Outfront Media's Ridgewood Billboard Bid Ends in Court Loss

Outfront Media LLC lost its legal bid to install a massive digital billboard in Ridgewood when a Bergen County Superior Court judge dismissed its case with prejudice. Village attorney Bruce E. Whitaker confirmed the outcome in a letter to Mayor Paul Vagianos dated Oct. 29. The dismissal ends a dispute that began in April 2021.

The company originally sought permission to build a double-sided LED structure at 500 Route 17 South. The design called for a tower standing 40 feet tall. Each advertising face would measure roughly 10.5 feet by 36 feet. The sign was intended to face motorists on the highway.

Local residents and neighboring property owners opposed the project. They cited concerns about traffic safety and visibility. The group also flagged the impact on the historic Zabriskie-Schedler property located across the street. Outfront Media argued that narrow view technology would limit the sign's glare to drivers. The company proposed landscaping to shield the sign from adjacent lots.

The Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment held 11 public hearings on the application. The board voted to deny the permit on July 23, 2024. The proposal violated the property's zoning rules and exceeded the area's 30-foot height limit. Outfront Media filed suit on Jan. 29, 2025, claiming the board acted arbitrarily and ignored expert testimony.

The lawsuit remained active through 2026 with multiple conferences postponed. A stipulation of settlement was filed on Oct. 29, the same day a scheduled conference was canceled. The dismissal with prejudice prevents the company from filing the same claims again. The village manager's office announced the result on social media.