Step-by-Step Guide to Renting a Billboard in Los Angeles
The sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles offers an endless canvas for businesses looking to make an impression. Behind every iconic billboard that catches your eye along the 405 or towers above the Sunset Strip lies a process that blends art, strategy, and a dash of insider knowledge.
Billboard advertising in LA remains a powerhouse marketing channel despite our digital-first era. When executed skillfully, these towering advertisements create instant brand recognition in a city where attention is the ultimate currency. They stand as silent salespeople working 24/7 in a market where being seen means everything.
And yes, securing the perfect billboard is actually simpler than trying to explain to your GPS why you're making that illegal U-turn on Wilshire Boulevard. Here is your roadmap to making informed decisions about billboard advertising in Los Angeles, tailored for businesses ready to make their mark.
Billboard advertising in Los Angeles offers unmatched visibility, cultural relevance, and exposure to diverse, trend-setting audiences across high-traffic zones.
Available billboard formats in LA include static, digital, murals, and transit ads — each suited to different campaign goals, budgets, and neighborhoods.
Costs vary widely by format and location, with premium placements like Sunset Boulevard commanding higher prices, while options like bus shelters offer more budget flexibility.
LA billboard permits require navigating zoning laws, Sign Districts, or Relocation Agreements, all involving strict compliance and often City Council approval.
Designing for LA means using bold visuals, short messaging, and cultural nuance to stand out in one of the most visually competitive markets in the world.
Good Kids offers full-service billboard strategy, creative, and placement in LA — delivering bold, culture-driven campaigns that go beyond the roadside and into digital virality.
Why LA for Billboard Advertising?
So, why LA? If you are entertaining the idea of doing billboard advertising, why should you do it in LA? The answer is simple. In LA, eyeballs are everywhere, and they’re always looking.
High Traffic Means High Visibility
Let’s be honest; LA drivers spend a lot of time behind the wheel. While that may be a commuter’s headache, it’s an advertiser’s sweet spot. With gridlocked freeways like the 405, 101, and 10, your billboard isn’t just a fleeting image — it becomes part of someone’s daily routine. That kind of exposure builds serious brand recognition.
Reach a Broad and Diverse Audience
Los Angeles is one of the most culturally and economically diverse cities in the world. From trend-savvy Gen Z in Silver Lake to high-income professionals in West LA, the city gives you the flexibility to tailor your messaging to different demographics, all within the same metropolitan area.
A Hub for Trends and Influence
LA is more than just a city; it’s a cultural amplifier. What catches on here often spreads nationally, especially in fashion, tech, and entertainment. A standout billboard in LA doesn’t just get attention. It can spark conversation, media coverage, and social media buzz.
Premium Locations with Cultural Impact
Placing your ad in high-profile areas like Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, or Melrose gives your brand visibility in iconic settings. These locations aren’t just about foot traffic — they carry a certain cultural weight, giving your campaign both presence and prestige.
Types of Billboards Rentable in LA
Billboards in Los Angeles come in more flavors than a Venice Beach smoothie shop. Whether you're going for bold and classic or digital and dynamic, there’s a format that fits your message and your budget.
Static Billboards
These are your tried-and-true, old-school giants. Static billboards are printed, non-digital displays that stay up 24/7. They’re ideal for brand awareness campaigns where consistency and visibility are key. You’ll find them towering over major freeways, busy intersections, and high-traffic corridors. Their size and permanence make them a cost-effective choice for longer campaigns.
- You’re running a long-term campaign and want your message up 24/7 without rotation or digital scheduling.
- Your brand benefits from repetition — think local businesses, real estate, or healthcare services that thrive on top-of-mind awareness.
- You have a bold, simple message that doesn’t need motion to make an impact.
- You’re working with a tighter budget but still want maximum exposure in high-traffic areas.
- You want to tap into classic brand-building — static billboards are a timeless format that still delivers results.
Digital Billboards
If you want your ad to stand out—literally in lights—digital billboards are the way to go. These LED displays allow for motion graphics, rotating messages, and real-time updates. Plus, you can schedule different content at different times of day. Target the morning commuters with one message and the evening crowd with another. It’s flexibility, powered by pixels.
- You want to run time-sensitive promotions or change messaging throughout the day.
- Your brand thrives on eye-catching visuals or animations that draw attention.
- You're targeting tech-savvy audiences who expect modern, dynamic content.
