Chincoteague

Two flags, displaying a commercial message, with a maximum area each of 15 square feet shall be permitted for any business. Flags must be mounted securely to a wall or from a permanent flag pole. A home occupation is allowed one flag with a commercial message no greater than 15 square feet. Flags not exceeding 15 square feet in area and displaying an art design which reflects merchandise sold on the premises without any commercial wording, or "open and welcome flags" are permitted. The area of any such flags shall not be included in determining the total permitted sign area.

One projecting sign shall be permitted for any licensed business fronting on any public entrance to such business. Any such sign shall not exceed 12 feet in height from grade and shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. Such sign shall maintain a vertical clearance from any sidewalk, adjacent to said business of not less than nine feet and shall not extend beyond the outside edge of the public sidewalk. If such sign extends over a public right-of-way, a land use permit is required. The area of any such sign shall be included in determining the total permitted sign area of any such business.

Manually changeable sign(s) shall be permitted when built as an integral part of the business identification sign(s). The area of the changeable letters portion of the business identification sign(s) shall not exceed 15 square feet or one third of the total area of the sign(s) whichever is less. The total area of the changeable letter area shall be included in determining the total permitted sign area for any such business and shall meet any applicable sign height restrictions.

Freestanding signs identifying the name of the business may include changeable copy indicating the current price of fuel dispensed on the premises. The area of the fuel price sign shall be excluded in the sign area for the business.

Each gas pump shall be permitted a total of 1.5 square feet of sign area to identify the product dispensed. (Gas pump signs shall not apply to total square footage of sign area permitted.) Canopy's that are used to cover fuel pumps may extend 20 feet in height and may include the name of the brand of fuel upon the canopy, however this advertisement shall not cover more than 50 percent of the each side of the facing of the canopy.

One monument sign per public street frontage, identifying the name of the center only and not exceeding 32 square feet in area and six feet in height.

Each individual establishment within an office and/or industrial building may erect one wall sign of a size which does not exceed a maximum of 16 square feet in area. The top of the wall sign shall be located below the roof line and at a height no greater than 12 feet above the ground.

Commercial and industrial properties may erect a directory sign identifying the names and/or addresses of the establishments within individual buildings. A directory sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area and six feet in height and precludes the use of any other freestanding sign for the zoning lot on the same street frontage.

The number of signs for a permitted business on a lot of record with one main structure occupied by more than one permitted business, a multi-business main structure, shall be limited to two per business, not including incidental, directory or directional signs, unless otherwise specifically provided for and permitted hereunder. The total combined square footage of all permitted signs for such businesses shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Sign bases not containing a commercial message are not included in the computation of area. No sign shall exceed 64 square feet in area per business, nor exceed a height equal to the lowest point of the roof of the structure to which it may be affixed, unless otherwise provided for and permitted under section 7.13.7, roof and mansard facade signs, and 7.13.8, freestanding signs. In addition to the maximum allowed combined total area permitted for such businesses in a multi-business main structure, there shall be permitted one additional wall sign or projecting sign, not to exceed 20 square feet for business identification for each such business, and permitted freestanding sign area not to exceed 20 square feet. Two additional signs for the multi-business main structure shall be permitted not to exceed 25 square feet each if the multi-business main structure faces more than one public street or navigable water.

The number of signs for a permitted business on a lot of record with two or more separate main structures, multi-main structures, whereon each such main structure may be occupied by one or more separate licensed businesses shall be limited to two per business, not including incidental directory, or directional signs, unless specifically provided for and permitted hereunder. The total combined square footage of all permitted signs for such businesses shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Sign bases not containing a commercial message are not included in the computation of area. No sign shall exceed 64 square feet in area nor exceed a height equal to the lowest point of the roof of the structure to which it may be affixed, unless otherwise provided for and permitted under section 7.13.7, roof and mansard facade signs, and section 7.13.8, freestanding signs. In addition to the maximum allowed combined total area permitted for such businesses in a multi-business main structure, there shall be permitted one additional wall sign or projecting sign, not to exceed 20 square feet for business identification for each such business, and permitted freestanding sign area not to exceed 20 square feet. Two additional signs for the multi-business main structure shall be permitted not to exceed 25 square feet each if the multi-business main structure faces more than one public street or navigable water.

Signs on the interior of a lot shall be allowed and do not require a permit. The square footage of these signs is not included in determining the total permitted sign area. Such signs must relate to the business being conducted on the lot and such signs shall not be advertising for a business located off premise.

No sign shall be hung on a marquee, canopy, awning or portico if such sign shall extend beyond the established street line. The area of any such sign shall be included in determining the total permitted area.

Signs advertising only the name of the occupant of a store, office or building, the business or occupation conducted or the products sold therein may be placed on show windows; provided, that not more than 30 percent of the area of such windows shall be covered. The square footage of any such sign shall be included in determining the total permitted area of signs.

Any such roof or mansard facade sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area. Signs on mansard facade shall not extend above the highest point of the mansard facade. Roof signs shall begin one foot from roof edge and not extend more than four vertical feet from that point.

There shall be no more than one freestanding sign for any separate main structure whether occupied by one or more licensed businesses on a lot of record and not to exceed two freestanding signs per lot. The maximum area of any such freestanding sign shall be 64 feet per licensed business or 128 square feet in total, and such freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 feet in height. The area of such sign shall be included in determining the maximum square footage area permitted any such business or structure, as applicable under section 7.13. The height of the freestanding sign shall be determined from existing grade within a radius not to exceed six feet from the support system of the freestanding sign. The base of any sign without a commercial message is not included in the computed permitted sign area. Sign bases are included in the overall height. Each freestanding sign must incorporate a legally assigned street number for the business that it identifies or advertises. Freestanding signs shall not be placed within the established sight distance triangle.

A window sign shall be considered as a wall sign, and shall not exceed more than 30 percent of the window area in which they are displayed and shall not be placed higher than ten feet above the entrance of the door sill plate. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum combined area of 64 square feet total and shall not exceed ten feet in height. The area of any such sign shall be included in determining the total permitted sign area.

Address and name of resident. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet in area.

Menu and sandwich board signs. Sign of not more than eight square feet shall be displayed on private property. Per this ordinance this sign type shall not constitute a "portable sign." Only one sandwich board allowed per business or home occupation.

Directional signs; private directional signs on site. Shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall not be located closer than five feet to any property line.

No such sign, or combination of signs, in a residential district shall exceed 32 square feet in area or exceed five feet in height, and shall comply with all applicable setbacks in such residential district.