Electronic signage, (also called electronic signs or electronic displays), are illuminant advertising media in signage industry. Major electronic signage include fluorescent signs, HID (high intensity displays), incandescent signs, LED signs, and neon signs. Besides, LED signs and HID are so-called digital signage.
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Electronic signs may be used indoors or outdoors. The display technologies are varied and changing quickly. Because of new display technologies, electronic signs are able to present more clear, colorful, and vivid images. Animated electronic signs gradually replace traditional static signs and increasingly take signage market share.
| Type of Signage | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| Fluorescent | 47.3% | 46.9% | 46.3% |
| HID (High Intensity Display) | 1.9% | 2.4% | 2.0% |
| Incandescent | 2.0% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| LED | 3.9% | 6.2% | 7.2% |
| Neon | 43.0% | 41.3% | 41.7% |
| Others | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.9% |
It is not difficult to have an electronic sign for your business; however, it is not simple to get a permit to install an electronic sign. There are two terms for the advertising industry, off-premise advertising device and on-premise advertising device. Usually, there are different regulatory and zoning set up by different cities for different types of advertising media.
| Prohibitions on Signs... | ...with red, flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, unless it is a public service display | ...that are not sufficiently shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from causing a glare or vision impairment that affects driver vision | ...that are placed so as to obscure or interfere with traffic control devices | ...that are so illuminated as to obscure or interfere with traffic control devices | ...located on interstate or primary highway outside of zoning authority of incorporated cities within 500 ft of an interchange or intersection at grade or safety roadside rest area | ...other state highway says 300 ft limit | ...directional signs may not be located within 200 ft of an interstate, or intersection at grade along the interstate system or other freeway, or within 2,000 ft of a rest or scenic area or parkland | ...timing limit |
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| Alabama | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Alaska | ||||||||
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 sec-message display, 1 sec-message change | |
| Colorado
NOTE: prohibits signs which have a moveable advertising face permitting any change in sign content or message |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Florida | Yes | Yes | 1,500 ft on interstate; 1,000 ft on federal aid primary highway | |||||
| Georgia
NOTE: prohibits signs with moving orcertain conditions are met |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Message fixed for at least 10 sec, message changed in 3 sec or less, 5,000 ft spacing, default freezing sign if malfunction occurs | |
| Hawaii | ||||||||
| Idaho
NOTE: adds in blue lights |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes between displays on interstate or primary highway or public/scenic area; 1,000 ft from an interchange or rest area | Yes | Exposure time is long enough at maximum speed limit for sign message to be readable and comprehensible | ||
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Iowa
NOTE: prohibits animated or moving parts in a sign |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tri-vision signs 4 sec minimum display, 2 sec for transition | ||
| Indiana
NOTE: prohibits animated or moving parts |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Kansas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Kentucky
NOTE: prohibits animation and movement except for movement on and off of the sign |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Total message displayed within 10 sec, with each segment having a display time of 2 sec including change time | ||
| Louisiana
NOTE: statute obtained does not have information on restrictions |
Signs must be readily viewed for a time of 5 sec from the roadway at posted speed limit | |||||||
| Maine | ||||||||
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Massachusetts
NOTE: prohibitions appear to be adopted by reference incorporating federal regulations |
Not more than 3 rotating or alternate messages may be displayed on a sign | |||||||
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, 350 ft | ||
| Missouri | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Montana | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| New Hampshire
NOTE: statute has no language on any prohibitions or restrictions |
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| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Minimum display time of 6 sec, maximum change interval of 3 sec | ||
| New Mexico
NOTE: prohibits animation or moving parts |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| New Jersey
NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Minimum message time of 4 sec, maximum change time of 2 sec | |
| New York
NOTE: prohibits animation or moving parts except for public service announcement |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Ohio
NOTE: no statutory information obtained |
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| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Rhode Island
NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts |
Yes | Yes | Yes, 750 ft | Yes, 250 ft | ||||
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Viewing time 5 sec from roadside when traveling at speed limit | ||
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, 1,000 ft | Yes, 500 ft | Yes | ||
| Texas
NOTE: no statutory literature included in file |
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| Vermont | ||||||||
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Washington
NOTE: prohibits animation and moving parts |
Yes | Yes | Yes | If sign change exceed 4 sec, turn sign off during change | ||||
| Washington, DC | ||||||||
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Change time of 5 sec maximum without written approval | |||
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Total of 42 states | 36 | 36 | 15 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 22 |
Note: 10 states prohibit animation or moving parts except for public service announcement