Fresno County, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance § 830.3.060(E)
- Animated/flashing signs
- Prohibited countywide
- Exception
- Time, temperature, weather displays only
- Signal-color lights
- Also prohibited near traffic devices
- Applies in
- All zoning districts, unincorporated county
Summary
Fresno County prohibits blinking, flashing, rotating, or animated signs countywide, including electronic message displays, with a narrow carve-out for time, temperature, and weather information. Illuminated signs also cannot use colors that mimic traffic signals.
The following signs shall be prohibited in all zones: ... E. Blinking, flashing, rotating, or animated signs, except time, temperature, and weather information displays. F. No red, green, or amber lights or illuminated signs that could interfere with or be confused with any official traffic control device or traffic signal or official directional guide signs.
Full Breakdown
The Fresno County Zoning Ordinance addresses electronic and digital signage through its prohibited-signs list rather than a permit scheme tailored to billboards. 3, bars 'blinking, flashing, rotating, or animated signs' in every zoning district in the unincorporated county, carving out only 'time, temperature, and weather information displays' under subsection E. That means a digital billboard or electronic message center that cycles static messages without blinking or animation effects could fit within the ordinance's general sign standards, but any board that flashes, scrolls with motion effects, or otherwise animates its content is prohibited outright.
The same section separately bars red, green, or amber lights or illuminated signs that could interfere with or be confused with an official traffic control device, traffic signal, or directional guide sign, a rule that reaches internally lit electronic displays using those colors near roadways. 060 applies in all zones rather than being waivable district by district. 3 and would treat an installed animated sign as a code violation subject to removal.
Violations & Fines
Installing a blinking, flashing, rotating, or animated sign, or an illuminated sign using red, green, or amber colors that could be mistaken for traffic signals, violates Section 830.3.060 in every zoning district and can result in a county order to remove or de-energize the sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a digital billboard in unincorporated Fresno County?
Are scrolling electronic message signs allowed?
Why can't my sign use red or green lights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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