Northampton County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

SIGNS

§ 154.2.190 PERMITS REQUIRED FOR SIGNS.

(A) A sign permit is required except per provisions of this chapter. No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated or substantially altered except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and with a valid sign permit.

(B) Applications for a sign permit shall be submitted to the Planning, Permitting and Enforcement Department with forms furnished by that Department. The property owner shall provide sufficient information, which shall include detailed renderings, including colors, sizes, lighting and location for all signs. An application for a temporary sign shall state the dates intended for the erection and removal of the sign. Sign requests for a multi-use or tenant development projects shall be submitted in conjunction with the first site plan submitted for approval within the project.

(C) The Zoning Administrator or designee shall process the sign permit application and approve the application, reject the application or notify the applicant of deficiencies within 20 business days after receipt. Any application that complies with all the provisions of this zoning ordinance, the building code, and other applicable laws, regulation and ordinances shall be approved.

(D) If the application is rejected, the county shall provide a list of the reasons for the rejection in writing. An application shall be rejected for non-compliance with the terms of the zoning ordinance, building code, or other applicable law, regulation, or ordinance.

(E) A nonrefundable fee as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the Northampton County Board of Supervisors shall accompany all sign permit applications.

(F) Duration and revocation of sign permit. If a sign is not installed within six months following the issuance of a sign permit (or within 30 days in the case of a temporary sign permit), the permit shall be void. The permit for a temporary sign shall state its duration, not to exceed 30 days unless another time is provided in the zoning ordinance. The county may revoke a sign permit under any of the following circumstances:

(1) The county determines that information in the application was materially false or misleading;

(2) The sign as installed does not conform to the sign permit application; or

(3) The sign violates the zoning ordinance, building code, or other applicable law, regulation or ordinance.

(G) Special use. Comprehensive sign plans may be approved by a minor special use permit. The comprehensive sign plans shall establish the time, manner, and placement of signs, frequency of message changes, the materials, the hours of lighting, the height of signs, the total number of square feet of sign surface, and the number of signs to be placed on a site. Height of signs shall not be modified above the height permitted in the zoning ordinance.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.191 PERMIT NOT REQUIRED.

The following signs are not required to have a sign permit:

(A) Minor signs for non-commercial use;

(B) Signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, traffic, directional, or regulatory signs;

(D) Flags of the United States and other nations, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Northampton County and other political subdivisions of the United States and of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare organizations. All such flags shall be mounted in a permanent fashion with no more than two flags on a single pole. No more than three flag poles are permitted on any single lot or parcel. Flags shall be maintained in good repair and shall not constitute a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

(E) Directional on premise signage which does not exceed four square feet in size and six feet in height;

(F) Signs displayed on a truck, bus, trailer or other licensed vehicle while in use in the normal conduct of business. Any such vehicle or trailer shall, without limitation, be considered to be used for the primary purpose of advertising if it fails to display current license plates or inspection sticker, if inoperable, if evidence of paid-to-date local taxes cannot be made available, or if the sign alters the standard design of such vehicle or trailer;

(G) Historical markers identifying properties or structures which have been recognized as historically significant on National, State, or local registries, or in policy documents adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Historical markers shall be allowed a maximum height of eight feet, and shall not exceed four square feet in area;

(H) Temporary signs as follows:

(1) On premise real estate advertising signs;

(a) On premise signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of property shall be limited to one sign per agency per lot per street frontage or frontage on navigable waterway;

(b) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in size and a maximum of four feet in height except for agricultural, commercial and industrial zoning districts in which signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size and a maximum of ten feet in height;

(d) Such signs shall be removed within one week of sale or lease of the lot or premises upon which such sign is situated;

(2) Off-premise real estate signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of property shall be allowed in conjunction with a bona fide "open house" showing and shall not be erected for more than three days in any seven day period;

(3) One sign, no more than 12 square feet in area, located on property where a building permit is active;

(4) Not more than five minor commercial use signs per parcel; and

(5) Not more than three feather signs for commercial use per parcel. Feather signs shall be limited to 15 feet in height;

(I) Political campaign signs.

