6/23/35 Is San Diego about to welcome digital billboards for the first time?A City Council proposal could generate $3 million a year — and a lot of public backlash.
Cash-strapped San Diego’s aggressive search for more revenue includes a new plan to generate $3 million a year by allowing controversial digital billboards for the first time.
In addition to generating revenue, the plan would allow the replacement of dozens of static, old-fashioned billboards with a much smaller number of digital billboards in more strategic locations, city officials say.
Critics say digital billboards — which have been rejected by La Mesa and several North County cities in recent years — could make parts of San Diego look like an amusement park or a miniature Times Square.
Digital billboards, which are typically two-sided, feature bright electronic images that change as often as every four seconds as they cycle through various ads or public service messages. Read the full article on SD Union-Tribune.
In addition to generating revenue, the plan would allow the replacement of dozens of static, old-fashioned billboards with a much smaller number of digital billboards in more strategic locations, city officials say.
Critics say digital billboards — which have been rejected by La Mesa and several North County cities in recent years — could make parts of San Diego look like an amusement park or a miniature Times Square.
Digital billboards, which are typically two-sided, feature bright electronic images that change as often as every four seconds as they cycle through various ads or public service messages. Read the full article on SD Union-Tribune.
6/22/25 San Diegans STILL Say NO to Digital Billboards!
San Diegans are again facing down the special interests, misguided leaders, and outdoor advertising companies who want to bring the light and sound pollution of digital billboards to our city. Allowing this action opens the floodgates for much more egregious outdoor advertising that will make our beautiful city look more like Las Vegas than the classy, cosmopolitan city we know and love. Outdoor advertising has many negative side effects including driver safety, wildlife harm, light pollution, and privacy invasion. Unfortunately, several members of the City Council are now pushing to alter our sign ordinance to allow for digital billboards in exchange for their unsubstantiated estimate of $3 million dollars in annual revenue - a drop in the bucket for what is needed to address the city's budget gap. Why oppose this? Because changing the sign ordinance has wide-ranging impacts far beyond this initial action. If you love San Diego, say NO to digital billboards by contacting your local representative. Take action.
6/20/25 What's in it for them?
City mayors and councilmembers vote to expand outdoor advertising not for the miniscule sums added to the city budget, but because ad men reward compliant politicians with massive billboards endorsing their campaigns for office. After digital ad kiosks were pushed by Mayor Gloria and guided to passage in 2023 by Councilman Stephen Whitburn, the Outfront Media PAC rewarded both with huge billboards urging residents to re-elect Gloria and Whitburn.
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Public officials who advocated for digital billboards in Los Angeles have subsequently received huge political contributions. It's no mystery what's in it for them. These companies are preying on San Diego using tried and true tactics. Read the full article on the Los Angeles Times: latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-30/
Where do our Council Members stand?
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 6/24/25 Download an overview of council member digital pollution votes.
Meanwhile, what has San Diego earned from invasive ad kiosks now sprouting on downtown sidewalks? Less than $10,000 to date, according to data Scenic San Diego received from the Independent Budget Analyst’s office. That’s compared to about $604,500 per year projected for the general fund to persuade seven city councilmembers to dismantle our unparallelled sign limits.
Former La Mesa City Councilman Colin Parent also got his reward for pushing digital billboards in his city, when the Outdoor Media PAC plastered a billboard with copy exhorting voters to elect Parent to the State Assembly in 2024. Parent lost the race. But La Mesans won – fighting back and killing digital billboards in their in 2023. |
Photo by ScenicSanDiego.org.
Just as scenic advocates predicted, digital ad kiosks approved in 2023 were just the opening salvo in a wholesale effort to ruin San Diego’s urban vistas with garish electronic advertising, including digital billboards. When Scenic San Diego and other beautification advocates opposed digital ad kiosks in 2023, one of our biggest warnings was sidewalk electronic ad platforms were just the beginning. Digital billboards couldn’t be far behind. Yet, councilmembers who supported these 10-foot-tall pedestrian aimed screens, said we were hysterical – nothing like that would ever happen. Yet here we are less than two years later and many of those same councilmembers now endorse the same digital billboards they said would never be allowed. Take action.
