Virginia Beach

Signs posted on or otherwise affixed to utility poles, trees, or fences, or in an unauthorized manner to walls or other signs.

Signs advertising activities that are illegal.

All portable or nonstructural signs, except as temporary signs as may be expressly allowed. For purposes of this ordinance, a sign shall be considered as portable or nonstructural if it has no permanently mounted, self-supporting structure or is not an integral part of a building to which it is accessory.

Except as otherwise provided, signs projecting above the roofline or to a height greater than three-fourths (¾) of the vertical distance between the eaveline and ridgeline of the roof of the building or structure on which they are located; provided, however, that signs mounted on parapet walls may extend to a height equal to, but no greater than, the height of the parapet wall.

Electronic display signs, except as expressly allowed by the city council in conjunction with major entertainment venues or as otherwise provided in this ordinance.

Any sign that emits sound, smoke, vapor, particles, or odors.

Any sign larger in any respect than allowed in the zoning district in which the sign is located.

The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways, or parking areas. Light shall not shine or reflect in an offensive manner on or into residential structures, including motels.

No exposed reflective type bulbs or incandescent lamps shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such a manner that will cause offensive glare on adjacent property or create a traffic hazard.

No sign shall contain or consist of blinking, flashing or intermittent lights or similar illuminating devices, whether or not such devices constitute a public safety or traffic hazard.

No freestanding sign shall exceed twelve (12) feet in height from ground level at the base of such sign.

No freestanding sign shall be set back less than seven (7) feet from any existing public right-of-way; provided, however, that a freestanding sign having a height of eight (8) feet or less may be set back five (5) feet from any such right-of-way. The minimum sign setback from interstate roadways and expressways designated by the city council shall be one hundred (100) feet.

A minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet of planted area shall be provided around any freestanding sign

Planting materials shall include a combination of grass, ground cover and low shrubs not exceeding a height of three (3) feet at maturity or design elements used in conjunction with the sign, not exceeding the three (3) foot height limit;

All plant materials shall be placed in a defined planting area, which shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in width and shall be maintained so as not to obstruct the view of the sign face on either side;

Freestanding signs, including replacements of sign faces, shall display the street number of the property upon which the sign is located. Such display shall consist of numerals no larger than twelve (12) inches and no less than six (6) inches in height and shall be located within, but not extended above, the top portion of the face of the sign, unless impractical.

no nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged, moved or replaced, whether voluntarily or by reason of involuntary damage to or destruction of such sign, unless such sign is brought into compliance with the provisions of this ordinance or is specifically allowed by City Council

no nonconforming sign shall be repaired at a cost in excess of fifty (50) percent of its original cost unless such sign is caused to comply with the provisions of this ordinance.

Any nonconforming sign that has been abandoned for a period of two years or longer shall be removed by the owner of the property on which the sign is located, after notification by the zoning administrator.

No outdoor advertising sign shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of an interchange, or intersection at grade, on any highway, interstate or city council designated expressway (measured along the highway, interstate or expressway to the nearest point of the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way). On all other streets, no billboard shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of any right-of-way of any underpass, overpass, bridge or tunnel or a plaza serving such facility.