Ashland, Virginia · General provision

Sec 21-207.1, 21-208, 21-209, 21-214

Extracted standards

17 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.

Signage

  • A-frame sign limits2 ft

    No A-frame sign shall exceed 2 feet in width and 3 feet in height. Each side at least 1 inch thick. Located within 4 feet of entrance. Sidewalk min width 5 feet, clearance 36 inches.

  • Auction signs max 20 sq ft, not illuminated, erected max 1 month before auction, removed within 48 hours after, max 1 per site per year.

  • Banner signs max 20 sq ft, displayed max 30 days per year (additional 30 for new business). In residential zones, not permitted on houses, duplexes, attached houses except holidays/religious/family events.

  • Construction signs max 32 sq ft, not illuminated, setback 10 ft, removed upon certificate of occupancy.

  • Directional signs shall not exceed 4 square feet in area or 5 feet in height, and shall not be located within 10 feet of any street line or other property line.

  • Electronic sign standards

    Electronic changeable copy max 40% of sign area. Setback 100 ft from residential district boundary. Separation 35 ft from other electronic signs. Orientation: not visible from residential principal structure within 150 ft. Duration: 8 sec for changeable copy, 20 min for graphic display. Single color (gasoline price may use 2). Auto dimmer: 85% day, 50% night. Turn off at close of business. Text limited to 10 words. No audio or pyrotechnics.

  • Flag display standards

    Max 3 flags/poles, one may be corporate. Pole height max 35 ft. Flag area max 120 sq ft each.

  • General illumination standards

    Permitted signs may be illuminated if source not visible, shielded, not shining on adjoining properties/streets. No flashing or intermittent messages except time/temperature changing not more than once per 5 seconds. No internally illuminated signs in B-1 and B-1D.

  • Neighborhood signs max 32 sq ft area, 6 ft height, setback 5 ft from street/property line, max 2 per neighborhood.

  • Political sign limits

    Residential: total area 18 sq ft per lot, individual max 6 ft height. Business/industrial: total area 32 sq ft. Setback 10 ft from property line.

  • Billboards, unsafe signs, portable signs, roof signs, attention getting devices, flashing signs, vehicle signs, video display signs, signs with fluctuating illumination, multi-vision signs, animated signs, inflatable signs, off-premise signs, signs in right-of-way, signs on unapproved structures.

  • Real estate sign limits

    Residential zones: max 4 sq ft each. Business/industrial: max 32 sq ft each. Setback 10 ft from property line. Not illuminated. One sign per lot <10 acres, two if >10 acres.

  • Shared sign max height 18 ft, max area 120 sq ft. No other freestanding sign on either parcel.

  • Sign area calculation method

    Sign area is the smallest individual rectangle, triangle or circle or combination of not more than two such figures which will encompass all elements of the sign. Double-faced signs count as largest single face if interior angle ≤30 degrees. Monument supporting structure up to 50% of sign area excluded.

  • Traffic control signs max 4 sq ft, no advertising matter.

  • Window sign limits40 pct

    Window signs shall not exceed 40% of the total area of the window or door on which it is located.

  • May be displayed 3 days prior to sale, removed within 3 days after. Only on property where sale occurs. No permit required.

From the ordinance

General sign regulations including definitions, prohibited signs, sign area calculation, electronic sign standards, and flag display.
Sec 21-207.1, 21-208, 21-209, 21-214