Shenandoah County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Signs
§ 165-88 Statement of purpose and interpretation.
The intent of this article is to regulate the size, illumination, materials, location, height, and condition of all signs placed upon private property for exterior observation within the County to promote the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community, ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists, and preserve property values. This article is intended to allow adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs. This article shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. If any provision of this article is found to be invalid, such finding shall not affect the validity of other provisions of the article that can be given effect without the invalid provision.
§ 165-89 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Any sign which violates any provision of Virginia Code § 33.2-1200 et seq.
B.
Any sign which is located anywhere other than on the property or structure to which it directs attention or to which it is appurtenant.
C.
Billboards.
D.
Animated, moving, rotating, flashing signs or appurtenances to signs which are nonstationary. This does not apply to signs that exclusively show the time and temperature.
E.
Signs which create a traffic hazard by obstructing sightlines, causing a glare, or causing confusion with an authorized traffic sign.
F.
Signs erected in or over a public right-of-way or upon public land without governmental authority.
G.
Signs that cause direct glare into or upon any building or property other than the building or property on which the sign is located or to which the sign may be related.
H.
Internally illuminated signs on any property located within the Conservation District, Agriculture District, or any of the residential zoning districts.
§ 165-90 Permitted signs.
A.
Signs allowed in all districts without a permit. The following signs are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit and do not count against allowances for each district:
(1)
Signs erected by the County or any other authorized governmental entity.
(2)
Signs or tablets that are written into masonry or bronze.
(3)
Signs which cannot be seen from a public right-of-way or any adjacent property.
(4)
Flags up to 16 square feet in surface area and no taller than the permitted structure height in said zoning district.
(5)
Two signs of up to two square feet in surface area and four feet in height for each lot.
(6)
The following temporary signs:
(a)
One temporary sign of not more than six feet in height and not more than 16 square feet in surface area on any property for sale or rent.
(b)
One temporary sign of not more than four feet in height and nine square feet in surface area on any property with an active building permit.
(c)
Signs posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official duties.
B.
Signs allowed by permit in Agriculture (A-1), Conservation (C-1), Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), and Rural Residential (RR-C, RR-A) Zoning Districts:
(1)
For residential subdivisions (including cluster housing developments, condominiums and multifamily uses), the following monument signs:
(a)
One sign at each principal entrance, which shall not exceed six feet in height or 20 square feet in surface area, subject to a maximum of 40 square feet of surface area for all such signs within a subdivision.
(b)
Signs and the monument structures to which they are attached shall be set back at least 10 feet from public and private rights-of-way.
(c)
If a sign is illuminated, the lights shall be ground-mounted spotlights concealed by landscaping. The lights, lamps and bulbs shall not be visible and shall be directed away from any adjacent property, public right-of-way and private right-of-way.
(2)
For property containing a school or church, signs not to exceed six feet in height and 40 square feet in total surface area. Only one sign is permitted on each road abutting the aforementioned uses and, if illuminated, the lights shall be ground-mounted spotlights concealed by landscaping.
(3)
For property zoned (A-1) Agriculture or (C-1) Conservation and containing a farm, one sign of up to 20 square feet in area on each side of the property that abuts a road. The total area of all signs shall not exceed 40 square feet and no sign may exceed 10 feet in height. If illuminated, the lights shall be ground-mounted spotlights concealed by landscaping.
(4)
On a property containing a nonresidential use, other than a home business or home occupation, one sign of up to 12 square feet in area on each side of the property that abuts a road, subject to the following:
C.
General regulations for signs in Local Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), General Industrial (M-1), and Limited Industrial (M-2) Zoning Districts.
(1)
When determining the maximum sign area permitted on a lot, the following rules shall apply:
(a)
In the case of a building having frontage on more than one street, permitted sign area shall be determined by the building frontage having the greatest dimension.
(b)
On properties housing two tenants with separate signs, the total maximum allowable sign areas permitted will be prorated by frontage to each tenant.
(2)
The minimum distance separating freestanding signs shall be 50 feet.
(3)
Signs within 100 feet of an existing residential use, lot or zoning district may not be illuminated.
(4)
Signs over 100 feet from an existing residential use, lot or zoning district may be illuminated by ground-mounted spotlights, which shall be concealed by landscaping. The ground-mounted spotlights shall be directed away from any adjacent property or right-of-way.
(5)
Freestanding or ground-mounted signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from front property boundary lines.
D.
Signs allowed by permit in Local Business (B-1):
(1)
Any combination of signs, subject to the regulations of this article and the following limitations:
E.
Signs allowed by permit in General Business (B-2):
(1)
Any combination of signs, subject to the regulations of this article and the following limitations:
(2)
In the event that a lot on which there is a shopping center fronts on multiple streets, such lot may have one freestanding or monument sign per major street frontage. However, the total area of all freestanding or monument signs on the lot shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(3)
On a lot on which there is a shopping center, building face signs (or wall signs) shall be subject to the following regulations in addition to all other requirements of this article:
(a)
Signs within a shopping center. A building face sign shall be permitted, provided that the total area devoted to such sign or signs shall not exceed 10% of the area of the first story face of the unit or 60 square feet, whichever is smaller. Such signs shall be mounted flat against the building on the side measured above.