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A Compelling Argument Against Digital Kiosks from S.D. Planning Commission Chair
6/2/23 - In the April 20th Planning Commission meeting, Chairperson William Hofman voiced his common-sense reasoning for voting against the digital kiosks: "I am afraid of the risk from people who may want to challenge our sign ordinance or try to do similar things. I am not going to support the motion. To watch the full meeting online go to the City of San Diego City Council webcasts page. |
6/18/25 San Diegans Say No to Egregious Outdoor Advertising
Egregious building wrap in downtown San Diego.
Pioneering and progressive when first enacted, the City of San Diego's sign ordinance has stood the test of time. Our region has many attributes that should not be sold for any price. Strict sign laws are among them. A new battle has begun that could drastically change the visual quality of our region. Loosened sign laws are being touted as revenue generators for public coffers, but a review of the actual financial results shows that time and again, the projected profits do not materialize. Why is the mayor's office willing to sell out this popular and long-standing sign ordinance for as little as $3 million dollars? Sadly, it's because it opens up the potential for much, much more. Do any of us feel that we do not already see enough advertising? NO! And we need to keep shutting down the attempts to sell out out skies and public spaces.
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Through citizen support, Scenic San Diego has worked for over 10 years to defend San Diego’s historic freeze on outdoor advertising. In 2013, we successfully defeated marketing schemes to cover downtown in wraps and digital ads. In 2018, we prevented the blanketing of our waterfront with massive ads and blocked the installation of digital kiosks. As of June 2023, the City has approved a proposal to litter downtown with 75 ad-blaring digital kiosks, opening the door to a hordes of outdoor ads. However, we will continue to fight for the scenic beauty of our region.
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News
La Mesa abandons pursuit of digital billboards following community backlash
San Diego Union-Tribune - In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council ended efforts to bring digital billboards to the city alongside Interstate 8 near Grossmont Center. The decision follows months of backlash from community members opposed to the proposal. Organizers from the grassroots group against the proposal — Keep La Mesa Beautiful — say their efforts have garnered nearly 2,000 petition signatures. Community members over the past few months, including during Tuesday’s meeting, voiced concerns over safety issues, fearing the lights would make driving at night more difficult and add an eyesore alongside the freeway. Read more.
San Diego Union-Tribune - In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council ended efforts to bring digital billboards to the city alongside Interstate 8 near Grossmont Center. The decision follows months of backlash from community members opposed to the proposal. Organizers from the grassroots group against the proposal — Keep La Mesa Beautiful — say their efforts have garnered nearly 2,000 petition signatures. Community members over the past few months, including during Tuesday’s meeting, voiced concerns over safety issues, fearing the lights would make driving at night more difficult and add an eyesore alongside the freeway. Read more.
Unpopular proposal to bring digital billboards to La Mesa may be nixed
Read the full article online: SanDiegoUnionTribune.com/unpopular-proposal-to-bring-digital-billboards-to-la-mesa
Read the full article online: SanDiegoUnionTribune.com/unpopular-proposal-to-bring-digital-billboards-to-la-mesa
How Dangerous is the Area Where La Mesa Seeks to Erect Digital Billboards?
By Miriam Raftery
October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – On Sept. 27, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a request for proposals to erect electronic billboards along Interstate 8 and potentially, other areas in the city, with only Councilman Jack Shu voting against the proposal. Shu and other opponents argued that these could distract drivers, particularly near the interchange of I-8 and State Route 125. How dangerous is that area already? To find out, East County Magazine obtained public records from California Highway Patrol. We requested data on accidents along I-8 east and west throughout the city of La Mesa from Lake Murray Blvd. on the west to Chase Ave. in El Cajon, since one billboard site would be near the La Mesa/El Cajon boundary. We also asked for data on accidents on onramps connecting I-8 and SR 125. The data reveals that from Jan. 1, 2018 to Oct. 10, 2023, there were 1,805 accidents in those locations. Those accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 673 injuries. Don Wood, a vocal opponent of the proposed e-billboards, told ECM, “I’m not surprised,” by this data. He added, “There are numerous lane changes in the vicinity merging in that section…so it’s not surprising that we would have many accidents in that stretch. Adding flashing digital billboards showing thousands of different advertisements daily would only add to the confusion and distraction.” Read more.
