Bristol

Residential signage shall be limited to one freestanding ground mounted sign per subdivision or development entrance not exceeding 18 square feet of advertising area per face, six feet in height, and shall be setback at least ten feet from any property line. A residential sign may be externally illuminated as long as any lighting is directed only on the sign and away from any residential property.

Signs in the FRD and the PUD district shall correspond with the regulations for the B-1 district found in this division, and are subject to the sign allowance flexibility in section 50-171.

Signs on residentially-zoned property for non-residential uses such as churches and schools shall correspond to the regulations for the B-1 district in this division.

All non-residential signs may be illuminated either internally or externally, unless it distracts motorists... Electronic message centers (EMC) may be used as freestanding or wall signs... EMC displays shall be allowed in the B-1, B-3, M-1, and M-2 districts; and churches and schools in all districts shall be permitted to utilize EMC displays. An EMC shall include automatic dimming features for low light conditions... An EMC shall not contain video, continuous scrolling messages, or animation. Messages or images displayed shall be static, appearing using a fade transition.

A master sign plan can result in an increase of 25 percent in area for wall signage and 50 percent in area and height for free-standing signs. For buildings that exceed three stories in height, the wall sign allowance can be increased by ten percent for every additional floor above three. Pole signs may be allowed for locations up to 500 feet beyond the interstate advertising corridor as long as the maximum size and height in subsection 50-167(5) is reduced by 25 percent for every 250 feet over the 1,000 foot distance.

Temporary signs may be erected without a permit in all zoning districts... All temporary signs must be securely attached to the ground, wall, or a fence; well-maintained; and must be removed if torn, damaged, falling down, or no longer legible... The FRD and PUD districts, and non-residential uses in residential zones such as churches and schools, shall be treated the same as the B-1 district for temporary signage regulations in (c).

Every sign and its structure shall be maintained as safe and in good structural condition at all times... Upon written notice from the city, the owner, person, or firm maintaining a sign shall remove the sign when it becomes unsafe, is in danger of falling, or it becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication; or it is determined by the city to be a nuisance, or it is deemed unsafe by the city; or is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of this division.

Any on-premises sign that is determined to be an abandoned sign... and does not conform to the minimum standards of this chapter shall be deemed a nonconforming sign and shall be either removed from the premises or made to conform to this chapter within 24 months from the date of cessation of the use... Any on-premises sign that is determined to be an abandoned sign, but is otherwise conforming to the minimum standards of this chapter, shall be painted over within 12 months from the date of cessation of the use... Any nonconforming off-premises sign which is determined to be an abandoned sign... shall be removed including the sign face and all of its supporting structure within 24 months of its cessation of use.

In requiring removal of unsafe, unlawful, or abandoned signs as regulated in sections 50-173 and 50-174, the zoning administrator shall provide 30 days from the date of the notice for compliance. If the property owner fails to comply within 30 days, the city may remove the sign and the cost of the removal shall be paid by the owner or person having the beneficial use of the premises. If the cost is not paid to the city within 30 days from the written statement requesting payment, the city may place a lien against the property until such cost is paid to be collected in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes.

Normal maintenance of a legal nonconforming sign, including changing of copy, nonstructural repairs, and incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the nonconforming features of the sign, shall be permitted. No structural alteration, enlargement, or extension shall be made to a legal nonconforming sign unless the alteration, enlargement, or extension will result in elimination or reduction of the nonconforming features of the sign. A nonconforming sign shall not be relocated unless the relocation results in the sign becoming a conforming sign at the new location. Should any legal nonconforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of 50 percent or more of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this article.

This section provides for a procedure for the application for a zoning variance or for an appeal of a decision of the zoning administrator...

The purpose of this district is to provide a protected area for golf course and residential development connected with a golf course, including both detached and attached single-family dwellings.

The purpose of this district is to provide for needed and properly planned mobile home parks in which spaces are offered on a rental or lease basis for owner or tenant occupied mobile homes.

The purpose of this district is to provide relatively quiet, attractive, and spacious areas for the development of office and institutional uses that do not generate substantial volumes of vehicular traffic.

This district is to protect rural, open type uses, including farming operations within the corporate limits.

These districts are established to meet the needs of Beaver Creek, Little Creek, and other streams and drainage ways designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to carry abnormal flows of water in time of flood; to prevent encroachments in the districts which will increase flood height and damage; and to prevent the loss and excessive damage to property in the areas of greatest flood hazard.

This district is established in accordance with Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2306 to protect and enhance valuable historic resources of the city.

The purpose of the arts and entertainment district is to promote mixed use and commercial development that expands the presence of and enhances the arts, culture, and entertainment within the district.

The purpose of the tourism zone overlay is to promote investment in the tourism industry through economic incentives and regulatory flexibility for eligible businesses that attract visitors.

The purpose of the enterprise zone is to stimulate business and industrial growth by means of incentives for real property investment and job creation, particularly in older areas of the city that have experienced loss of jobs and are in need of new capital investment.