Sec. 9-1006

Signage

• Canopy/awning internal lighting prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Canopies or awnings used for building accents over doors, windows, etc. shall not be internally lit (i.e., from underneath or behind the canopy or awning).

• Directional sign count per entrance1 signs

  Civic, office, commercial, and industrial use types, as defined in article III, shall be allowed one (1) freestanding directional sign per building entrance, not to exceed four (4) signs per parcel.

• Directional sign maximum count per parcel4 signs

  Civic, office, commercial, and industrial use types, as defined in article III, shall be allowed one (1) freestanding directional sign per building entrance, not to exceed four (4) signs per parcel.

• Double-post sign face minimum thickness1.5 in

  Sign face shall be a minimum of one and one-half (1½) inches thick.

• Double-post sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft

  Total sign structure height shall not exceed six (6) feet.

• Double-post sign post minimum size4 in

  Mounting posts shall be a minimum size of four-inch by four-inch or five-inch diameter.

• Double-post sign post spacing percentage75 pct

  The sign structure shall consist of two (2) mounting posts, set at least seventy-five (75) percent of the total sign length apart.

• Electronic message board count per premises1 boards

  Only one (1) message board per premises is permitted.

• Electronic message board maximum area percentage50 pct

  Such boards shall be permitted only when incorporated with a permitted freestanding sign and shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of a permitted individual freestanding sign area.

• Electronic message board minimum change interval30 sec

  The rate of change for the electronic message shall be no less than thirty (30) seconds between changes.

• Freestanding sign count per frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.1 signs

  Each nonresidential establishment, except for planned developments, home occupations, and shopping centers, regulated separately, shall be allowed a total of one (1) freestanding sign per lot or parcel on each street frontage

• Freestanding sign area (option 1)16 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than sixteen (16) square feet in size and a maximum of six (6) feet in height

• Freestanding sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. (option 1)6 ft

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than sixteen (16) square feet in size and a maximum of six (6) feet in height

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 1, narrow ROW)30 ft

  Where the right-of-way is less than fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is thirty (30) feet from the centerline of the road.

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 1, wide ROW)5 ft

  Where the right-of-way is greater than or equal to fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is five (5) feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

• Freestanding sign area (option 2)32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than thirty-two (32) square feet in size and a maximum of six (6) feet in height

• Freestanding sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. (option 2)6 ft

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than thirty-two (32) square feet in size and a maximum of six (6) feet in height

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 2, narrow ROW)40 ft

  Where the right-of-way is less than fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is forty (40) feet from the edge of the centerline of the road.

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 2, wide ROW)15 ft

  Where the right-of-way is greater than or equal to fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is fifteen (15) feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

• Freestanding sign area (option 3)50 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than fifty (50) square feet in size and a maximum of eight (8) feet in height

• Freestanding sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. (option 3)8 ft

  One (1) freestanding sign on each street frontage, limited to no more than fifty (50) square feet in size and a maximum of eight (8) feet in height

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 3, narrow ROW)60 ft

  Where the right-of-way is less than fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is sixty (60) feet from the centerline of the road.

• Freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (option 3, wide ROW)35 ft

  Where the right-of-way is greater than or equal to fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is thirty-five (35) feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

• HCO/NDSO sign type (large building)

  Establishments with a building area greater than ten thousand (10,000) square feet shall construct a monument-type sign as specified in subsection 9-1006.C.

• HCO/NDSO sign type (small building)

  Establishments with a building area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less may construct either a monument-type sign as specified in subsection 9-1006.C or a double-post sign as specified in subsection 9-1006.C.

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign area4 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Home occupations are allowed one (1) freestanding sign per parcel, limited to no more than four (4) square feet in size and four (4) feet in height

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.4 ft

  Home occupations are allowed one (1) freestanding sign per parcel, limited to no more than four (4) square feet in size and four (4) feet in height

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign illumination prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Home occupation signs shall not be illuminated.

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (narrow ROW)30 ft

  Where the right-of-way is less than fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is thirty (30) feet from the centerline of the road.

• Home occupationHome occupationA business run from a dwelling, permitted so long as it stays subordinate to living there. sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (wide ROW)5 ft

  Where the right-of-way is greater than or equal to fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is five (5) feet from the edge of right-of-way.

• Monument sign base heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. requirement

  The height of the base of the sign shall be less than or equal to the height of the sign face.

• Monument sign base width requirement

  The width of the base of the sign shall be equal to or greater than the width of the sign face.

• Monument sign landscaping required

  Shrubs, flowers, or other landscaping materials which do not obscure the sign face shall be incorporated into the sign installation area.

• Monument sign total heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. requirement

  The total height of the sign, including the base, shall be less than the width of the base.