By Miriam Raftery
October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – On Sept. 27, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a request for proposals to erect electronic billboards along Interstate 8 and potentially, other areas in the city, with only Councilman Jack Shu voting against the proposal. Shu and other opponents argued that these could distract drivers, particularly near the interchange of I-8 and State Route 125. How dangerous is that area already? To find out, East County Magazine obtained public records from California Highway Patrol. We requested data on accidents along I-8 east and west throughout the city of La Mesa from Lake Murray Blvd. on the west to Chase Ave. in El Cajon, since one billboard site would be near the La Mesa/El Cajon boundary. We also asked for data on accidents on onramps connecting I-8 and SR 125. The data reveals that from Jan. 1, 2018 to Oct. 10, 2023, there were 1,805 accidents in those locations. Those accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 673 injuries. Don Wood, a vocal opponent of the proposed e-billboards, told ECM, “I’m not surprised,” by this data. He added, “There are numerous lane changes in the vicinity merging in that section…so it’s not surprising that we would have many accidents in that stretch. Adding flashing digital billboards showing thousands of different advertisements daily would only add to the confusion and distraction.” Read more.
La Mesa Revives Heated Debate Over Digital Billboards
By Miriam Raftery
September 28,2023 (La Mesa) – Last night, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a revised RFP (request for proposals) for digital billboards, with Councilman Jack Shu opposed. The action reverses a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. The major difference? The new plan would provide that any revenues the city receives off digital billboards for the first five years would be spent equally on police, fire protection, and the arts, said Councilman Colin Parent, who introduced the revised measure. Several people showed up before the meeting with protest signs, such as “Keep digital billboards out of La Mesa,”. Read more.
By Miriam Raftery
September 28,2023 (La Mesa) – Last night, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a revised RFP (request for proposals) for digital billboards, with Councilman Jack Shu opposed. The action reverses a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. The major difference? The new plan would provide that any revenues the city receives off digital billboards for the first five years would be spent equally on police, fire protection, and the arts, said Councilman Colin Parent, who introduced the revised measure. Several people showed up before the meeting with protest signs, such as “Keep digital billboards out of La Mesa,”. Read more.
City Council Takes 7:2 Vote to Abandon San Diego's Historic Ban on Advertising
Blight Despite receiving hundreds of messages in opposition, the San Diego City Council voted Tuesday, 7:2, to proceed with digital ad kiosks. Thanks to Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Vivian Moreno for voting "No!" Scenic San Diego is hopeful an organization defending the public's best interests will mount a legal challenge to this abandonment of San Diego's historic role fighting outdoor advertising blight. Many thanks to everyone who voiced their opposition. Updates to follow.
Blight Despite receiving hundreds of messages in opposition, the San Diego City Council voted Tuesday, 7:2, to proceed with digital ad kiosks. Thanks to Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Vivian Moreno for voting "No!" Scenic San Diego is hopeful an organization defending the public's best interests will mount a legal challenge to this abandonment of San Diego's historic role fighting outdoor advertising blight. Many thanks to everyone who voiced their opposition. Updates to follow.
A Big Win in the Fight Against Digital Billboards
07/27/23 - Reprinted with permission from "La Mesa Fights Back Against Digital Billboards" by Scenic America. On July 25, the City Council of La Mesa, California, took a significant stand against the installation of dual-sided digital billboards adjacent to Interstate 8 near the interchange with State Route 125. The proposed project by outdoor advertiser Clear Channel Outdoor faced strong opposition from councilmembers and the public alike, resulting in a three-to-two vote against proceeding with the plan. La Mesa activists, Scenic America, and Scenic San Diego mobilized a grassroots advocacy effort in the days leading up to the vote. This effort resulted in a strong showing of opposition, which ultimately led to the City Council’s three-to-two vote to kill the proposal. Read more.
07/27/23 - Reprinted with permission from "La Mesa Fights Back Against Digital Billboards" by Scenic America. On July 25, the City Council of La Mesa, California, took a significant stand against the installation of dual-sided digital billboards adjacent to Interstate 8 near the interchange with State Route 125. The proposed project by outdoor advertiser Clear Channel Outdoor faced strong opposition from councilmembers and the public alike, resulting in a three-to-two vote against proceeding with the plan. La Mesa activists, Scenic America, and Scenic San Diego mobilized a grassroots advocacy effort in the days leading up to the vote. This effort resulted in a strong showing of opposition, which ultimately led to the City Council’s three-to-two vote to kill the proposal. Read more.
