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Ventura, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Prohibited
Changeable copy, flashing/blinking, moving signs
Citation
Muni Code § 24.420.270(A)(C)(E)
Definition section
§ 24.110.360
Exemptions
Marquees, church/school boards, gas price signs
Enforcement
Chapter 24.580 code enforcement
Adopted
Ord. No. 2008-004 (2008)

Summary

The City of Ventura bans digital and electronic changeable-copy billboards under its zoning code. Section 24.420.270 lists "changeable copy signs," "flashing or blinking signs," and "moving signs" among prohibited sign types citywide, and Section 24.110.360 defines a changeable copy sign as one whose letters or advertising material can be readily interchanged, exempting only theater marquees, church/school information boards, and service station price signs.

24.110.360 Changeable copy sign. ... A sign constructed so that the letters or other advertising material upon it can be readily interchanged, but not including theater marquees, information boards at churches, schools, and public service organizations, and service station price signs. ... 24.420.270 Prohibited signs. ... The following types of signs shall be prohibited: A. Changeable copy sign. ... C. Flashing or blinking sign. ... E. Moving sign.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-008, passed May 12, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Ventura's zoning code flatly forbids digital billboards and other changeable-message signage anywhere in the city. 270, adopted by Ordinance No. 420's sign regulations with a list of prohibited sign types: changeable copy signs (subsection A), combination signs (B), flashing or blinking signs (C), mobile signs (D), moving signs (E), pole signs outside the exceptions in the chapter (F), portable signs (G), and roof signs (H). 360: any sign built so its letters or advertising material can be readily interchanged. That definition carves out only three uses: theater marquees, information boards at churches, schools and public service organizations, and service station price signs, none of which cover a commercial LED billboard.

Because an electronic message board also flashes, blinks or scrolls, it can independently violate the separate bans on flashing/blinking signs and moving signs in the same section. 580's code enforcement provisions to unsafe or noncomplying signs. 280, which force conformance once a sign is altered, moved, or the site undergoes exterior renovation exceeding 25 percent of assessed value or $15,000.

Violations & Fines

Operating or installing a changeable copy, flashing, blinking or moving sign, such as a digital billboard, violates Section 24.420.270 and is enforced as a zoning violation. Community Development and code enforcement can order removal, and unsafe or noncomplying signs are subject to the enforcement provisions of Chapter 24.580, which authorizes civil citations and abatement in addition to any other penalties and remedies provided by law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are digital billboards allowed in Ventura?
No. Section 24.420.270(A) prohibits "changeable copy signs" citywide, and Section 24.110.360 defines that term to include any sign whose letters or advertising can be readily interchanged, which covers LED and digital billboard displays. Only theater marquees, church/school information boards and service station price signs are exempted from the definition.
What about electronic message boards that scroll or flash?
They violate two separate prohibitions in Section 24.420.270: the ban on flashing or blinking signs in subsection C and the ban on moving signs in subsection E, in addition to the changeable copy sign ban in subsection A.
What happens to signs installed before the sign ordinance took effect?
Signs lawfully existing on April 16, 1981 may continue as nonconforming signs under Section 24.420.280, but must be brought into conformance once altered, relocated, or the site undergoes exterior work exceeding 25 percent of assessed value or $15,000.
Who enforces Ventura's sign rules?
The Community Development Department reviews sign permits under Chapter 24.420, and noncomplying or unsafe signs are subject to Chapter 24.580's code enforcement provisions, referenced directly in Section 24.420.290(C).

Sources & Official References

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