- You need the flexibility to test different messages quickly without printing costs.
- You're looking to make a high-impact splash in a busy urban setting.
Wallscapes and Murals
Looking to make a statement? Wallscapes (large-format ads painted or applied directly onto the sides of buildings) are pure LA drama. They’re common in areas like Downtown, West Hollywood, and the Arts District, where visual impact meets heavy foot traffic. They’re also highly photogenic, making them prime real estate for Instagram buzz and influencer engagement.
- Your brand has a bold creative concept that deserves a massive canvas.
- You’re aiming for social media buzz — these formats are highly “Instagrammable.”
- You want to associate your brand with LA’s art, fashion, or cultural scene.
- You’re targeting neighborhoods known for foot traffic and creative energy.
- You see value in brand prestige and making a memorable visual statement.
Transit and Street-Level Options
Not all billboards are in the sky. LA offers plenty of street-level formats like bus shelters, benches, and even digital kiosks. These are great for hyper-local targeting in walkable neighborhoods like Santa Monica, Koreatown, or Echo Park. They offer consistent visibility to pedestrians, bikers, and public transit users.
- You’re focusing on local awareness in specific neighborhoods or zip codes.
- Your audience includes pedestrians, cyclists, or public transit riders.
- You want frequent impressions at eye level where people linger or wait.
- Your budget calls for high-visibility options without the size (or cost) of a billboard.
- You're launching a grassroots or community-focused campaign.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Billboard in Los Angeles?
Billboard pricing in LA varies widely depending on location, format, audience targeting, campaign duration, and niche demand. One thing to keep in mind is that billboards in LA are definitely a lot more expensive than other cities like Houston. Here's a breakdown of the key cost ranges you should be familiar with.
Permits Needed for a Billboard in LA
Renting or installing a billboard in Los Angeles involves more than just choosing a spot—it requires working through a detailed system of permits, zoning rules, and city programs designed to regulate outdoor advertising and prevent visual clutter.
Understanding the Legal Landscape
The City of LA generally prohibits new off-site signs (billboards) unless they are part of a Sign District or approved via a Relocation Agreement. These two pathways provide legal means to establish or move billboards, while supporting the city’s goals to reduce overall billboard volume and improve aesthetics.
Sign Districts: Where and How
Sign Districts are special zones that allow off-site signage in designated areas such as commercial hubs or entertainment zones. There are two types:
Tier 1 Sign Districts: Allow digital and static off-site signs but require:
Sign Reduction: 1:1 square footage removal of existing signs for static billboards, or 2:1 for digital displays.
Community Benefits Program: Improvements like landscaping, lighting, public art, or sidewalk enhancements.
Must be located in zones such as Regional Commercial, Downtown, LAX, or near stadiums.
Tier 2 Sign Districts: Also allow off-site signage, but only if signs are not visible from public areas. No sign reduction or community benefits are required.
Relocation Agreements
A billboard can also be installed or converted through a Relocation Agreement, where an existing sign is moved or modernized (e.g. converted to digital) in exchange for:
Removing other legally permitted signs at a minimum 9:1 ratio, or
Making public benefit payments if the full 9:1 reduction isn’t met. Relocated digital billboards must meet distance requirements (e.g., 500 feet from another digital sign), avoid residential zones, scenic routes, and sensitive land uses.
Approval Process
Both Sign Districts and Relocation Agreements require environmental review, public hearings, and City Council approval. Only legally permitted signs, with no outstanding violations, qualify.
Best Locations for Billboards in LA
In Los Angeles, location isn’t just everything — it’s the only thing. With notorious traffic and a population that practically lives in their cars, LA offers golden opportunities for brands to shine, literally and figuratively, across some of the most iconic advertising real estate in the country. But not all billboard locations are created equal.
Sunset Boulevard
The crown jewel of LA billboard culture, Sunset Strip is synonymous with big, bold, and buzzworthy advertising. While placement here can run up to $100,000 per campaign, the visibility is unmatched. Sunset ads often double as PR, thanks to their proximity to celebrities, influencers, and Hollywood studios. It's a go-to zone for entertainment, fashion, and cannabis brands aiming for cultural cachet and viral exposure.
Mid City
Flanked by Olympic Boulevard and the Santa Monica Freeway, Mid City offers a centralized, high-traffic environment perfect for brands wanting broad reach across multiple demographics. It’s especially effective for campaigns aimed at everyday Angelenos — from commuters to working professionals — without the extreme price tag of West Hollywood.
