Rappahannock County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XII
Signs
[Amended 4-6-1987; 11-6-2000; 9-8-2004; 1-3-2007; 2-2-2015; 5-1-2023; 10-6-2025]
§ 170-92 Intent.
A.
The purpose of this article is to regulate exterior signs so as to protect the health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the community, to protect property values, to protect the historic, rural and natural character of Rappahannock County, to protect the safety of the traveling public and pedestrians, to promote the creation of an attractive and harmonious community, and to promote the reasonable, orderly and effective display of outdoor advertising in a manner that furthers the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
B.
The Board of Supervisors finds that signs are a separate and distinct use of the property upon which they are located and affect the uses and users of adjacent streets, sidewalks, and other areas open to the public; and signs are an important means of communication for businesses, organizations, individuals, and government. The Board also finds that signs take up space and may obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation; and that the unregulated erection and display of signs may constitute a public nuisance detrimental to the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to establish reasonable regulations pertaining to the time, place, materials, lighting, size, and manner in which outdoor signs and window signs may be erected and maintained in order to:
(1)
Strike an appropriate balance that preserves the rights of free speech and expression while still reducing and mitigating the harms caused by signs;
(2)
Promote the general health, safety, and welfare, including the creation of an attractive and harmonious environment;
(3)
Protect the public investment in the creation, maintenance, safety, and appearance of its streets, highways, and other areas open to the public;
(4)
Improve vehicular and pedestrian safety by avoiding saturation and confusion in the field of vision and by directing and controlling vehicular traffic and pedestrians;
(5)
Protect and enhance the county's attractiveness to tourists and other visitors as sources of economic development; and
(6)
Protect property values.
C.
The Board of Supervisors finds that the regulations in this article advance the substantial governmental interests identified herein and are the minimum amount of regulation necessary to achieve them, provided further that:
(1)
The provisions in this article that separately classify warning signs advance the compelling governmental interest of protecting vehicular and pedestrian safety.
(2)
The provisions in this article that separately classify directional signs advance the compelling governmental interest of protecting vehicular and pedestrian safety.
(3)
The provisions in this article that separately classify address signs advance the compelling governmental interest of ensuring that emergency vehicles are able to locate persons and buildings in emergency situations.
D.
Many of the signs allowed by this article are situational, and the likelihood of multiple simultaneous situations arising on a lot at any particular time is remote. Therefore, the Board finds that the number of signs allowed on a lot is reasonable and allows alternative channels of communication as situations arise without adversely impacting the purposes of this article.
E.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Board of Supervisors that the sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this article are severable. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid by the valid judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, the unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases, of this article. The Board of Supervisors further declares its intention that, if any regulations in this article pertaining to warning signs, directional signs, address signs, or signs containing copy that is commercial speech are invalidated as being content based and not justified by a compelling governmental interest, the remaining provisions of this article remain in full force and effect.
§ 170-93 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this article:
ANIMATED SIGN
Includes any sign, all or part of which moves by any means, including fluttering, rotating or otherwise moving devices, or is designed to be set in motion by movement of the atmosphere, including but not limited to banners, flags, discs or propellers, regardless of whether said device has any written message content. Also, an animated sign shall mean and include any sign or device displaying flashing or intermittent light or lights of changing degrees of intensity, with changes alternating on less than a one-hour cycle.
ARCADE SIGN
Any sign projecting from beneath the underside of any structural overhang or passageway (vehicular or pedestrian).
AREA OF A SIGN
Includes the area within rectangular lines inscribed around all words, symbols or pictorial elements on the face of a sign, provided that:
A.
The area of a sign or any portion thereof having a distinctive or ornamental background, which sets such background apart from a larger surface so that it forms an integral part or element of the sign, as distinguished from a functional part of the building exclusive of such sign, shall include the area of the background.
B.
The area of a freestanding sign or any portion thereof having a background which extends beyond the words, symbols or pictorial elements thereof shall include the area of such background.
C.
If any portion of the words, symbols or pictorial elements of a sign extend beyond a border or background, the area of such sign shall be the area of a rectangle inscribed around it.
D.
The area of a double-face sign, as herein defined, shall be considered to be the area of one face only.
E.
The size of a three-dimensional sign shall be determined by measuring the area that in two dimensions contains the smallest square or rectangle that totally encompasses the object as it appears largest when viewed from the right of way.
BANNER
Banner means a temporary sign of flexible material affixed to a framework, flat surface, or suspended between two fixed objects.
