Culpeper County Unincorporated

These development standards promote vehicle areas that are safe and attractive for motorists and pedestrians.

A minimum number of off-street loading spaces are required to ensure adequate areas of loading for certain uses and developments.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces for use categories is stated in Table 10-2. (Ord. of 5-2-2006(2))

The following parking requirements are established for all zoning districts. ... Fractional space requirements shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

This article applies to all signs, of whatever nature and wherever located, within the unincorporated areas of Culpeper County. All signs not specifically permitted or exempted by this article are prohibited.

Signs located on-site warning the public against hunting, fishing, trespassing, dangerous animals, swimming or the like. Such signs may be freestanding or attached to a building or a fence, and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area.

Signs for farm identification shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet for farms less than fifty (50) acres in size and forty-eight (48) square feet for farms fifty (50) acres in size and greater.

Signs accessory to an agricultural use located on a parcel of not less than ten (10) acres for the purpose of identifying such agricultural uses or advertising the products thereof. Such signs shall be limited to one per parcel. No such sign shall exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area. No such sign shall exceed ten (10) feet in height or be located closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line.

Signs posted by a service station or establishment for the purpose of identifying such establishment as being authorized to perform State safety inspections. Such signs shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area and may be either building-mounted or attached to an existing authorized freestanding sign structure.

Small signs which identify the name and/or address of the occupant of a single family dwelling unit. Such signs shall be limited to one (1) per dwelling unit, shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area, may be either building-mounted or freestanding, and if freestanding shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not be located closer than five (5) feet to any lot line.

Small signs displayed on site for the direction or convenience of the public, such as signs which direct traffic or identify the location of restrooms, public telephones, freight entrances or parking areas or limitations on the use of drive-through windows. No such sign shall exceed two (2) square feet in area or be located closer than five (5) feet to any lot line.

Temporary signs, announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, historical or religious organization. Such signs may be either building-mounted or freestanding and shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet in area. If freestanding, no such sign shall exceed ten (10) feet in height or be located closer than five (5) feet to any lot line. Such signs may be located on or off-site, and may be posted for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of a premise or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed. Such signs shall not exceed a total area of four (4) square feet or a maximum height of six (6) feet when advertising a single family detached, attached or multiple family dwelling unit; a total area of thirty-two (32) square feet and a maximum height of twelve (12) feet when advertising a multiple family dwelling development; a total area of thirty-two (32) square feet and a maximum height of ten (10) feet when advertising any commercial or industrial property, or any residential or agricultural property containing a minimum of twenty (20) acres.

Temporary signs associated with construction or alterations of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings shall be permitted in accordance with the following: (a) Temporary signs for a new residential, commercial or industrial development... limited to a maximum area of thirty-two (32) square feet, and if freestanding, a maximum height of twelve (12) feet. No such sign shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line. (b) Temporary signs for home improvements to individual single family dwelling units... shall not exceed a total area of four (4) square feet and a maximum height of four (4) feet.

Temporary signs announcing events such as 'Grand Opening', 'Under New Management', or 'Going Out of Business'. Such signs may be either freestanding or building-mounted and shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) A maximum of one (1) square foot of sign per linear foot of front wall. (b) If freestanding, not to exceed ten (10) feet in height or located closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line; (c) For a period not to exceed thirty (30) days; (d) On a given property, such temporary sign may be displayed only one (1) time by the same proprietor in a twelve (12) month period.

Temporary signs identifying permitted produce or wayside stands from each direction may be placed to identify such stands. Such signs shall be placed at least five hundred (500) feet, but no more than two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet from the entrance to the stand.

Temporary signs advertising the sale of seasonal products such as Christmas trees, pumpkins, and fireworks. Such signs may be either freestanding or building-mounted, and the total area of all such signs shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet. If freestanding, such signs shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height or be located closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line. Such signs shall not be posted for a period that exceeds forty-five (45) days.

Temporary private garage or yard sale signs. Such signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area or four (4) feet in height. Such signs shall not exceed five (5) in number per garage/yard sale being advertised. These signs may be off-site, and may not be posted more than seven (7) days before the event. They must be removed within two (2) days after the event.

Temporary political campaign signs may be permitted off-site in any district subject to the following conditions: (a) No one (1) such sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, and no freestanding sign shall exceed ten (10) feet in height. (b) All signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the nomination, election or referendum.

Window signs. No sign shall be placed on the window of a building or placed within twenty-four (24) inches of the inside of the window. (a) Permanent window signs may be displayed, provided that the area occupied by permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the window on, or within which they are displayed. (b) No such signs are permitted on second story windows or higher.