Williamsburg

Parking spaces and driveways shall not occupy more than 30 percent of a front or rear yard area, and shall not occupy more than 15 percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of 20,000 square feet or less; more than ten percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of more than 20,000 square feet; nor more than 20 percent of the total lot area for lots in a cluster subdivision.

When the units of measurements determining the number of required parking spaces results in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction less than one-half shall be disregarded, and fractions of one-half or over one-half shall require one additional parking space.

Spaces designated for off-street loading shall not be counted toward the required number of off-street parking spaces. Off-street loading spaces shall be located so that there is sufficient room for the turning and maneuvering of vehicles using said spaces. Access to off-street loading spaces shall not be across required off-street parking spaces.

The city council may authorize a reduction of the amount of off-street parking for offices (including doctors' and dentists' offices, but not including clinics and outpatient clinics) as a special use permit... The reduction shall not exceed 15 percent of the required off-street parking.

In lieu of compliance with the regular parking regulations contained in this article, property owners in the downtown business district B-1, economic development district ED, economic development district ED-2, Colonial Williamsburg historic area CW, museum support district MS, and planned development college district PDC may submit a parking master plan for approval as a special use permit by the city council

No off-street parking shall be required for non-residential uses located in downtown parking district... One off-street parking space shall be required for each dwelling unit located in the downtown parking district, except that for senior housing, as defined, one off-street parking space shall be required for each two dwelling units.

A midtown parking district is created to establish special parking requirements appropriate to the unique character of this area, which is included in the city's Arts and Cultural District.

The Economic Development Parking District shall apply to all areas of the city zoned ED Economic Development District.

A noncommercial message may be substituted, in whole or in part, for the message displayed on any sign which conforms to this article, including any conditions imposed by the Architectural Review Board, without consideration of the message content.

A noncommercial message may be substituted... Sign area shall be calculated... No sign shall be erected without a permit... Liability insurance required for signs on right-of-way.

Corridor sign district. This district is designed to ensure that signage in the city's entrance corridors is harmonious and compatible with the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, the College of William and Mary, and the various older neighborhoods in the architectural preservation district, and that the signage contributes to the improvement of the design of the city's major commercial corridors.

Sign area shall be calculated as the area within a parallelogram, triangle, circle, semicircle or other regular geometric figure including all letters, figures, graphics or other elements of the sign, together with the framework or background of the sign.

No sign shall be erected, constructed, placed, altered, relocated, or changed in size or height without a sign permit having been issued by the zoning administrator, except as otherwise provided in this article.

No sign, except those qualifying for permit exceptions, shall be painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, refaced, relocated, expanded or otherwise altered until a sign permit has been obtained from the zoning administrator.

No sign permit shall be issued for any sign which is to be erected, constructed, placed, altered, relocated, or changed in size or height unless the applicant provides proof of liability insurance in an amount of not less than $300,000.00 per occurrence, covering bodily injury and property damage, for the sign to be erected.

No permitted sign located on or projecting over a city right-of-way shall be erected unless an insurance policy shall have been filed for public liability with a total limit of $600,000.00 per accident/$300,000.00 per person bodily injury/$150,000.00 property damage.

No sign shall be erected or maintained on any lot or premises unless such sign pertains to the use of the lot or premises upon which it is located, or to the sale or lease of the lot or premises itself, except as otherwise provided in this article.

Any commercial message carried by permitted signs shall pertain to the business located on the same premises as the sign; or to any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit.

Changeable message signs shall be permitted only as specifically provided in this article for each sign district.

For signs with changeable message panels or zip tracks, the changeable message area of the sign shall not exceed 25 percent of the total sign area, except for service stations and convenience stores with gasoline sales, where the changeable message area of the sign shall not exceed 75 percent of the total sign area. Reverse white or light-colored lettering with no white background is required. Electronic changeable message boards shall be prohibited.