Article 21, Sec. 21-2

Signage

• Abandoned sign removal period30 days

  An on-site or off-site sign advertising a business that has moved or advertising or abandoned, signs advertising such business shall be removed within 30 days following such abandonment.

• Sign considered abandoned after period12 months

  a sign shall be considered abandoned if the business for which the sign was erected has not been in operation for a period of one year or more

• Exempt public directional signs - max area24 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Signs displayed for the direction of convenience of the public including signs which set forth the name of any public, charitable, educational or religious institution (up to 24 square feet and located on premise)

• Government signs exempt

  Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, such as traffic signs, street or road signs, legal signs, historic markers, etc.

• Memorial tablets or signs exempt

  Memorial tablets or signs

• Private property traffic direction signs exempt

  Signs directing traffic on private property, but bearing no advertising matter

• Exempt realty sign max size24 inches

  Only one non-illuminated realty sign that is no larger than 24 inches by 24 inches per parcel of land

• Exempt signs required by law - max area10 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation with a total surface area not exceeding ten square feet

• Utility location signs exempt

  Signs placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities

• Vehicle signs exempt when in normal use

  Signs on a truck, bus, trailer or other vehicle, while in use in the normal course of business

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign max area in commercial and industrial districts10 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Commercial and industrial districts; signs shall not exceed ten square feet.

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign max area in residential districts8 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Residential districts; signs shall not exceed eight square feet.

• Illumination must be shielded

  The light from any illuminated signs shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to surrounding areas or to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.

• Signs must be maintained

  All signs and sign structures shall be kept in good repair and in proper state of preservation.

• Max area of non-illuminated realty sign in multi-familyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive., business, and industrial districts32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  32 square feet and six feet in height, in all multi-family, business and industrial zoning districts

• Max area of non-illuminated realty sign in single-familySingle-family dwellingOne dwelling unit on its own lot, usually detached from its neighbours. residential districts6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Non-illuminated realty signs, not exceeding six square feet in area or four feet in height in all single family residential districts

• Max number of realty signs per parcel1 count

  limited to one sign per parcel of land

• Max heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of non-illuminated realty sign in multi-familyMultifamily dwellingA building of four or more dwelling units. Where zoning is most restrictive., business, and industrial districts6 ft

  32 square feet and six feet in height, in all multi-family, business and industrial zoning districts

• Max heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of non-illuminated realty sign in single-familySingle-family dwellingOne dwelling unit on its own lot, usually detached from its neighbours. residential districts4 ft

  Non-illuminated realty signs, not exceeding six square feet in area or four feet in height in all single family residential districts

• On-site signs not above roof ridgeline

  On-site signs, to advertise a business, whether temporary or permanent shall be no taller than or above the ridgeline of any roof.

• Minimum separation between off-site signs5,280 ft

  Off-site signs and monopole billboard signs may not be erected within one mile of another off-site or monopole billboard sign.

• Monopole sign count at shopping center entrance1 count

  Only one monopole sign shall be allowed at the main entrance of a shopping center or a strip mall.

• Monopole billboard max heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.60 ft

  No off-site monopole billboard may be higher than 60 feet.

• NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. sign damage threshold50 pct

  if the sign suffers more than 50 percent damage or deterioration, it must be brought into conformance with the code or removed.

• Off-site sign approval distance threshold (zoning administrator)15 ft

  Off-site signs which are located 15 feet or more from the front property line shall require approval of the zoning administrator.

• Off-site sign approval distance threshold (planning commission)15 ft

  Off-site signs which are located less than 15 from the property line shall require approval of the planning commission.

• Off-site signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. on scenic routes

  No off-site signs are allowed on scenic routes that are designated as such by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

• On-site sign max area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The sign is no larger than four feet by eight feet

• On-site sign max heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.16 ft

  the sign is no larger than 16 feet from the ground

• On-site sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.0 ft

  A zero setback shall be allowed.

• Permanent signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. in side or rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates.

  No permanent sign shall be located in any side or rear yard.

• Permit required for signs over 12 sq ftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.12 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  No sign over 12 square feet shall be erected, altered or relocated without a permit issued by the zoning administrator

• Sign permit validity period6 months

  A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six months

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: abandoned signs

  Abandoned signs in all districts

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: illumination confusing to motorists

  Is so located and illuminated as to provide a background of colored lights blending with traffic signal lights to the extent of confusing a motorists

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: flashing or neon signs

  Flashes or contains exposed gas filled of illuminated tubing such as neon

• Signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. in public right-of-way

  No sign, other than a sign approved or installed by the Virginia Department of Transportation shall be located within or over any public right-of-way.

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: intermittent lights resembling danger signals

  Displays intermittent lights resembling or seeming to resemble the flashing lights customarily associated with danger

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: moving signs and banners

  Moves (mechanical) in any manner or contain banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings or light bulbs or other similarly moving devices

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.: imitation of official traffic sign

  Contains any imitation of an official traffic sign or signal

• Temporary business banner duration30 days

  Banners when used in conjunction with the opening of a new business or an establishment going out of business in any business or commercial district. The duration of such permit shall not exceed 30 days and shall not exceed 32 square feet.

• Temporary business banner max area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Banners when used in conjunction with the opening of a new business or an establishment going out of business in any business or commercial district. The duration of such permit shall not exceed 30 days and shall not exceed 32 square feet.

• Temporary construction sign max area16 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Construction signs are permitted...to a maximum area of 16 square feet for each firm

• Temporary construction sign removal period14 days

  The signs shall be confined to the site of the construction projects and shall be removed within 14 days after the completion of the project.

• Temporary election sign removal period30 days

  All signs involving an election or its candidates are exempt, but they shall be removed within 30 days after the election for which they were made.

• Temporary sign removal period14 days

  Temporary signs as defined in article 1 of this ordinance, but they shall be removed within 14 days after the activity for which they advertise has taken place.

• Temporary grand opening banner duration30 days

  Such banners shall be removed within 30 days concluding the grand opening.

• Temporary grand opening banner max area40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Banners when used to announce the grand opening and initiation of sales of lots and/or dwelling units within a newly developing residential project having at least ten lots or units. Such banner shall not exceed 40 square feet.

• Temporary signs shall not be illuminated

  No temporary signs shall be illuminated

• Temporary street banner removal period14 days

  Street banners...are permitted if specifically approved by the zoning administrator and only for locations designated by the zoning administrator during and for 14 days after such event.

• Max window sign coverage25 pct

  Signs attached directly to the interior or exterior of the windows of an establishment are permitted in business and commercial districts provided, that such signs shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the total area of the window