BILLBOARD
A type of off-premises sign defined by Code of Virginia, § 33.2-1200 of Chapter 12, "Outdoor Advertising in Sight of Public Highways," of Title 33.2 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The horizontal length of the building upon which or in front of which a sign will be placed. For the purpose of this definition, separate building frontage measurements shall be made for each side of a building when viewed from a public right of way. The total permitted area of a sign for commercial and industrial uses is regulated in § 170-107.
BUILDING-MOUNTED SIGN
Any sign attached to and deriving its major support from a building, including the following: arcade sign, awning sign, canopy sign, cornice sign, marquee sign, parapet sign, plaque sign, projecting sign, roof sign, wall sign and window sign.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign attached to a structure other than an awning, with frames attached to a building, projecting therefrom and carried by a frame supported at grade level.
DATE OF DISPLAY, END
The last date of display after which the temporary sign must be completely eliminated from the parcel.
DATE OF DISPLAY, FIRST
The date upon which any sign becomes visible to passersby from any public right-of-way or road.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign the purpose of which is to indicate the location and direction to a place, object, project, product, function, event, or business that is an off-premises sign. Directional signs shall be limited to signs indicating the name of the place, object, project, product, function, event, or business to which the sign pertains and directional arrows or language indicating the location of the business.
DOUBLE-FACE SIGN
Any sign having two parallel planes or surfaces upon which advertising is displayed.
DURATION OF DISPLAY
The time period elapsed between the first date of display and the end date of display.
FLAG
A piece of cloth or similar material typically oblong or square attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as a symbol or decoration; this includes pennants.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Any sign supported by upright structural members or by braces on or in the ground and not attached to a building, including the following: bulletin board sign, outdoor advertising sign, pole or pylon sign, ground sign or a vehicle-mounted sign.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign or canopy or covered structure projecting or extending from a building facade when such canopy or covered structure is supported by the building, including signs mounted on a cantilever.
MINOR SIGN
A sign not exceeding two square feet in area.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Any sign that directs attention to a business, product, service, or activity conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is erected.
PARAPET WALL
Any extension of the exterior enclosing wall of a building above the lowest point of the roof.
POLE SIGN
Any sign that is mounted on one or more freestanding poles.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any building-mounted sign that extends in excess of 18 inches beyond any vertical surface of the building that supports it.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign or portion of a sign so erected or affixed to a building as to extend above the lowest point of the roof level of a building or any sign attached to a parapet wall.
SIGNS
Any writing, letter or numeral work, pictorial presentation, illustration or decoration, emblem, device, symbol or trademark, flag, banner, sculpture or any other device, figure or similar character that is:
A.
Used to direct attention to an object (other than the sign itself), person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location, or to announce, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known;
B.
Visible from a public place, public right-of-way, parking area open to use by the general public, or from adjoining property; and
C.
For the purpose of clarification, examples of items that are not classified as signs include, but are not limited to:
(1)
Works of art. For purposes of this definition a work of art is any item expressing creative skill or imagination in a visual form, such as a painting or sculpture, which is intended to beautify or provide an aesthetic influence to a public area or area which is visible from the public realm and which in no way identify or specifically relate to a product or service.
(2)
Architectural elements incorporated into the style or function of a building, and
(3)
Flags and emblems or insignia of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Rappahannock County, other counties and states, foreign national, the United Nations Organization or similar organizations of which this nation is a member, any official flag or seal of the United States government, religious groups, civic organizations and service clubs, and historical flags.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to a structure nor permanently mounted in the ground that can be transported to other locations. Such signs may include but not be limited to paper or poster signs, portable signs, sandwich signs, directional signs or other movable signs.
TENANT
An individual, partnership or corporation renting or leasing commercial or industrial space for an individual business so identified by license. If the front footage is not directly computable for each tenant, then the landlord is responsible for distributing the same among tenants. Each application by a tenant for a sign permit will be accompanied by a letter from the landlord authorizing the sign as requested.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign attached to the glass area of a window or placed behind the glass of a window so that it can be read from out-of-doors.
§ 170-94 Prohibited signs.
A.
No sign or other device that simulates any traffic control sign, light or device or that is located in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with free and clear vision on any public right-of-way, entranceway or parking area or interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic on any public right-of-way, entranceway or parking area shall be allowed to be erected or maintained. No sign shall be erected or maintained in any location where it prevents or impedes free ingress or egress through any door, window or fire escape route.
B.
