Sec. 24-70

Signage

• Non-residential freestanding sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.15 ft

  Such signs shall not exceed an overall height of 15 feet above natural grade.

• Non-residential freestanding sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.5 ft

  Sign setbacks shall be located at least five feet from any property line.

• Non-residential individual store sign maximum area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Individual stores, businesses or professions on the same property, exclusive of shopping centers, shall combine signs on a single standard and the square footage of the combined signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per face.

• Non-residential sign glare prohibition

  In either case of (a) or (b), above, signs shall cast no glare upon any adjacent property or public or private right-of-way.

• Non-residential sign lighting community character requirements

  Illuminated signs within community character areas and along community character corridors, as defined, are permitted as long as they comply with the following: a. A back-lit or channeled lettered sign as approved by the planning director in accordance with the criteria outlined in section 24-72. An applicant may appeal the decision of the planning director to the DRC. The appeal shall be in writing and shall document the reasons and justifications for such request. The DRC shall approve, deny, or conditionally approve the applicant's exception request based on the review criteria outlined in section 24-72; or b. Externally illuminated by either sign-mounted lighting or ground-mounted horizontal light bars, light strips, or spotlights, which shall be concealed by landscaping. With either ground-mounted or sign-mounted lighting, the bulbs, lenses, and globes shall not be visible from the right-of-way, and light shall not be directed in such a way as to cause glare for passing motorists or pedestrians. c. Sign lighting shall cast no glare upon any adjacent property or public or private right-of-way.

• Non-residential internally illuminated signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. in community character150 ft

  Internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited when such signs are visible from and located within 150 feet of the existing or proposed corridor or area as identified on the James City County Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map.

• Non-residential two signs corner setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.10 ft

  If the signs are located at the corner of two rights-of-way, the signs may be placed no closer than ten feet to the corner property lines.

• Non-residential two signs maximum cumulative area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The cumulative size of the signs at each entrance shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

• Non-residential two signs maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Each sign shall not exceed an overall height of eight feet above natural grade.

• Shopping center alternative sign conditions

  The shopping center is located in a mixed-use zoning district and on property designated as mixed use on the James City County Comprehensive Plan; (2) The property is regulated by a design review board with approved architectural and design standards; (3) The property is subject to a master plan of development approved by the board of supervisors; and (4) The signs are consistent with the overall development plan and approved by the planning director or the director's designee as part of a comprehensive signage plan for the entire shopping center.

• Shopping center alternative sign maximum area42 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  In lieu of (e) above, shopping centers may be permitted one maximum 42 square foot freestanding sign per primary entrance if in compliance with the following regulations: (1) The shopping center is located in a mixed-use zoning district and on property designated as mixed use on the James City County Comprehensive Plan; (2) The property is regulated by a design review board with approved architectural and design standards; (3) The property is subject to a master plan of development approved by the board of supervisors; and (4) The signs are consistent with the overall development plan and approved by the planning director or the director's designee as part of a comprehensive signage plan for the entire shopping center. (5) Sign location and setbacks. Such signs may only be placed on the property within required sign setbacks. Sign setbacks shall be located at least five feet from any property line. (6) Sign height. Such signs shall not exceed an overall height of 15 feet above natural grade.

• Shopping center alternative sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.15 ft

  Such signs shall not exceed an overall height of 15 feet above natural grade.

• Shopping center alternative sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.5 ft

  Sign setbacks shall be located at least five feet from any property line.

• Shopping center freestanding sign maximum per frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.2 signs

  Shopping centers shall be permitted up to two freestanding signs per major street frontage as permitted above in (a) and (b).