St. Johns County, FL Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- on-premise ground signs, nonresidential only
- Size cap
- 40% of display area or 30 sq ft, less of
- Change rate
- copy change no more than once per 2 hours
- Brightness cap
- 0.3 footcandles over ambient light
- True billboards
- digital/animated displays banned outright
Summary
St. Johns County effectively bars digital billboards: LDC § 7.01.03 bans flashing or animated lighting on any billboard face outright. What the code allows instead is a narrow on-premise device, the Automatic Changeable Message Device, permitted only as a ground sign on nonresidential property and tightly capped in size, brightness and how often it can change.
Automatic Changeable Message Devices shall be allowable only on an on-premise ground sign in a nonresidential project and shall count towards the maximum allowable ADA. All such signs shall be subject to the following conditions, which may not be waived or varied: 1. The sign or portion of the sign that is an automatic changeable message device shall not be greater than forty percent (40%) of the overall ADA for a sign and shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet, whichever is less; 2. No animated messages, including flashing or frame effect, blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, or any other effect that gives the appearance of movement; 3. The face or copy of the sign shall not change more than once every two (2) hours and must change simultaneously for the entire sign face; 4. Shall comply with illumination standards in section 7.00.06.C Additionally, no Automatic Changeable Message Device Sign shall be illuminated at a level greater than 0.3 foot candles over ambient light levels.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Because Sec. 03's Movement clause forbids Flashing, Scintillating, Beacon, or Running Lights, or Animated Copy on any billboard, no billboard structure in unincorporated St. Johns County can carry a digital or electronic display. The only digital sign technology the Land Development Code authorizes is the Automatic Changeable Message Device (ACMD) under Sec. 04, and only as an on-premise ground sign in a nonresidential project; it counts toward the site's maximum Advertising Display Area. Four conditions apply and none may be waived or varied: the ACMD portion cannot exceed 40 percent of the sign's overall display area or 30 square feet, whichever is less; no animated messages, flashing, frame effects, blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, or any appearance of movement are allowed; the copy cannot change more than once every two hours and must change simultaneously across the whole face; and illumination must meet Sec.
3 footcandles over ambient light, measured 150 feet from the source at least 30 minutes after sunset. A Sign Permit from Growth Management is required before installation under Sec. 08, issued only to licensed sign contractors or a qualifying owner-installer.
Violations & Fines
An ACMD that changes copy faster than once every two hours, exceeds the 40 percent/30 square foot cap, or runs brighter than 0.3 footcandles over ambient is a non-compliant sign. Under LDC § 7.00.09, violations of Article VII are prosecuted like a misdemeanor under Fla. Stat. § 125.69 but limited to civil penalties, with each day of non-compliance a separate violation, and the County may also use Chapter 162 code enforcement or an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business put up a digital billboard in St. Johns County?
How often can an electronic sign's message change?
How big can a digital changeable sign be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Johns County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Johns County to another location·View the Florida sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.