Except as provided herein, no person shall erect or display any sign upon or projecting over any public street, highway, alley, sidewalk or other public right-of-way, except that building-mounted signs may project 18 inches over public rights-of-way unless such projection would cause hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Any sign erected or displayed in violation of this provision shall be immediately removed by the Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative, except those signs that were lawfully in existence as of December 1, 1986, in which case they are subject to § 170-103.
C.
Animated signs are prohibited, except that some forms of temporary animated signs may be displayed in certain zoning districts as set forth in § 170-101.
D.
Roof signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed herein and then only those that meet the following criteria:
(1)
Such signs shall be in the same plane with one exterior wall of the building and must adjoin the top of the wall; and
(2)
Such signs' maximum height shall not be more than two feet in height above the lowest point of the roof of the building; or
(3)
A roof sign may be erected on a parapet wall or on a roof exceeding a 45% slope, provided that it does not extend more than four feet above the lowest point of the roof of such building.
E.
No sign shall be painted directly onto the exterior surface of a roof.
F.
Billboards are prohibited.
G.
Freestanding signs for which the long dimension exceeds the short dimension by a ratio of 3:1 are prohibited, unless such signs are less than four feet in height and set back from the property line a minimum of 15 feet, in which case the ratio shall not exceed 20:1.
H.
Off-premises signs unless otherwise specifically permitted in § 170-102.
I.
Signs attached, painted, or mounted to unlicensed, inoperative, or generally stationary vehicles and/or trailers. Vehicles and/or trailers shall not be used primarily as static displays, advertising a business, product, or service.
§ 170-95 Permit exempt signs.
No sign shall be erected or displayed without a current and valid permit issued by the Zoning Administrator; provided, however, that no such permit shall be required for:
A.
Changing the bill of acts or features on marquees at movie theaters and similar approved signs that are specifically designed for use as replacement copy.
B.
Signs of a constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and signals or similar regulatory devices and legal devices.
C.
Memorial tablets or signs and historic markers.
D.
Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation with a total surface area not exceeding 10 square feet on any lot or parcel.
E.
Signs that cannot be seen from a public street, right-of-way, or adjacent properties.
F.
Minor signs.
G.
Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising a product, service or entertainment.
H.
On site business identification signs located on an agriculture zoned lot or parcel displayed on any farm by the owner or other operator thereof. No single sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area and eight feet in height. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet. Only one sign shall be allowed per each state road abutting the farm.
I.
Any sign erected by a public agency, including but not limited to, signs giving directions and distances to commercial districts for the following types of commercial facilities for the convenience of the traveling public: restaurants, motels and establishments for the servicing of motor vehicles, provided that no such sign shall give directions or distance to any specific business establishment.
J.
Temporary signs, see § 170-101.
K.
Advertising vehicles. Advertising vehicles that are:
(1)
In operating condition;
(2)
Displaying valid license plates;
(3)
Displaying an inspection decal that is either valid or has not been expired for more than 60 days;
(4)
Used as transportation for the business; and
(5)
Parked in an approved parking space or parking area that serves the business, or temporarily parked at another business to actively receive or provide goods or services, such as to load or unload goods, provide on-site services, receive vehicle maintenance and repair, or obtain food for the driver and passengers; and
(6)
Not prohibited by § 170-94I.
L.
Over street banners when a governmental, non-profit, or civic organization obtains a single use permit from VDOT pursuant to the provisions of 24 VAC 30-151-450.
§ 170-96 Permit and application required.
Unless specifically exempted herein, a sign permit shall be obtained for each sign prior to its erection and prior to its first date of display, alteration, replacement, or relocation to ensure that it complies with the requirements of this article. Application for a permit shall be made to the Zoning Administrator of Rappahannock County on a form furnished by him. Each application shall be accompanied by plans showing the area or size of the sign and proposed design, the method of illumination, if any, the exact proposed location for such sign and in the case of a suspended or a building-mounted sign, the method of fastening such sign to its supporting structure. In any case where the applicant is not the owner (or owners) of the property on which a sign is to be erected, no permit shall be granted without the written consent of the owner (or owners) who shall also acknowledge, in writing, being bound by the provisions of this chapter. More than one sign for the same business establishment shall be included in one permit and be considered in total as part of a comprehensive sign application package.
§ 170-97 Fees.
A fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a sign permit, in accordance with the existing fee schedule of Rappahannock County, as established by the Board.
§ 170-98 Permit number.
The permit number shall be permanently written in some readable area of the sign. The first date of display shall be permanently written in some readable area of the sign.
§ 170-99 Revocation of permit.
