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Passing the roadblocks in the LED sign permitting process

The permitting process for digital signage billboards and LED signs is a necessary part of any sign company's operations, and it can be a tough road to navigate. Here are three keys to navigating that path.

July 17, 2015 by Darrin Friskney — pr for Darrin Friskney, Clarus Communications

The permitting process is a necessary part of any sign company's operations, and it can be a tough road to navigate. Sign companies, suppliers, customers and municipal officials all have the same primary goals. Everyone wants to make sure that signage incorporates into a town's landscape and enhances the community. Signs that meet these goals help local companies grow their businesses and increase the community's tax base.

Here are three keys to working through the sign permitting process:

1. Do the homework. Understanding the sign permitting process in every community saves a lot of unnecessary delays and headaches. Read and understand the local sign code. Talk with others who have been through the process. By understanding the required paperwork, it is easier to provide any additional documentation when needed. A professional, complete application makes it easier to get a positive response.
2. Network to build mutual understanding. Get to know those responsible for the permitting process. They want and need to do their jobs correctly while adhering to the community's codes. Network with officials and remind them that you provide a way for local businesses to grow and contribute to the tax base.
3. Take advantage of the experts. Sign suppliers, LED manufacturers and others can provide information regarding products and permitting efforts. Professional trade organizations have great resources to help companies during this process, like published research on recommended nighttime brightness levels by lighting expert Dr. Ian Lewis of Lighting Sciences. In a community that limits displays only to alphanumeric characters and doesn't permit  the use of images, refer them to the American Planning Association's "Street Graphics and the Law." This highly regarded guide outlines the strength of using images on signs, which are easier than plain text for passing motorists to comprehend.

Working with the right partners and doing some research will make a significant difference during the permitting process. Collaborate within each business market to find common ground and ensure that the signs installed will enhance the community and provide advertisers with a great return on their investment.

Resources:

Mandelker, Daniel, Andrew Bertucci, and William Ewald. Street Graphics and the Law (PAS 527). APA Planning Advisory Service, 2004.

Recommended Night-time Brightness Levels for On-premise Electronic Message Centers (EMCs). (n.d.). Retrieved from www.signs.org/brightness.

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