(b)
Additional signs for buildings facing onto public rights-of-way or parking lots. When the same building faces a public right-of-way or parking lot on the rear or side of the building, a sign may be erected at the entrance on that side. The area devoted to such a sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the first story face of the unit or a maximum of 60 square feet, whichever is smaller, and such sign must be mounted flat against the building.
(c)
Signs on entrance marquees or canopies. Signs on entrance marquees or canopies are allowed, provided that the total area of such signs if constructed alone or in combination with other buildings signs does not exceed the maximum allowable dimensions and square footage as set forth in Subsection E(3)(a) and E(3)(b).
F.
Signs allowed by permit in General Industrial (M-1) and Industrial (M-2):
(1)
Lots with a single business. An industrially zoned lot may erect signs as follows:
(a)
Maximum permitted sign area. The aggregate area of all signs shall not exceed the lesser of one square foot for each linear foot of building frontage or 150 square feet per lot.
(b)
Freestanding sign. The total area of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Only one freestanding sign is permitted per lot.
(2)
Lots within an industrial park. A lot within an industrial park may erect signs as follows:
(a)
One monument sign not more than 60 square feet in area and 10 feet in height per entrance of the industrial park.
(b)
Individual lots in an industrial park may have the following:
[1]
One freestanding or monument sign not more than 150 square feet in area and 35 feet in height per major street frontage.
[2]
A building face sign not to exceed 10% of the area of the first story face of the unit or 100 square feet, whichever is smaller, and such signs shall be mounted flat against the building on the side measured above.
[3]
For buildings with public rights-of-way or parking lots on the rear or side, a sign may also be erected for any entrance on that side. The area devoted to such a sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the first story face of the unit or a maximum of 60 square feet, whichever is smaller, and such sign must be mounted flat against the building.
§ 165-91 Setback requirements.
Signs shall be located that distance from the street right-of-way as required under Chapter 12, Title 33.2, of the Code of Virginia; provided, however, that signs shall not be placed in nor overhang the street right-of-way nor cause any safety hazard. In addition, freestanding or ground-mounted signs within Local Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), General Industrial (M-1) and Limited Industrial (M-2) Zoning Districts shall be set back at least 10 feet from front setback lot lines or front property boundary lines. Signs that are attached to buildings shall meet the required setbacks for the respective zoning district.
§ 165-92 Permit required.
A sign shall be deemed a structure and require a zoning and building permit obtained using the application process set forth in § 165-104. The application for a zoning permit to install a sign must include a sketch of the proposed sign and its support structure, along with the area and height of the sign. For all signs requiring a permit from the Commissioner of Highways pursuant to § 33.2-1208 of the Code of Virginia, evidence of receipt of such permit shall be provided to the Zoning Administrator prior to obtaining a Shenandoah County zoning permit.
§ 165-93 Construction and maintenance requirements.
A.
No sign shall be extended above the height of the building (from average grade) or the maximum height of the applicable zoning district, whichever is smaller, unless specifically stated otherwise herein.
B.
Signs shall comply with Virginia Code § 33.2-1200 et seq., as applicable.
C.
All signs shall be constructed in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the regulations as set forth by the Virginia Department of Transportation Development and Construction Standards.
D.
All signs and structural components shall be maintained in good repair and in attractive condition. The County Building Official may issue a written notice directing the owner and permit holder to place a sign in a safe and reasonably good state of repair within 30 days of the notice.
E.
Any sign declared by the County Building Official or Zoning Administrator to be an immediate hazard to life or property may be immediately repaired or removed. All costs for repair or removal will be charged to the owner of the premises.
§ 165-94 Obsolete signs.
If a sign advertises an entity, activity, or location that no longer exists, is being operated, or is being conducted, the sign shall be considered obsolete and Zoning Administrator may provide notice to the owner of the property on which the sign is located that the sign face must be removed within 60 days. If such removal has not been completed within the 60-day period and the sign remains obsolete, the Zoning Administrator may cause the removal and charge the cost to the owner on whose property the sign is located or take such other action as is permitted by law.
§ 165-95 Temporary signs.
Temporary signs must meet the requirements of this section in addition to all other applicable requirements of this article.
A.
Temporary signs are allowed for the following periods:
(1)
For signs on property that is for sale or rent, only until the property is sold or rented.
(2)
For signs on property with an active building permit, only while the permit is active (up to a maximum of 24 months).
(3)
For signs on a location with a new business, 30 days.
(4)
For signs advertising a one-time event, a maximum of 30 days, ending on the day after the event, at which time the sign must be removed.
(5)
For other signs, 60 days.
B.
When a temporary sign is removed, it may not be replaced by the same or another temporary sign for 30 days.
§ 165-96 Nonconforming signs.
Any sign lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this chapter may be maintained although it does not conform with the provisions of this chapter. Such nonconforming signs shall comply in all respects with the requirements of Article IV relating to nonconforming uses.
§ 165-96.1 Special use permits.
Upon proper application, after the process set forth in § 165-106, the Board of Supervisors may grant a special use permit authorizing a sign which would otherwise be prohibited by this article. The permit may contain such conditions as the Board of Supervisors deems proper. Special use permits authorized by this section will be granted only in special circumstances, including but not limited to unusual topography, unusual lot size or shape, or other issues relating to visibility.