Tips to Help You Acquire Digital Billboard Permits

It can be a challenge to obtain a digital billboard permit for an ideal location that reaches areas with high traffic volume. Working with your local municipality can be easier if you follow these key tips.

Digital billboard locations require permits from both the state and local municipalities. It requires a little more work than an on premise sign permit, but the payoff of maximizing exposure and impressions on your board’s advertisements is worth it. First, you need to sell the concept of your location and how the local government will benefit from it. We recommend these three points to take with you to your first meeting.

1.  Demonstrate how the proposed board will increase revenue for a company, and as a result will increase the taxes your company will be paying to the city or county. Advertising for retail establishments in your area benefits their bottom line, which also increases sales tax revenue.

2.  Increased business leads to job creation, so the local workforce benefits too.

3.  In an emergency, your digital billboard can quickly inform the community about Amber, Blue or Silver Alerts. It also can help assist local police and federal authorities in capturing fugitives by sharing current pictures and information. Only a digital billboard can provide this community service. In fact, the OOH industry helps communities by donating more than $500 million in public service space each year.

Concerns that digital billboards are unsafe are unfounded. Federal and state studies determined they do not cause accidents, and confirm that digital billboards are safe.

Those concerned about the brightness of the display don’t need to worry. Watchfire’s digital billboards automatically adjust brightness levels under various lighting conditions (day, night, rain, or shine). The LEDs make digital billboards use less power than many traditional vinyl boards that have lights.

FCC compliance is an important factor for digital billboard structures proposed at new locations. Nearly all digital signs manufactured in Asia fail to meet FCC standards on electromagnetic noise, which can wreak havoc with uplink signals to nearby cell towers. Watchfire’s products are verified to meet FCC regulations. We guarantee that our digital billboards meet all the FCC requirements and will not interfere with cell service, emergency services or FAA traffic.

Now you’re ready for your next zoning board meeting where you can apply these tips to help you acquire your next digital billboard permit. Learn more about billboard safety and zoning on our website, or contact your Watchfire representative for more information.