<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 17-406 Billboards.">
  <section prefix="§" num="17-406" heading="Billboards.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="General prohibitions.">
      <para num="(1)">Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Code, the erection, conversion, placement, or construction of new billboards, static or digital, is prohibited.</para>
      <para num="(2)">No billboard may have audio speakers or any audio component.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Digital billboard defined.">In this section, “digital billboard” means any billboard that is also an electronic sign.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="New billboards.">
      <para num="(1)">New billboards are only allowed in an Area of Special Signage Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">In addition:<para num="(i)">new non-digital billboards may only be located in a C-1, C-1-E, C-1-VC, C-5-DC, or PC Zoning District and may not exceed 50 square feet; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">new digital billboards are subject to the following requirements:<para num="(A)">they may only be located in a C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, TOD-4, or PC Zoning District;</para>
          <para num="(B)">digital animation, streaming video, or images that move or give the appearance of movement are only allowed as described in the approved Signage Plan; and.</para>
          <para num="(C)">all digital billboards must have ambient light monitors that  automatically adjust the brightness level of the billboard based on ambient light conditions.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">Billboards may only be integrated into any other sign type listed in &lt;em&gt;Table 17-201: Sign Regulations &lt;/em&gt;for that zoning district.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Conversion of existing non-digital billboards.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">An existing non-digital billboard may be converted to a digital billboard only if:<para num="(i)">it is accompanied by documentation that at least 3 existing billboard faces in the City have been removed for each new digital billboard face to be placed or erected;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">each message or image displayed on the digital billboard must be static or follow standards for electronic signs;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">digital animation, streaming video, or images that move or give the appearance of movement are prohibited;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">the digital billboard has ambient light monitors that automatically adjust the brightness level of the billboard based on ambient light conditions;</para>
        <para num="(v)">the billboard does not have audio speakers or any audio component;</para>
        <para num="(vi)">the new digital billboard is not relocated by more than 15 feet in any direction from its original location;</para>
        <para num="(vii)">each billboard being removed is a minimum of 100 square feet; and</para>
        <para num="(viii)">the applicant submits proof of current billboard tax payment at the time of application for conversion.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Printed billboard removal credit.">
        <para num="(i)">The Zoning Administrator shall maintain an account of removals of existing printed billboards and shall credit the account of the owner of a printed billboard for each printed billboard that is removed.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">In order to document the removal of a printed billboard, the owner shall submit to the Zoning Administrator a copy of the conversion permit for the removal of the billboard and photographs documenting the removal.</para>
        <para num="(iii)">A printed billboard removal credit may be reserved and used by the original owner of the credit within 5 years after the removal of the printed billboard.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Exclusions.">An existing billboard may not be converted to a digital billboard if:<para num="(1)">it is attached to a building that is 35 feet or less in height;</para>
      <para num="(2)">it is a pole mounted billboard that is 35 feet or less in height; or</para>
      <para num="(3)">it is located in or within 250 feet of a residential district.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord.18-216</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
