Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
35 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Signage
- Awning/canopy sign clearance8 ft
If projecting below the face of the awning, canopy or marquee there must be eight feet of ground clearance.
- Banner display period14 days
Banners may not be displayed for a period exceeding 14 days.
- Banner maximum dimensions
Banners may not exceed 120 inches in length and 48 inches in height.
- Banner over right-of-way maximum area120 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Banners shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall have a minimum clearance of 21 feet over street grade.
- Banner over right-of-way minimum clearance21 ft
Banners shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall have a minimum clearance of 21 feet over street grade.
- Brand name/product sign maximum frame area40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Brand name/product signs shall be placed within a single sign frame not to exceed 40 square feet.
- Construction and maintenance standards
All signs shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and maintained in good repair.
- Electronic changeable copy maximum lines3 count
There shall be no more than three lines of text on any sign face for an electronic changeable copy sign.
- Electronic changeable copy sign maximum size45 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Maximum size for electronic changeable copy sign is 45 square feet.
- Electronic changeable copy minimum display time4 seconds
Text on the face of the sign shall remain in place for a minimum of four seconds.
- Exempt signs (no permit required)
Address/identification signs ≤3 sq ft, changing message content, commemorative plaques, flags (max 50 sq ft each, max 3 per lot), handicapped parking signs, directional signs ≤3 sq ft and ≥5 ft from lot line, security/warning signs ≤1.5 sq ft, private drive signs ≤2 sq ft, public signs, seasonal displays ≤30 days, signs not visible beyond lot, streamers (subject to 86-644), temporary political signs ≤8 sq ft and 6 ft height, temporary yard sale signs (max 3), temporary real estate signs (residential ≤4 sq ft, others ≤32 sq ft, max 6 ft height), temporary window signs (not above first floor), vehicle safety inspection signs ≤10 sq ft, signs on licensed commercial vehicles, temporary off-premises subdivision directional signs, portable A-frame/T-frame/banners meeting 86-641, murals meeting 86-23.
- Freestanding sign minimum road frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.100 ft
Permanent freestanding signs shall be permitted only on zoning lots with 100 feet or more of road frontage.
- Freestanding sign minimum separation100 ft
No freestanding sign shall be permitted to be erected within 100 feet of an existing freestanding sign.
- Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from right-of-way
Signs must be completely behind the right-of-way line of the street, except as provided.
- Maximum number of sign faces4 count
No sign shall have more than four sign faces.
- NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. sign repair threshold50 pct
A nonconforming sign which is destroyed or damaged to the extent that the cost of repair exceeds 50 percent of its fair market value shall not be altered, replaced or reinstalled unless in conformance.
- Obsolete sign removal30 days
Any sign which is obsolete because of discontinuance of the advertised activity shall be removed within 30 days after discontinuance.
- Permanent window sign maximum area25 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Permanent window signs shall be limited in area to 25 percent of the window area or 25 square feet, whichever is less.
- Portable A-frame sign maximum dimensions
A-frame signs may not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in height.
- Portable T-frame sign maximum dimensions
T-frame signs may not exceed 36 inches in width and 66 inches in height.
Off-premises signs, portable signs (except A-frame/T-frame in C-1, C-2, M), simulated traffic signs, flashing signs (except time/temperature and theater with SUP), glaring signs, strings of lights, roof signs, signs affixed to trees/utility poles, signs obstructing visibility, signs in public right-of-way (with exceptions), vehicles as display signs, billboards, banners (except as provided).
- Projecting sign angle90 degrees
Angle of projection: Ninety degrees.
- Projecting sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.20 ft
Maximum height: Twenty feet, the bottom sill of any second story window, or the lowest point of the roof, whichever is highest.
- Projecting sign maximum projection5 ft
Limit on projection: Five feet or one-third the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
- Projecting sign minimum clearance10 ft
Minimum clearance: Ten feet.
- Sign area determination
The area of a sign shall be determined by measuring the surface area encompassing any regular geometric figure enclosing all parts of the sign face. Supports not included unless integral background.
- Sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. measurement
The height of a sign shall be measured from the higher of the base of the sign, or the grade of the street to which the sign is oriented, to the top of the structure.
- Sign permit required
Except as provided in this article, no sign shall be constructed, erected, installed, used, altered, relocated, replaced, or reconstructed without a sign permit issued pursuant to division 3 of this article.
- Signs considered accessory usesAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office.
For the purpose of this article, all signs are considered accessory uses and, unless specifically qualified, shall be located on the same lot as their principal use.
- Streamer allowed districts
Such devices may be used only on properties in the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts.
- Streamer component maximum size24 in
No individual component of a streamer shall exceed 24 inches in length in the case of a flag or pennant or 24 inches in diameter in the case of a propeller or disc type device.
- Streamer illumination prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Such devices may not be illuminated.
- Area of signs with two or more faces
If faces separated by interior angle ≥45°, both faces included; if <45°, only largest face included.
- Wall sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.20 ft
Maximum height of wall signs shall be 20 feet, the height of the bottom sill of any second story window, or the lowest point of the roof, whichever is highest.
- Wall sign maximum projection12 in
Limit on projection shall be 12 inches.
From the ordinance
The purpose of this article is to regulate the size, location, height, and construction of all signs placed for public observance; protect the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare; facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community; promote the aesthetic values of the community; promote and enhance traffic safety; protect property values; and further the urban design; allow for adequate promotion for the business to which it pertains; and economic development objectives of the town's comprehensive plan.