(1) Such signs shall not be located within public rights-of-way or attached to public utility structures and shall be limited to freestanding signs not more than 16 square feet in area; except in agricultural, commercial and industrial zoning districts, which shall not exceed 32 square feet in area; and

(2) All such signs shall be removed within seven days following the election, primary, or other event to which they were related; and

(J) Event signs.

(2) Event signs, including flags, indicating an event to be located on property where the event such as a grand opening, fair, carnival, festival, seasonal sale of local products, yard sale or other event is to take place may be erected no more than 30 days prior to the event.

(3) All temporary event signs shall be removed within seven days following the sale or other event to which they were related.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. 2016-09, passed 10- -2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.192 GENERAL SIGN RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS PERTAINING TO ALL SIGNS.

(A) Signs that violate any law of the Commonwealth relating to outdoor advertising are prohibited.

(B) Signs that revolve or are animated to change message content except as permitted in § 154.2.193(H) are prohibited.

(D) No signs or supporting structures shall be located within or over any public right-of-way unless authorized by the holder of the right-of-way.

(E) No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature or message it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.

(F) No sign may be located within the sight triangle that interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit public or private roads.

(G) Portable signs and/or off-premise signs shall be prohibited unless otherwise specifically allowed by this chapter.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.193 STANDARDS FOR SIGNS FOR WHICH PERMITS ARE REQUIRED.

(A) Unless a comprehensive sign plan is approved by special use permit, the following standards apply.

(B) Signs on properties used for non-residential purposes. Each non-residential establishment, except for planned developments, home occupations, and shopping centers, regulated separately in this section, shall be allowed the following signs, attached to a wall or building unit containing the establishment and conforming to the requirements set forth below.

(1) One wall sign, including digital display, shall be limited to not more than 10% of the area of the structure's primary wall, or 200 square feet. In addition, a wall sign up to 40 square feet shall be allowed on non-primary walls.

(2) In the case of multiple occupancy buildings which are not shopping centers, each occupant of a building shall be allowed a total of one wall sign attached to an exterior wall. Such sign shall be limited to 10% of the area of the wall to which it is attached or 200 square feet.

(3) Each establishment or, in the case of multiple occupancy buildings which are not shopping centers, each building, is allowed one projecting sign which meets the following standards:

(a) Each projecting sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the wall fronting or facing a public street or highway, or 40 square feet in area, whichever is less.

(b) All projecting signs shall be mounted such that the bottom of the sign is at least eight feet above grade.

(4) Canopy or awning sign shall be allowed in addition to the one wall sign or one projecting sign.

(5) Mural art painted building walls are exempted from the above restrictions if they do not contain words.

(1) Each non-residential establishment, except for planned developments, home occupations, and shopping centers shall be allowed a total of one freestanding sign per lot or parcel not exceeding 64 square feet and 30 feet in height. In addition each business may have one informational sign for approaching traffic from each direction of the business advertised subject to Virginia Department of Transportation regulations, subject to the property owner's permission, and not to exceed 32 square feet. Additional square footage shall be permitted on an authorized on premise freestanding sign to allow for signage indicating gasoline prices and grades. This signage is limited to a maximum of 100 square feet, shall not exceed the maximum height limitation for the freestanding sign and shall not be computed in the square footage of the freestanding sign. Specific to freestanding signs with additional signage indicating gasoline prices and grades, the minimum clearance from grade to the bottom of the sign shall be seven feet.

(2) Off-site town business directory sign. The purpose of such a sign is to inform travelers on Route 13 of businesses within a town and direct them to the downtown center. These signs shall be allowed up to 40 square feet in area, not to exceed 15 feet in height, and accommodate the town name, changeable business name panels, the Eastern Shore brand logo, a directional arrow and the mileage to the downtown commercial area. A sign permit is required.

