Palm Coast Considers Allowing Digital Signs for the First Time

Proposed Rules Would Limit Placement, Brightness, and Animation

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:03pm

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Palm Coast's City Council heard a detailed proposal on allowing digital electronic signs for the first time in the city's history. The proposal includes restrictions on where digital signs can be placed, their brightness, and animation. The plan will go through further review before any formal action is taken.

Why it matters

Digital signs have become more common in many cities, but Palm Coast has not previously allowed them. This proposal aims to balance the desire for digital signage with concerns about visual clutter, brightness, and impacts on residential areas.

The details

The proposal would allow digital displays only in non-residential zoning districts along specific roadways, including US 1, Matanzas Woods Boulevard, Palm Coast Parkway, and State Road 100. It includes restrictions such as a minimum 150-foot setback from residentially zoned property, a maximum pixel spacing of 10 millimeters, automatic brightness dimming, an 8-second hold time per message, and a prohibition on animation, full-motion video, flashing, and audio. The city's economic development team is interested in using digital monument signs at key Town Center entrances.

  • The proposal will go to the Planning Board on April 15, 2026.
  • The proposal will return to the City Council for a second workshop on May 12, 2026, before any formal action.

The players

Estelle Lenz

Senior Planner who developed the proposal after researching regulations from other Florida municipalities and working with local sign contractors and the International Sign Association.

Vice Mayor Pontieri

Expressed concern about visual saturation and asked whether the code could cap the number of electronic signs allowed within a certain radius.

Councilman Gambaro

Asked about enforceability and how city staff would measure brightness in the field.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.