Sec. 21-747

Signage

• Accent sign allowed

  one illuminated or non-illuminated 'accent' sign placed behind a window shall be allowed for each business, not to exceed two square feet in area.

• Accent sign illumination allowed

  Illumination may be internal, external, by exposed LED lights, or by one or more exposed tubular electrical discharge lamps containing neon or other similar gasses (commonly referred to as a neon sign).

• Maximum accent sign area2 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  not to exceed two square feet in area.

• Additional shopping center sign location on city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Location on a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Maximum additional shopping center sign area10 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: Ten square feet.

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

  Maximum height for freestanding signs: Ten feet.

• Additional shopping center sign projection over city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Projection over a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Building-mounted sign area based on building setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.

  Building-mounted sign area shall be based upon building setback, measured perpendicular from the property line to the center of the building frontage.

• Canopy signs allowed for shopping centers

  Signs mounted under a canopy or covered walkway, and designed to be viewed primarily by pedestrians, shall be permitted for shopping centers if the following conditions are met (no architectural review board approval or sign permit shall be required): a. Number of signs permitted: One canopy sign for each business in the shopping center. This sign shall not count toward the maximum sign area permitted by subsection 21-747(2). b. Maximum sign area: Three square feet. c. Projection over a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Maximum canopy sign area3 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: Three square feet.

• Contiguous properties with shared parking considered one lot

  Freestanding or monument signs shall be located on the lot on which the business is located, and contiguous properties having shared parking lots and/or driveways which are established by a recorded deed or easement approved as to form by the city attorney prior to the erection of the sign may be considered as one lot for the purpose of this subsection 27-747(1).

• Drive-thru window signage not visible from public street or sidewalk

  Signage for drive-thru windows adjacent to the drive-thru driveway shall be located so that the information on the sign is not visible from a public street or sidewalk.

• Maximum freestanding or monument sign area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: 32 square feet.

• Maximum freestanding or monument sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Maximum height: Eight feet, subject to the following: i. For a monument sign, the height of the sign base shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face. ii. For a freestanding sign, the distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign face shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• Freestanding sign bottom heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. ratio50 pct

  For a freestanding sign, the distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign face shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• Minimum separation between signs100 ft

  There shall be a minimum separation between signs of 100 feet.

• One sign per 250 feet of frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street. on arterial/collector250 ft

  when property frontage is on a street designated by the comprehensive plan as a major arterial, minor arterial, or collector, there may be one sign for each 250 feet of property frontage, not to exceed a total of two signs for the business.

• Freestanding sign support requirement

  A freestanding sign shall be supported by a pole or post on each end of the sign, and the area underneath the entire width of the sign face shall be landscaped. Freestanding signs supported by a single center pole or post shall not be allowed.

• Gasoline pump island signs allowed

  Non-illuminated gasoline pump island signs shall be permitted subject to the following restrictions: a. Three signs per pump island not to exceed 2½ square feet each (no architectural review board approval or sign permit shall be required)

• Maximum gasoline pump island sign area2.5 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Three signs per pump island not to exceed 2½ square feet each

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

  Maximum sign area: 32 square feet for each sign.

• Maximum hospital sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Maximum height: Eight feet, subject to the following: i. For a monument sign, the height of the sign base shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face. ii. For a freestanding sign, the distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign face shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• One hospital sign per 200 feet of frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.200 ft

  One freestanding or monument sign for each 200 feet of property frontage on a public street, with a maximum of four signs for each street.

• Maximum number of signs on one supporting structure1 signs

  Number of signs allowed on one supporting structure: One.

• Monument sign base heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. ratio50 pct

  For a monument sign, the height of the sign base shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• Multiplex cinema marquee sign area per screen16 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Each screen shall be allowed 16 square feet of sign area to be used for the marquee.

• Maximum multiplex cinema poster area12 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The display of posters shall be allowed on the same side of the building as the main entrance, with a maximum size of 12 square feet for each poster.

• Maximum neon sign area in B-3 districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.12 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  the maximum size of an individual sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

• Neon/LED signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. except in B-3 districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.

  Signs illuminated by exposed LED lights, or by one or more exposed tubular electrical discharge lamps containing neon or other similar gasses (commonly referred to as a neon sign) are prohibited, except that in the B-3 urban business district such signage may also be illuminated by exposed tubular electrical discharge lamps containing neon or other similar gasses (commonly referred to as a neon sign), provided that not more than one such sign shall be located on any side of the building and that the maximum size of an individual sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

• Pole-mounted banner signs allowed in shopping centers

  Non-illuminated banner signs that are affixed to light poles. Banners shall be mounted such that the bottom edge of any given banner is not less than eight feet from the finished grade directly beneath it. The maximum size of a pole-mounted banner sign shall be 24 square feet. Pole-mounted banner signs shall not project over a city right-of-way. Pole-mounted banner signs are permitted only in shopping centers, as defined in section 21-2, Definitions.

• Minimum pole-mounted banner bottom heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Banners shall be mounted such that the bottom edge of any given banner is not less than eight feet from the finished grade directly beneath it.

• Maximum pole-mounted banner area24 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The maximum size of a pole-mounted banner sign shall be 24 square feet.