(3) Design standards for freestanding signs on properties used for non-residential purposes.

(a) Placement. Except as otherwise permitted, all freestanding signs shall be set back from any street or pedestrian walkway at least the height of the sign.

(b) All freestanding signs, except for home occupation signs, shall be monument-type signs, double-post signs, or single-post signs, and shall comply with the following standards:

(c) Signs incorporated into a freestanding wall or completely solid structure which is set upon footings shall be entitled to a 30% larger face area than otherwise provided for in this subchapter provided the following conditions are met:

1. The width of the base of the sign shall be equal to or greater than the width of the sign face.

2. The height of the base of the sign shall be less than or equal to the height of the sign face unless architectural pillars are used.

3. The total height of the sign, including the base, shall be less than the width of the base.

4. The sign shall be masonry, wood, high density urethane (HDU), composite panel or other suitable materials.

5. Shrubs, flowers, or other landscaping materials which do not obscure the sign face shall be incorporated into the sign installation area.

(d) Double-post signs.

1. Total sign structure height shall not exceed 30 feet.

2. Sign shall be wood, HDU, composite panel or other suitable materials.

(e) Single-post signs.

1. Total sign height shall not exceed 30 feet.

2. Sign structure shall be a single vertical mounting pole and shall be made of wood, HDU, composite panel or other suitable materials.

3. Sign face shall not be attached directly to the vertical mounting pole and shall utilize a mounting arm attached perpendicular to the vertical mounting pole.

(f) Components of freestanding signs, (e.g., supporting structures, backs, and the like) not bearing a message shall be constructed of materials that blend with the natural environment or shall be painted a neutral color to blend with the natural environment.

(D) Signs on properties used for residential purposes.

(1) Properties used for residential purposes are allowed one freestanding sign per parcel, limited to no more than four square feet and four feet in height.

(2) Signs on properties used for residential purposes shall not be illuminated.

(E) Shopping centers.

(1) Individual establishments within a shopping center shall each be allowed one wall sign which does not exceed 10% of the area of the wall frontage dedicated to that establishment and does not extend over more than 85% of the horizontal width of the building front.

(2) In addition to a wall sign, individual establishments within a shopping center shall each be allowed one projecting sign which does not exceed 10% of the area of the structure frontage dedicated to that establishment.

(3) Shopping centers shall be allowed one freestanding identification sign per road frontage, each limited to no more than 150 square feet in size and 30 feet in height.

(4) Out parcels platted as part of a shopping center shall be allowed one wall sign per establishment and one freestanding sign per road frontage, with no sign greater than 60 square feet.

(F) Directional signs shall not be counted as signs for the purpose of calculating the total number of signs in place.

(G) Residential uses such as residential subdivisions, multi-family developments, and mobile home parks shall be allowed one freestanding identification sign per public entrance, which shall be limited to no more than 32 square feet in size and seven feet in height.

(H) The following additional standards shall apply to all electronic message center signs, whether they display a static message or image or a message/image that changes:

(1) Electronic message center signs (changeable message or image signs) which change more frequently than once every 24 hours shall be permitted provided that:

(a) Each message or image shall remain fixed and unchanged for a minimum period of five minutes;

(b) There shall be no appearance of movement, scrolling, dissolving or fading in which images or messages "move" or in which part of one message or image appears simultaneously with any part of a second or subsequent one;

(c) The maximum illumination intensity shall not exceed the limits prescribed in §§ 154.2.112 and 154.2.195 and in division (H)(2) below, whichever is less, and any illumination intensity, contrast or coloration of the message text or image shall remain constant for each display; and

(d) The minimum separation between any two electronic message center signs located on adjoining properties shall be 100 feet.

