Ordinance chapter · Occoquan, Virginia

Chapter 16

SIGN REGULATIONS BY USE AND DISTRICT#

§ 157.320 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT SIGNS (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4).#

(A) Except as otherwise prohibited in this subchapter, Table 1 below includes signs that are permitted as accessory to residential uses in residential districts.

(B) Except as provided otherwise in this subchapter, Table 2 below includes signs that are permitted as accessory to nonresidential uses in residential districts.

Table 1: Residential District Residential Use Property Signs#

Flags Temporary Permanent: Box, Projecting, and Wall Permanent: Awning, Freestanding, Monument, and Pole Window Minor Waterfront
Duration Unlimited 90 days Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Illumination As required by law None Indirect Indirect None None Indirect
Location See § 157.303(B) See §§ 157.303(D) and 157.307 Wall, fence, bracket, awning, or affixed to mailbox Wall, freestanding, or awning Attached to or within 18 inches in front of or behind the surface of a window or door Wall, fence, bracket, freestanding, awning, or affixed to mailbox Wall, fence, bracket, freestanding, awning, or affixed to mailbox
Max. height 15 ft. 15 ft. (if freestanding) None 15 ft. None None None
Setback See § 157.303(B) None None None None None None
Size (each/total) 16 sf/no limit 16 sf/no limit 3 sf/3 sf 3 sf/3 sf Aggregate cannot exceed 25% or more of the area of the window 1 sf/4 sf 16 sf

Table 2: Residential District Non-residential Use Property Signs#

Flags Temporary Permanent: Box, Projecting, and Wall Permanent: Awning, Freestanding, Monument, and Pole Window Minor Waterfront
Duration Unlimited 20 days Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Illumination As required by law None Indirect Indirect None Indirect
Materials See flag definition See §§ 157.303(D) and 157.307
Max. height 15 ft 6 ft None 15 ft None None
Setback See § 157.303(B) None None None None None
Size (each/total) 16 sf/no limit 8 sf/8 sf 16 sf/16 sf 16 sf/16 sf 1 sf/4 sf 16 sf

(1998 Code, § 66-391) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. 2020-06, passed 11-4-2020; Ord. O-2023-12, passed 6-6-2023; Ord. O-2025-12, passed 10-21-2025) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 157.321 BUSINESS DISTRICT SIGNS (B-1).#

(A) Except as prohibited in this subchapter, Table 3 below includes signs that are permitted in business districts.

(B) Window signs are permitted up to 25% of the area of a window. Window signs are permitted only on the first floor of a building unless the business advertised is only on the floor where the window sign is displayed.

(C) Box signs do not count towards the maximum number of signs and flags as outlined in Table 3.

Table 3: Business District Property (All Uses) Signs#

Permanent: Box, Projecting, and Wall Permanent: Awning, Free-standing, Monument, and Pole Window Temporary Flags Minor Waterfront Marquee ***
Duration Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited 20 days Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Illumination Indirect Indirect None None As required by law None Indirect Backlit, internally or indirectly
Location Wall, fence, bracket, or affixed to mailbox Wall, bracket, awning, freestanding or affixed to mailbox Attached to or within 18 inches in front of or behind the surface of a window or door See §§ 157.303(D) and 157.307 See §§ 157.303(B) and 157.307 Wall, fence, bracket, awning, freestanding, or affixed to mailbox Wall, fence, bracket, awning, freestanding, or affixed to mailbox SUP req.
Maximum number 4* None Unlimited ** 4* 4 signs total without a permit; up to 2 additional with a permit Unlimited up to maximum size 1
Maximum height None 15 ft None 15 ft (if freestanding) 15 ft None Height of building Height of building
Size (each) 16 sf (except box signs, which are limited to 4.5 sf by definition) 16 sf Aggregate cannot exceed 25% or more of the area of the window 16 sf total for commercial use property; 8 sf total for residential use property 16 sf 1 sf total Total: 2 sf/linear foot of building riverfront width, divided into as many signs as occupant wishes SUP req.

Table notes:

  • * Maximum number is a combination of permanent signs and flags. There shall be no more than four signs and/or flags on any one business per parcel at a given time.
  • ** Yard signs are not permitted in business districts.
  • *** SUP required prior to install.

(1998 Code, § 66-392) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. 2020-06, passed 11-4-2020; Ord. O-2023-12, passed 6-6-2023; Ord. O-2025-12, passed 10-21-2025) Penalty, see § 10.99