• Projecting sign projection over city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Projection over a city right-of-way shall be prohibited.

• Residential signs regulated by residential sign districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.

  For residential uses, signs shall be regulated by section 21-743, sign regulations for the residential sign district.

• Restaurant additional sign color palette required

  Permitted sign colors shall be from the approved color palette in the City of Williamsburg Design Review Guidelines, Chapter VII, Signs.

• Restaurant additional sign illumination prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Illumination: Prohibited.

• Restaurant additional sign location on city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Location on a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Restaurant additional sign material requirement

  Signs shall be constructed of wood that presents a finished appearance; or shall be wood, metal or plastic-faced within a metal frame. Rough-cut plywood is prohibited.

• Maximum additional restaurant sign area6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: Six square feet.

• Maximum additional restaurant sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.5 ft

  Maximum height: Five feet.

• Restaurant additional sign projection over city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Projection over a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Additional restaurant signage allowed

  In addition to permitted signage, a restaurant may also have additional signage if the following conditions are met (no architectural review board approval or sign permit shall be required)

• Shopping center interior driveway sign allowed

  One for each freestanding building housing a single business that is adjacent to an interior driveway. The sign shall be located within ten feet of the interior driveway, and shall be located at least 150 feet from a public street right-of-way.

• Maximum shopping center interior driveway sign area24 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  A sign for a freestanding building housing a single business that is adjacent to an interior driveway shall have a maximum sign area of 24 square feet.

• Maximum shopping center sign area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: 32 square feet, except that: i. When three signs are allowed for an individual street frontage, either of the following is allowed: (1) Two signs may have a maximum area of 48 square feet in lieu of a third sign; or (2) One sign may have a maximum area of 32 square feet and one sign may have a maximum area of 64 square feet in lieu of a third sign.

• Maximum shopping center sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Maximum height: Eight feet, subject to the following: i. For a monument sign, the height of the sign base shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face. ii. For a freestanding sign, the distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign face shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• Maximum shopping center sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. (48 or 64 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.)10 ft

  For a 48 or 64 square foot sign, as allowed in subsection 21-747(1)c.2.i., the maximum height is ten feet.

• Maximum shopping center signs per street frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.3 signs

  no more than three signs may be placed on each street frontage.

• One shopping center sign per 250 feet of frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.250 ft

  One for each 250 feet of property frontage on a public street.

• Sign location on city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Location on a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Sign projection over city right-of-way prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Projection over a city right-of-way: Prohibited.

• Maximum sign area with special exception200 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The maximum building-mounted sign area allowed shall not exceed 200 square feet, and the maximum multiplex cinema marquee area allowed shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet.

• Minimum building width for special exception sign100 ft

  The width of building, if a single tenant, or the width of the store, if located in a building with multiple tenants, shall be at least 100 feet.

• Minimum building setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for special exception sign400 ft

  The building shall be set back more than 400 feet from a public street, measured perpendicular from the property line to the center of the building frontage.

• State inspection center sign allowed

  Official state inspection center signs for certified state inspection stations shall be permitted for service stations and automobile dealerships. These signs shall be non-illuminated and located on the building. The maximum sign area shall be eight square feet, and shall not be counted as building-mounted sign area. One such sign shall be permitted.

• Maximum state inspection center sign area8 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  The maximum sign area shall be eight square feet

• Visitor center monument sign internally illuminated prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Illumination: Internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited.

• Maximum visitor center monument sign area75 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Maximum sign area: 75 square feet for each sign.

• Maximum visitor center monument sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft

  Maximum height: Eight feet, provided that the height of the monument sign base shall not be more than 50 percent of the height of the sign face.

• Minimum separation for visitor center monument signs500 ft

  shall be separated from any other monument or freestanding signs by a minimum distance of 500 feet (note: the separation distance would need to be reduced to 300 feet to allow the signs as proposed).

• One visitor center monument sign per 2,000 feet of frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street.2,000 ft

  One monument sign for each 2,000 feet of property frontage on a public street, with a maximum of two signs which may be placed on the same street.

• Maximum illuminated window sign aggregate area24 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Internally illuminated signs placed behind a window or door with a maximum aggregate area of 24 square feet shall be permitted, but shall be deducted from the building-mounted sign area allowed by subsection 21-747(2)a.1.

• Distance beyond which illuminated signs not considered signs10 ft

  Internally illuminated signs located more than ten feet behind a window or door shall not be considered signs for the purpose of this section.

• Maximum window sign coverage50 pct

  not more than 50 percent of the window area shall be taken up by said signs.

• Non-illuminated inside window signs allowed

  Non-illuminated signs painted on or affixed to the inside of, or hung behind, windows or doors shall be permitted, provided that not more than 50 percent of the window area shall be taken up by said signs.

• Non-illuminated inside window signs not counted as building-mounted area

  These signs shall not be counted as building-mounted sign area.

• Non-illuminated outside window signs deducted from building-mounted area

  Non-illuminated signs painted on or affixed to the outside of windows or doors shall be permitted, but shall be deducted from the building-mounted sign area allowed by subsection 21-747(2)a.1.