(Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 28--Virginia Beach's strict regulation of street advertising has always seemed kind of odd, over the top -- and not always applied fairly.

For more than two decades, the city has prohibited companies from constructing new billboards. The policy was designed to remove unsightly come-ons from thoroughfares, as council members and city officials embarked on a beautification campaign.

This so-called blight-busting has trimmed the number of billboards from 63 in 1987 to 28 today. Longtime residents believe major thoroughfares are more aesthetically pleasing. Read More...

For several years, AHR Communications has been operating a fleet of trivision mobile advertising trucks in and around Virginia Beach. Since Elaine Cayton opened the business, she has been careful to comply with all local ordinances. None of the surrounding cities have given her business any trouble, but the City of Virginia Beach has repeatedly attempted to force her out of business. Even though there was no ordinance prohibiting Cayton’s business, the local city council repeated attempted to shut her down.

Yesterday, she achieved a victory when the Virginia Beach City Council voted 6-5 to allow mobile advertising trucks in their city limites. Read more about it here. Read More...

Not more than ten hours after the last post about regulation, this article appeared in the Virginia Beach Pilot about their city's sign ordinance. There is a long running dispute between Elaine Cayton, owner of Admobile of Hampton Roads and about half of the Virginia Beach city council members. Cayton's business is one of the most responsible, well run, and civic minded mobile advertising companies that we are aware of. The people of Virginia Beach feel the same way, too, as the results of the Pilot's online poll tilt in favor of Admobile by about 2 to 1.

Take a moment to vote in the Virginia Beach Pilot's online poll, and post a comment to let them know your thoughts.

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Customers often ask about regulations that govern the use of mobile advertising vehicles.

Let's back up for a minute. Regulation is not a probelm for 95% of Spark's customers. It is a concern though, but it comes down to two different concepts. Either you're using a mobile advertising vehicle to promote your own business or you're using the vehicle to operate a mobile advertising company.

The first case is easy. If you purchase a mobile advertising truck and use it in the ordinary operation of your business, we are not aware of a single local ordinance that will prevent you from using the vehicle to promote your own business. Read More...