top of the chapter's general rules. 27, which get fixed maximum area, height and illumination figures, electronic message centers have their area, height and illumination all determined case by case through a conditional use permit, meaning there is no by-right digital sign in Rohnert Park; every one requires discretionary planning approval. Location is also restricted by use: electronic message centers are limited to publicly owned properties located adjacent to a major arterial or highway, which rules out digital displays on ordinary private commercial parcels citywide.
100(C) only opens the door for publicly owned electronic displays in the specific arterial/highway-adjacent location described. Any conditional use permit application for an electronic message center follows the standard CUP review path in the zoning code, giving the planning commission discretion over the specific area, height and illumination conditions before installation.
Violations & Fines
Installing an electronic message center sign without first securing a conditional use permit, or on a site that is not publicly owned property adjacent to a major arterial or highway, is a violation of Chapter 17.27. Section 17.27.130 makes that an infraction under the Chapter 1.16 General Penalty, and the city can pursue removal as a nuisance abatement under Chapter 1.24 or as an illegal sign under Section 17.27.120, which requires written notice and gives no less than fifteen days to cure before further enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business put up a digital sign in Rohnert Park?
Is there a size limit for electronic message centers in Rohnert Park?
Are digital billboards allowed along Highway 101 in Rohnert Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rohnert Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Rohnert Park to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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