La Cienega Boulevard
Popular with tourists and locals alike, La Cienega is packed with restaurants, retail, and high foot traffic. Think lifestyle brands, entertainment, and anything with visual flair. With well-known spots like Restaurant Row and Randy’s Donuts nearby, you’re guaranteed high dwell time and audience attention.
Figueroa Street
With Crypto.com Arena and the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics slated to energize this corridor, Figueroa Street is rapidly becoming a top-tier choice for billboard visibility. It's a prime location for sports, entertainment, and streaming brands that want to tap into pedestrian-heavy zones and major event traffic.
Ventura Boulevard
Stretching across the San Fernando Valley, Ventura Blvd. is the longest commercial street in the U.S. — and a hidden gem for targeted campaigns. It’s perfect for retail, lifestyle, and local services looking to reach an audience ready to spend.
How to Design a Billboard for LA
Designing a billboard in Los Angeles isn’t just about making something that looks good — it’s about standing out in one of the most competitive, visually saturated cities in the world. In LA, your billboard competes with celebrity sightings, traffic jams, film shoots, sunsets, and yes, a lot of other billboards.
So how do you cut through the noise and make your message land? Here’s how to design with LA in mind.
1. Keep It Bold and Simple
LA drivers are on the move (even when they’re stuck in traffic), so your message needs to be understood in about 5 seconds or less. Use short, punchy headlines. Stick to seven words or fewer when possible. Prioritize one key message, and let it dominate the space.
2. Design for Distance
Billboards in LA are often viewed from afar — especially those perched on freeways or above busy intersections. That means your design should scale. Use high-contrast colors, large fonts, and clear visuals that can be read at a glance. Avoid intricate details or small text that disappears from a distance.
3. Lean Into the Local Culture
Los Angeles is a city that values creativity and cultural relevance. If your brand has the flexibility, tailor the design to specific neighborhoods. A wallscape in the Arts District might call for a gritty, artistic aesthetic, while a board on Sunset Boulevard could benefit from a glam or entertainment-driven concept.
4. Visuals Over Words
Images do the heavy lifting in outdoor advertising. A powerful photo or illustration can often communicate more than a sentence ever could. For LA, visuals that feel cinematic, aspirational, or “Instagrammable” tend to perform best—especially in areas with high social media activity.
5. Think Mobile (and Viral)
Your billboard could live far beyond the roadside. In LA, people take photos of compelling boards and share them online, particularly in hotspots like West Hollywood or DTLA. Design with that in mind—create something worth photographing. Bold colors, clever copy, or unexpected formats can turn your billboard into digital gold.
6. Match the Medium
Is your billboard digital? Use subtle motion graphics or rotating messages to maximize impact without overwhelming viewers. Is it a wallscape? Embrace scale and artistry. Static freeway board? Stick with strong, static visuals and large type.
Closing Thoughts - Partner with Good Kids
By now, you’ve got a solid roadmap for renting, designing, and strategically placing a billboard in Los Angeles. But here’s the reality — pulling off a truly impactful campaign requires more than just renting space and slapping on a design. It takes expertise, creativity, and a deep understanding of how to capture attention in a city overflowing with distractions. That’s where Good Kids comes in.
We’re not just another agency — we’re the team that makes your brand impossible to ignore. Unlike the DIY route, where you’ll be juggling permits, creative direction, placement logistics, and audience engagement, we handle it all — and we do it at a level that ensures your billboard doesn’t just exist, but actually gets noticed.
Why Partner with Good Kids?
We Don’t Do Cookie-Cutter Advertising: A generic billboard won’t cut it. We specialize in creating bold, culturally charged, and visually unforgettable campaigns that stand out—even on the Sunset Strip.
Strategic Billboard Placement: We know where your billboard needs to be for maximum impact, whether it’s Downtown LA, Hollywood, or Mid-City. We handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to.
Creative That Hits Hard: Consumers are sharp. They tune out bland ads. Our award-winning creative team designs billboards that people actually look at—and talk about.
We Integrate Digital & Social: Why stop at just a physical billboard? We design campaigns that extend beyond the roadside, turning your ad into a shareable moment across social media.
At Good Kids, we don’t just sell advertising — we capture attention. Let’s turn your big idea into something unforgettable.