Press Release: Scenic America and Scenic San Diego Oppose Approval of Digital Advertising Kiosks
JUNE 7, 2023, WASHINGTON, SAN DIEGO - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Scenic America and Scenic San Diego June 7, 2023. Download this press release (pdf). We are disappointed and disheartened at the San Diego City Council’s 7:1 vote to approve up to 75 new digital advertising kiosks in downtown San Diego yesterday. Labeled “wayfinding kiosks” by supporters, these sidewalk billboards will add visual blight, distraction, and confusion to our scenic community beginning in three years. Not to mention, this program is counter to San Diego’s longstanding outdoor advertising laws, which have kept our community nearly free of such visual pollution for four decades. San Diego was the first to take a case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, establishing its legal authority to limit outdoor advertising clutter in the 1981 case Metromedia v. San Diego. The city then became a nationwide leader when it froze the number of billboards at those existing in 1983. By approving these kiosks, the City Council has opened the door for advertising companies to file for similar exemptions. Read more.
JUNE 7, 2023, WASHINGTON, SAN DIEGO - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Scenic America and Scenic San Diego June 7, 2023. Download this press release (pdf). We are disappointed and disheartened at the San Diego City Council’s 7:1 vote to approve up to 75 new digital advertising kiosks in downtown San Diego yesterday. Labeled “wayfinding kiosks” by supporters, these sidewalk billboards will add visual blight, distraction, and confusion to our scenic community beginning in three years. Not to mention, this program is counter to San Diego’s longstanding outdoor advertising laws, which have kept our community nearly free of such visual pollution for four decades. San Diego was the first to take a case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, establishing its legal authority to limit outdoor advertising clutter in the 1981 case Metromedia v. San Diego. The city then became a nationwide leader when it froze the number of billboards at those existing in 1983. By approving these kiosks, the City Council has opened the door for advertising companies to file for similar exemptions. Read more.
San Diego City Council OKs large downtown digital ad kiosks, despite concerns
6/6/23 - Pam Wilson, leader of a group called Scenic San Diego that opposes outdoor advertising, said the council was making a huge mistake that could be the undoing of city sign regulations that are the envy of other large cities across the nation. She said making an exception for the kiosks opens San Diego up to digital billboards and other intense advertising that is outlawed here but common in Los Angeles, Phoenix and other large cities. “We are a market they are dying to get into,” she said. Wilson also called the deal a “snow job,” contending that proponents’ focus on wayfinding and help with homelessness are a ruse to distract from the kiosks being all about advertising. Read more.
6/6/23 - Pam Wilson, leader of a group called Scenic San Diego that opposes outdoor advertising, said the council was making a huge mistake that could be the undoing of city sign regulations that are the envy of other large cities across the nation. She said making an exception for the kiosks opens San Diego up to digital billboards and other intense advertising that is outlawed here but common in Los Angeles, Phoenix and other large cities. “We are a market they are dying to get into,” she said. Wilson also called the deal a “snow job,” contending that proponents’ focus on wayfinding and help with homelessness are a ruse to distract from the kiosks being all about advertising. Read more.
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Scenic San Diego Asserts Opposition to Digital Kiosks
6/6/23—Scenic San Diego volunteer director Pam Wilson voiced the opposition of over a hundred San Diegans to the digital kiosk proposal at the June 6th San Diego City Council meeting. With a presentation outlining conflicts of interest, overblown benefit claims and the dangers of undermining San Diego’s historic sign ordinance, Wilson spoke passionately against the proposal. To watch the full meeting online go to the City of San Diego City Council webcasts page, scroll down to the agenda and select Item #334. Go to the webcasts page. |
Views Are Worth Protecting“You can switch TV channels or the radio station, but you can’t turn us off,” ~ Hande Jones, Lamar Outdoor Advertising
Scenic San Diego is a coalition of concerned citizens and organizations who favor strong sign ordinances and oppose proposals to amend existing strict sign laws to allow digital billboards, digital ad kiosks and other advertising sign proliferation. We are affiliated with the premier national organization fighting for beautification and against sign pollution, Scenic America.
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