If a sign is not erected within six months following the issuance of a sign permit, said permit shall become null and void as to such sign. Under no circumstances are permit fees refundable. Upon written request by the permittee and upon good cause shown, the Zoning Administrator may grant an extension of the six-month period.
§ 170-100 Rights and privileges revocable.
All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this article or any amendments thereto shall be revocable by the Zoning Administrator of Rappahannock County for cause whenever there is a violation of this article. See § 170-125 for violations generally.
§ 170-101 Temporary signs.
A.
The maximum temporary sign area per parcel in all zoning districts shall not exceed a total aggregate of 75 square feet, nor exceed a height of eight feet. Temporary signs must bear the first date of display and shall have a 90-day duration of display limitation in all zoning districts except for the Agriculture zoning district where they shall have a 120-day duration of display limitation as defined in § 170-93.
B.
Temporary signs do not require a permit, but must meet the requirements of this section, § 170-101. See § 170-95.
C.
In Commercial Zoning Districts, Industrial Zoning Districts, and the Agriculture Zoning District up to five fluttering, rotating, or moving devices that may be set in motion by movement of the atmosphere, including banners, flags, discs, or propellers, or other devices of like kind not to exceed an aggregate of 50 square feet in area and a maximum of 15 feet in height are allowed when they otherwise meet the requirements of this article. The square footage of the signage permitted by this subsection shall be counted as part of the total allowed temporary sign square footage permitted on a parcel.
D.
A single temporary sign with an area not to exceed 15 square feet in area that is removed daily for at least eight hours, and otherwise meets the requirements of this article, is allowed and shall not be counted as part of the total allowed temporary sign square footage permitted on a parcel.
E.
Window signs shall not be counted as part of the total allowed temporary sign square footage permitted on a parcel.
§ 170-102 Off-premises signs.
A.
The following off-premises signs are permitted only after application for and issuance of a sign permit:
(1)
Temporary directional signs to a business catering to the traveling public as needed at intersections, only with written permission of the landowner(s) and subject to the requirements of § 170-101.
(2)
Directional signs. A maximum of four directional signs (not temporary) shall be allowed per non-residential use including farms from which products are retailed directly to customers, provided that:
(a)
The establishment seeking a directional sign is not located on a primary highway and the directional sign is intended to direct the traveling public to the establishment from nearby primary highways.
(b)
The directional sign has a maximum area of 10 square feet.
(c)
A statement is provided from the owner of the property upon which the directional sign is proposed indicating consent to the erection of the sign must be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
(3)
In addition to temporary and directional signs, for every lot or parcel located in Rappahannock County that has received a permit for a sign, up to four off-premises signs may be granted only by special exception from the Board, subject to the following limitations and conditions:
(a)
Maximum area of sign: 32 square feet.
(b)
Maximum height: 12 feet.
(c)
Minimum distance from property line: signs may not be placed within a VDOT right-of-way and may not impair line of sight for pedestrians and traffic safety.
(d)
The establishment seeking an off-premises sign is not located on a primary highway and the off-premises sign is intended to direct the traveling public to the establishment from nearby primary highways.
(e)
A statement is provided from the owner of the property upon which the off-premises sign is proposed indicating his consent to the erection of the sign must be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
(f)
Mere directional signs are inadequate to inform the public of goods or services provided at the destination site.
(g)
Signs permitted through this section shall not be considered billboards.
(h)
No parcel shall have more than 75 square feet of off-premises sign area.
§ 170-103 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Signs that are either nonconforming uses or are accessory uses to such nonconforming uses as set forth in Article VIII of this chapter and Title 15.2, § 15.2-2307 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, as of the effective date of this article, shall continue to be lawful as nonconforming uses in accordance with such article; provided, however, that in the event that the nonconforming uses become an unlawful use, then the subject sign shall be deemed to be an unlawful sign.
B.
However, nonconforming signs, if damaged to more than 1/2 of the appraised value, whichever is less, shall not be repaired or replaced and shall be removed; and the extent of the damage shall be determined by the Building Inspector.
C.
Any billboard upon which no paid advertisement exists for a period in excess of two years shall be removed. See Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2307.
D.
All nonconforming signs and any signs for which a valid permit has not been previously issued shall be required to register or obtain a permit for the same within 30 days after notification by the Zoning Administrator or 360 days from the date the subject sign became nonconforming, whichever is first. Failure to register or obtain a permit for the same shall constitute an illegal sign, and the Zoning Administrator, after 30 days' written notice, shall cause such removal and charge the cost to the owner of the premises. No fee will be required for sign registration. Any sign erected in clear violation of any zoning ordinance in effect when the sign was erected, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, shall not be registered or a permit issued and shall be removed or altered to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
E.
