Legal

Court Victory in Kentucky; Scenic Has No “Standing”

A unanimous three-judge appeals court said Scenic Kentucky cannot challenge the state’s regulation of digital billboards and vegetation control because Scenic does not have “standing” in court. Background In late 2015, the Kentucky Legislature approved bills to regulate digital billboards and allow vegetation control along roadways. Scenic Kentucky challenged both […]

California Flirts With Ads on the Highway

Some bad ideas simply refuse to go away.  California wants to get into the billboard business by selling licensing rights to display color changeable-message ads on the highway public right of way. Advertising revenue would pay to replace aging traffic signs with modern LED displays and also pump new revenue […]

Should a billboard hold up development?

Should a billboard hold up development?  That’s the provocative headline of a Post Bulletin article.  Fairway has a legal two sided conforming billboard on the site pictured above in downtown Rochester, Minnesota.  EKN Development wants to add an 8 story building on the site and has approached Rochester to ask for […]

Will California Put the Brakes on Data?

The leader of the national advertisers’ group flagged a potential future headache for those who use consumer data to better target ads:  a populist pro-privacy proposal in bellwether California. Bob Liodice, CEO of the Association of National Advertisers, was the wrap-up keynoter on May 9 at the 2018 Geopath/OAAA OOH […]

Regulatory Roundup: May 11, 2018

The Morning Call reports the Nazareth Borough Council is concerned about a digital billboard which Abe Atiyeh wants to construct at Route 248 and Green Street.  He was granted a variance for the digital billboard in June 2017.  The board thinks the sign is a safety issue because it is […]

Transit Update: Free Speech Challenge in Philly, Transit Tax Fails in Nashville

Free Speech Challenge in Philly Another major transit system faces a First Amendment challenge to restrictions on controversial advertising. On May 2, the Center for Investigative Reporting sued the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which had rejected the Center’s application as political issue-based advertising. The plaintiff, based in California, is […]

Digital Billboard Variance Sought in Westminster, CA

The OC Register reports that Electra Media Inc. has asked the Westminster planning commission for a variance to construct a 64 foot tall double-sided digital billboard  west of the Springdale street overpass on the southwest side of the I-22 freeway in Westminster, CA.  The town’s sign code limits signs to 35 […]

Highway rights of way for sale?

Hunger for new money to pay for roads and bridges continues to push government to offer pieces of the public right of way for sale.  This is worrisome in that it creates state-sponsored advertising which will compete with your out of home business. Here’s the latest: 1.) What just happened […]

The Digital Billboard That Isn’t

    Seattle may have a ban on digital billboards but Seattle Mag reports that a building at fourth and union is testing the limits of the city’s sign ordinance.  The building is owned by Ann and Danny Schnitzer.  Ann Schnitzer is the registered agent of Sun Outdoor and Danny […]

Progress in Wisconsin on Billboard Maintenance

By Kerry Yoakum In an important victory, Wisconsin has clarified repair and maintenance standards for nonconforming billboards, which comprise more than half of the billboard inventory in the state. On April 16, Governor Scott Walker signed legislation supported by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Wisconsin, led by executive director Kathi […]