Outdoor Advertising Regulations in Los Angeles

Outdoor advertising in Los Angeles is regulated by a variety of laws and ordinances, both at the state and local levels. The following is a summary of the most important regulations, with references to specific laws:

Statewide Regulations

The Outdoor Advertising Act (OAA), which is codified in California Business and Professions Code sections 5200-5486, is the primary state law that regulates outdoor advertising. The OAA establishes a number of restrictions on the placement of outdoor advertising signs, including:

• Size and placement: Outdoor advertising signs in California cannot be larger than 672 square feet in size and cannot be located within 660 feet of an interstate highway or 500 feet of a primary highway. (BPC § 5401)
• Content: Outdoor advertising signs in California cannot contain certain types of content, such as obscenity, pornography, or false or misleading information. (BPC § 5412)
• Permits: All outdoor advertising signs in California require a permit. Permits can be obtained from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). (BPC § 5302)

Local Regulations

The City of Los Angeles also has a number of local ordinances that regulate outdoor advertising. These ordinances are more restrictive than the state law in some areas. For example, the city’s billboard ordinance (LAMC § 22.114) prohibits billboards from being located within 100 feet of another billboard, school, park, or other public facility.

How to Comply with Outdoor Advertising Regulations in Los Angeles

If you are considering placing an outdoor advertising sign in Los Angeles, it is important to consult with Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances.

Specific Laws

Here are some specific laws that regulate outdoor advertising in Los Angeles:

• Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 22.114: This section of the LAMC establishes the general requirements for outdoor advertising signs in Los Angeles, including size, placement, and content requirements.
• LAMC Section 22.114.030: This section of the LAMC prohibits outdoor advertising signs from being located within 100 feet of another billboard, bus shelter, or other outdoor advertising sign.
• LAMC Section 22.114.040: This section of the LAMC prohibits outdoor advertising signs from being located within 500 feet of a school, park, or other public facility.
• LAMC Section 22.114.050: This section of the LAMC prohibits outdoor advertising signs from containing certain types of content, such as obscenity, pornography, or false or misleading information.
• LAMC Section 22.114.060: This section of the LAMC requires all outdoor advertising signs in Los Angeles to have a permit. Permits can be obtained from the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services.

Conclusion

Outdoor advertising can be a very effective way to promote your business or products in Los Angeles. However, it is important to be aware of the regulations that govern outdoor advertising in the state and in the city. By following the tips above, you can help to ensure that your outdoor advertising campaign is compliant with all applicable laws and ordinances.