(2) Illuminance intensity of any electronic message center sign, whether with a static or changing message display, shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure foot candles and accurate to at least two decimals. The maximum allowable illumination intensity for such signs shall be determined relative to ambient lighting conditions by measuring the difference between an intensity reading of the ambient light taken with the sign illumination turned off and an intensity reading of the sign face with the sign displaying a white image for a full color-capable electronic message, or a solid message for a single color electronic message. The difference between the two readings shall not exceed 0.3 foot candle. All measurements shall be taken perpendicular to the face of the sign at the distance determined by the total square footage of the electronic message center sign as set forth in the following table:

SIGN AREA VERSUS MEASUREMENT DISTANCE
Area of Sign (sq. ft.)	Measurement Distance (ft.)
10	32
15	39
20	45
24	49
32	57
40	64
50	71
64	80

For signs with an area other than those specifically listed in the table, the measurement distance shall be calculated using the following formula:

(3) All electronic message center signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and which is programmed to automatically dim the illumination intensity according to ambient light conditions so as to ensure compliance with the 0.3 foot candle standard.

(4) Prior to the county's final inspection and approval of an electronic message center sign, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer/installer that the sensor is working correctly to keep the sign's illumination intensity within the prescribed brightness limitations set by this subchapter.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. 2018-02, passed 8-14-2018; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.194 COMPUTATION OF SIGN AREA.

The area of a sign face shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing representation, emblem, or other display. The area shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or decorative wall that is clearly incidental to the display itself.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.195 SIGN ILLUMINATION AND SIGNS CONTAINING LIGHTS.

Signs shall adhere to lighting standards pursuant to § 154.2.112 General Lighting Standards.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.196 MAINTENANCE OR REMOVAL OF SIGNS.

(A) All signs and all components thereof, including, without limitation, supports, braces, and anchors, shall be kept in a state of good repair. Any sign which becomes a safety hazard or which is not kept in a reasonably good state of repair shall be put in a safe and good state of repair within 30 days of a written notice to the owner and permit holder.

(B) If the message portion of a sign is removed, leaving only the supporting "shell" of a sign or the supporting braces, anchors, or similar components, the owner of the sign or the owner of the property where the sign is located or other person having control over such sign shall, within two years of the removal of the message portion of the sign, either replace the entire message portion of the sign or remove the remaining components of the sign. This division shall not be construed to enable the replacement of a nonconforming sign except as provided in § 154.2.197 Nonconforming Signs nor shall this division be construed to prevent the changing of the message of a sign.

(C) The owner of any sign, including a permitted off-premises sign, regarding a commercial endeavor, where the use or business has ceased operating shall, within 120 days of the cessation of use or business operation, replace the sign face with a blank face until such time as a use or business has resumed operating on the property.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.197 NONCONFORMING SIGNS.

(A) No nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in such a manner as to increase the degree of the nonconformity nor may illumination be added to any nonconforming sign.

(B) A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

(C) If a nonconforming sign is destroyed or damaged in any manner to the extent that the cost of restoration to its condition before such an occurrence exceeds 50% of the current replacement value at the time of damage, the sign shall not be replaced except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Such sign may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this chapter. The remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the property.

(D) Subject to the other provisions of this section, nonconforming signs may be repaired and renovated so long as the cost of such work does not exceed, within any 12 month period, 50% of the value of such sign.

(E) If a nonconforming sign remains blank for a continuous period of two years, that sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be altered to comply with this chapter or be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or any other person having control over such sign. For purposes of this section, a sign is "blank" if:

(1) It advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted;

(2) The advertising message it displays becomes illegible in whole or substantial part; or

(3) The advertising copy has been removed.

(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)

§ 154.2.198 REMOVAL OR ABANDONMENT OF SIGNS.

(A) A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises.

(B) The Zoning Administrator may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this section upon 30 days written notice to the owner of such signs, or the owner of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or to bring such sign into compliance with this chapter. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the Zoning Administrator shall take the appropriate action to obtain a court order to remove the sign.

(C) If a sign advertises a business or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall, within two years after such abandonment, be removed. The cost for removal shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Such sign shall be removed by the owner of the property if notified by Northampton County to do so.