The lighting of nonconforming signs shall comply with the requirements of § 170-107.1.
§ 170-104 Removal of signs.
A.
Whenever the use of a building or premises by a specified business or occupation is discontinued for a period of two years or more, any signs, including off-premises signs, pertaining thereto shall be removed within a period of 60 days following written notice from the Zoning Administrator. If, after written notice from the Zoning Administrator, such signs are not removed within 10 days, the Zoning Administrator shall cause such removal and charge the cost to the owner of the premises.
B.
The Zoning Administrator shall give written notice to the sign permit holder to remove such sign within five days when it is in violation of any provision of this article (except nonconforming signs), and it shall be the duty of the sign permittee to remove it within that time or bear the cost for its removal by the Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative. The owner of the premises shall be responsible only in the event that the sign permittee's business is abandoned for a period of two years or more and/or the tenant cannot be located by reasonable effort.
C.
The Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative shall remove any sign erected in a public right-of-way in violation of any provision of this article, impound the sign and give written notice to the owner of the sign if ownership is readily determinable from the sign. The owner may secure release of the sign upon payment of the cost incurred by the County for removing the sign plus $10 per day for each day of storage. Signs not redeemed within a period of 30 days after the placing of such notice in the mail shall become the property of Rappahannock County at its option.
D.
Any sign that becomes a safety hazard or that is not kept in good general condition and in a reasonably good state of repair and is not, after 30 days' written notice to the owner or permittee, put in a safe and good state of repair is hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be removed, obliterated or abated by the Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative. Any sign that, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, constitutes an immediate or imminent danger to life or property may be removed or put in safe condition by him immediately. The County may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration or abatement from the owner or permittee.
E.
Any written notice required by the Zoning Administrator shall be sent to the last known address of the addressee as it appears in the tax records of the Commissioner of Revenue of Rappahannock County.
§ 170-105 Waiver and enlargement.
Any size, number, or other limitations in this article XII, Signs, may be waived or otherwise permitted by issuance of a special exception in the rare instance when reasonable permitted signs are prohibited by this article.
§ 170-106 Resource preservation and residential zones.
Other than temporary signs, the total maximum allowable sign area per lot or parcel in Conservation, Agriculture, Residential Rural, Residential, Residential Village, and Mobile Home Park zoning districts shall not exceed an aggregate of 32 square feet, nor be more than 12 feet in height, nor be placed within a VDOT right-of-way, nor impair the line of sight for pedestrians and traffic safety. Lots or parcels with a solely residential use, are not eligible for a sign permit. Temporary signs must meet the requirements of § 170-101. The following types of signs shall be allowed and shall be exempt from the total sign area permitted in this subsection:
A.
Signage set forth in Code of Virginia, § 18.2-119 regarding trespass after having been forbidden to do so.
B.
Signage set forth in Code of Virginia, § 18.2-134.1 regarding posting land prohibiting hunting, fishing, and trapping.
§ 170-107 Commercial and industrial zones.
A.
Total sign area.
(1)
In areas zoned as Commercial Village: The total maximum allowable sign area per lot or parcel shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of building frontage. Total sign area, however, shall not exceed an aggregate of 75 square feet in area.
(2)
In areas zoned as Commercial General and Industrial: The total maximum allowable sign area per lot or parcel shall not exceed two square feet for the first 50 feet of building frontage plus one square foot of sign area for each additional foot. Total sign area, however, shall not exceed an aggregate of 150 square feet in area.
(3)
In areas zoned as Commercial Highway: The total maximum allowable sign area per lot or parcel shall not exceed two square feet of area for each foot of building frontage. Total sign area, however, shall not exceed an aggregate of 150 square feet, or an aggregate of 250 square feet if the building is over 200 feet from the highway right-of-way line.
(4)
Total sign area permitted is in addition to allowable Temporary signs present on the parcel.
B.
Permitted signs. Permitted signs shall be as follows when located on the same lot or parcel as the use to which the sign is directing attention unless otherwise specifically identified:
(1)
Temporary signs in accordance with § 170-101.
(2)
Window signs.
(3)
Roof signs.
(4)
Arcade signs.
(5)
Building-mounted signs.
