Billboard rules approved by Philly City Council

Philadelphia City Council has approved new, wide-ranging billboard regulations.  No one is completely happy with the bill.

The bill regulates everything from how bright digital billboards can be to where they are  placed.  It even works to cut some of the clutter from the advertising landscape.  

Councilman Bobby Henon admits the bill is a compromise.

“I’ve heard from community groups throughout the city, I’ve heard from every stakeholders who’s involved including the outdoor advertising industry and city government in multiple departments,” he said. “At some point you must move forward, you must make bold decisions to change the policies that haven’t been changed since 1971 and now’s the time to do it.”

The bill creates a swap that would mean companies would have to trade in two conventional billboards to put up a digital one.  It also requires each billboard have a license, fees would depend on the size of the sign.