• Out parcel facade sign maximum area percentage10 pct

  Out parcels platted as part of a shopping center shall be allowed one (1) facade sign per establishment, not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the wall facing a public street.

• Projecting sign bottom clearance8 ft

  All projecting signs shall be mounted such that the bottom of the sign is a minimum of eight (8) feet above grade.

• Projecting sign maximum area percentage10 pct

  Each projecting sign shall be limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall it is attached to, or forty (40) square feet in size, whichever is less.

• Projecting sign maximum area40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Each projecting sign shall be limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall it is attached to, or forty (40) square feet in size, whichever is less.

• Projecting sign maximum projection48 in

  No projecting sign shall extend more than forty-eight (48) inches from the building or structure it is attached to.

• Projecting sign maximum area (village center)6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Nonresidential establishments in the village center district shall be limited to six (6) square feet in size, or less.

• Residential identification sign count per entrance1 signs

  Residential subdivisions, multifamily developments, and mobile home parks shall be allowed one (1) freestanding identification sign per public entrance

• Shopping center facade sign maximum area percentage10 pct

  Individual establishments within a shopping center shall each be allowed one (1) facade identification sign which does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the wall frontage dedicated to that establishment.

• Shopping center freestanding sign area80 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Shopping centers shall be allowed one (1) freestanding identification sign on each public road frontage, each limited to no more than eighty (80) square feet in size and ten (10) feet in height

• Shopping center freestanding sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.10 ft

  Shopping centers shall be allowed one (1) freestanding identification sign on each public road frontage, each limited to no more than eighty (80) square feet in size and ten (10) feet in height

• Shopping center freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (narrow ROW)60 ft

  Where the right-of-way is less than fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is sixty (60) feet from the centerline of the road.

• Shopping center freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. (wide ROW)35 ft

  Where the right-of-way is greater than or equal to fifty (50) feet, the minimum setback is thirty-five (35) feet from the edge of right-of-way.

• Shopping center projecting sign bottom clearance8 ft

  All projecting signs shall be mounted such that the bottom of the sign is at least eight (8) feet above grade.

• Shopping center projecting sign maximum area percentage10 pct

  In lieu of a facade identification sign, individual establishments within a shopping center shall each be allowed one (1) projecting sign which does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the wall frontage dedicated to that establishment or twelve (12) square feet, whichever is less.

• Shopping center projecting sign maximum area12 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  In lieu of a facade identification sign, individual establishments within a shopping center shall each be allowed one (1) projecting sign which does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the wall frontage dedicated to that establishment or twelve (12) square feet, whichever is less.

• Shopping center projecting sign maximum area (village center)6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Projecting signs utilized in the village center district shall be limited to six (6) square feet in size.

• Sign color palette

  Colors schemes for signs shall be subtle and the colors for the sign structure shall be selected from the Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Color Palette or other formally recognized historic palette as approved by the zoning administrator.

• Single-post sign allowed districts

  Single-post signs may be utilized in RAC, RR, and VC districts, or for historical markers in any district.

• Single-post sign maximum area4 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Sign area shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

• Single-post sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Signs shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

• Wall sign maximum area percentage10 pct

  limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall of the side of the building with road frontage on a public street or highway, or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less

• Wall sign maximum area200 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall of the side of the building with road frontage on a public street or highway, or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less

• Wall sign maximum area percentage (mixed-use)10 pct

  In the case of mixed-use buildings which are not shopping centers, each building shall be allowed a one (1) or more wall signs attached to an exterior wall. Such signs shall be limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall it is attached to or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.

• Wall sign maximum area (mixed-use)40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  In the case of mixed-use buildings which are not shopping centers, each building shall be allowed a one (1) or more wall signs attached to an exterior wall. Such signs shall be limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall it is attached to or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.

• Wall sign maximum area percentage (village center)5 pct

  In the village center district, nonresidential establishments shall be limited to a total of one (1) or more wall signs, limited to not more than five (5) percent of the area of wall fronting or facing a public street or highway or sixteen (16) square feet, whichever is less.

• Wall sign maximum area (village center)16 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  In the village center district, nonresidential establishments shall be limited to a total of one (1) or more wall signs, limited to not more than five (5) percent of the area of wall fronting or facing a public street or highway or sixteen (16) square feet, whichever is less.

• Wayside stand sign area4 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Wayside stands shall be allowed one (1) freestanding sign or one (1) facade sign, attached to the wayside stand, no larger than four (4) square feet in size and a maximum of twelve (12) feet in height.

• Wayside stand sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.12 ft

  Wayside stands shall be allowed one (1) freestanding sign or one (1) facade sign, attached to the wayside stand, no larger than four (4) square feet in size and a maximum of twelve (12) feet in height.

• Window sign maximum area20 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  A permanent window sign, individually or collectively, shall be limited to no more than twenty (20) square feet.