(6)
Pole signs when located on a lot or parcel used as a gasoline/diesel filling station. All other provisions of this article notwithstanding, each and every gasoline/diesel filling station shall be permitted to have one pole sign not to exceed 20 feet in height. Whenever a pole sign is erected or maintained under this provision, no additional freestanding or pole sign of any type shall be permitted on the same premises except the following types of signs shall be allowed and shall be excluded from the total sign area permitted in this subsection:
(a)
A building-mounted sign with a maximum area of 32 square feet.
(b)
Temporary placards or posters displayed on the outside surface of fuel pumps.
(c)
One freestanding sign not to exceed 10 square feet in area. No part of said sign shall exceed three feet in height or four feet in height if set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line.
(7)
Freestanding signs.
(a)
One for each street frontage, which shall not exceed 75 square feet for each sign.
(b)
Additional freestanding signs as may be reasonably necessary to indicate entrance and exit to places of business shall be permitted, provided that such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area or three feet in height.
C.
The following customary advertisements and identifications located in Commercial Zoning Districts shall not be included in the total sign area permitted in this article:
(1)
A single sign identifying the name of the building, the address of the property and the telephone number, not to exceed a total area of 2 1/2 square feet.
(2)
Vending machines that dispense or offer for sale any products or services.
D.
General regulations.
(1)
Building-mounted signs may be located anywhere on the surface of the building and may not project more than 18 inches therefrom, except that signs may be projecting signs if they do not project beyond the street line or nearer than two feet from any curbline.
(2)
Roof signs shall meet the requirements of § 170-94D.
(3)
Marquee signs:
(a)
Signs may be on the vertical face of the marquee but shall not project below the lowest edge of the marquee. The bottom of the marquee sign shall not be less than 10 feet above a walkway or grade at any point. No part of the sign shall extend above the vertical marquee face, and no such sign shall exceed seven feet in height.
(b)
Marquee signs shall bear no structural weight of the building and shall support no structure, utility shed or other facility, except a sign above the marquee of not more than three feet in height identifying the premises by name or address. When such additional sign is erected, the area shall be added to the area of the display surfaces of the marquee in determining the total sign area.
(c)
The area of any sign hung, placed or displayed on a marquee, canopy or portico or on any roof or parapet wall or the area of any arcade sign or any projecting sign shall be included in determining the total area of signs erected or displayed on the property under this section.
(4)
No freestanding signs, where permitted, shall project beyond any property line or be within two feet of the curbline of a service drive or travel lane or adjoining street.
(5)
Unless further restricted by the provisions that follow, no freestanding sign shall exceed a height of 20 feet above ground level, including its supports.
(6)
All signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a walkway and 14 feet above a driveway or alley.
(7)
No portion of a freestanding sign shall be constructed to a height greater than 20 feet above the grade level of the property on which the sign is erected. The lower edge of the sign face of a freestanding or pole sign shall be at least 10 feet above the grade level of the base of the sign if erected or maintained within 15 feet of the curbline of the roadway. No freestanding sign shall be nearer than two feet to any building or other structure and shall be set back from the side and rear property lines, the same as indicated in the zoning district in which located.
§ 170-107.1 Lighting of signs.
A.
Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts:
(1)
Existing signs. Any lawful method of illumination of a sign in the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts which method existed before the effective date of this subsection may continue, provided that, if said method of illumination is discontinued for a period of two years, then any illumination of the sign occurring thereafter shall be in accordance with the next subsection.
(2)
The illumination of all signs in the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts that begins after the effective date of this section shall be governed by § 170-119.
B.
Residential and Resource Preservation Zoning Districts:
(1)
Existing signs. Any lawful method of illumination of a sign in the Residential and Resource Preservation Zoning Districts which method existed before the effective date of this section may continue, provided that, if said method of illumination is discontinued for a period of two years, then any illumination of the sign occurring thereafter shall be in accordance with the next subsection.
(2)
New signs. If the illumination of a sign begins after the effective date of this section, the method of illumination shall be by directionally shielded light fixtures targeted on the sign, or a light fixture which when used with architectural or structural elements is, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, the functional equivalent of a directionally shielded light fixture. No other type of sign illumination shall be allowed except by special exception.
C.
Temporary Signs shall not be illuminated.
§ 170-108 Use permits; special exceptions.
In the event that a special permit or special exception is granted to an applicant in a conservation, agriculture or residential zoning district, then in such event the BZA or Board may determine the size and type of sign to be allowed, taking into consideration the surrounding property uses and Comprehensive Plan, provided that such sign sizes shall not exceed the size of signs allowed in the commercial or industrial zoning district.
