About

Who we are

Scenic San Diego is a coalition of concerned, all-volunteer citizens and organizations who favor strong sign ordinances and oppose proposals to amend existing strict sign laws to allow digital billboards and other advertising sign proliferation. Since 2004 we've been researching proposals and submitting public comments to support San Diego's strict sign laws and keep our public areas of free of dangerously distracting, energy-gobbling digital billboards and other off-site messaging. We are affiliated with the premier national organization fighting for beautification and against sign pollution, Scenic America.

“Billboard companies sell something they don’t own — our field of vision."
~ Urban planner Ed McMahon

Blight-free vistas have intrinsic value

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. Yet currently, battles are underway that could drastically change the visual quality of our region. This site compiles information on initiatives by developers and outdoor advertisers seeking to weaken existing limits on outdoor advertising. Prior to approving any amendments to any jurisdiction’s sign laws, a thorough review of the legal implications of such proposals should be prepared to determine if they open the door to massive signage blight. In jurisdictions where loosened sign laws are being touted as revenue generators for public coffers, a thorough review of the actual financial results obtained by public entities that have permitted new signage should be conducted. Do they really yield the profits projected or are these promises illusory?

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"San Diego County has far fewer billboards than other parts of California and most other major cities. Laws passed decades ago capped the number of billboards. As much as they try, it’s been virtually impossible for outdoor advertisers to blanket our streets and freeways with garish ad displays." ~ Pamela Wilson, Scenic San Diego

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