Federal: the Highway Beautification Act
The Highway Beautification Act of 1965 requires states to control billboards along Interstate and federal-aid primary highways, generally limiting them to commercial and industrial zones and setting standards for size, lighting and spacing. States enforce it through their own outdoor advertising permits, and federal highway funds are tied to compliance.
State & local rules
- State DOT permits are required for most roadside billboards along controlled highways.
- Local sign codes govern zoning, size, height, spacing and lighting; some cities restrict or prohibit new billboards entirely, and a few states (Vermont, Maine, Alaska, Hawaii) largely ban them.
- Digital billboard rules typically require a minimum message duration (often 6–10 seconds), instant transitions, no motion or video, brightness limits and automatic dimming at night.
- Street furniture and transit are governed by city and transit-authority contracts, which also set content standards.
- Mobile billboards, aerial and projection may need city permits, FAA waivers or property-owner consent.
Content restrictions
| Category | Typical restrictions |
|---|---|
| Tobacco & vaping | Tobacco billboard advertising has been banned in the U.S. since the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement; vaping ads face growing state and local limits. |
| Cannabis | Varies by state — often distance limits from schools, parks and playgrounds, and limits on content appealing to minors; prohibited on interstates in some states. |
| Alcohol | Industry codes plus state laws; typically barred near schools and from appealing to under-21s. |
| Gambling & sports betting | State-specific rules on responsible-gaming messages and placement. |
| Political | Must include "paid for by" disclaimers under FEC and state rules; vendors may set their own policies. |
| Health & pharma | FDA rules on claims and fair balance for prescription drugs; supplement claims governed by FTC. |
| Legal services | State bar advertising rules apply. |
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by jurisdiction — confirm with your vendor and, where needed, an attorney.
Vendor & transit-authority standards
Media owners and transit agencies apply their own copy-acceptance policies and can reject creative that is misleading, explicit, or that falls into categories they've chosen not to carry. Submit creative early so there's time for revisions.
Price out your campaign
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