These regulations are intended to ensure compatibility with
surrounding land uses to promote the public health, safety and welfare
by providing standards to ensure against signs which unduly distract
or obstruct the vision of motorists and pedestrians, signs which are
structurally unsafe, and signs which by their location, design or
materials create hazardous conditions for the public. These regulations
shall govern and control the erection, remodeling, enlarging, moving,
maintenance and operation of all exterior signs within all zoning
districts established by this chapter. These regulations are not intended
to infringe on an individual's right to freedom of speech and shall
be applicable to only those signs that are visible from public rights-of-way
and adjoining properties. All applicants for sign permits shall follow
suggested design guidelines for signs enumerated in this article.
No sign shall be permitted, erected or used in Amelia County, except
as permitted in this article.
[Amended 2-18-2009; 12-18-2013; at time of adoption of Code
(see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
See § 325-2.1, Definitions.
[Amended 2-18-2009; 12-18-2013]
A.
A sign permit is required prior to erecting a sign controlled by
this article and is valid for six months.
B.
Signs may be illuminated provided the illumination shall be properly
focused upon the sign itself as to prevent glare upon the surrounding
area.
C.
Signs that flash, are animated, or use light-emitting diode (LED)
and/or intermittent illumination shall be allowed; however, at no
time shall these signs be allowed to distract drivers of vehicles.
Television quality animation shall not be allowed. No strobe-type
lights are allowed; flashing lights will not increase in intensity
or brightness. Electronic messages are not considered flashing. Message
changes shall be no more frequent than every five seconds.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
D.
Mobile signs shall not be permitted as permanent signs.
E.
Red and green lighted signs shall not be permitted within 100 feet
of a signaled intersection.
F.
On stores and other permitted commercial or industrial uses, exterior
signs pertaining to the use permitted are not to exceed one square
foot per linear foot of property frontage and shall be attached flat
against the wall of the building and must be limited to the store
front portion of the facade not projecting above the roof line or
coping nor facing the side lot of an adjoining residential property,
and be in general conformity to the structure and the surrounding
architecture.
G.
No sign will be permitted which would extend above the building roofline.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
H.
Projecting signs shall be at least eight feet above grade level.
I.
Square footage of signs shall be calculated as aggregate for all
surface area.
J.
Business signs shall include all signs for business to determine
square footage.
K.
Maximum height of any sign shall be 35 feet.
L.
Freestanding signs shall be at least five feet off property lines
and not located in a Virginia Department of Transportation right-of-way.
No person, except a public officer or employee in performance
of a public duty, shall paste, post, paint, print, nail, tack, erect,
place, maintain, or fasten any sign, pennant, outdoor advertising
sign, billboard, or notice of any kind, or cause the same to be done,
facing or visible from any public street or public open space, except
as provided herein.
The following shall not be deemed to be included within the
definition of "sign":
A.
Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic
or similar regulatory devices, legal devices, or warnings at railroad
crossings.
B.
Memorial tablets or signs; grave stones.
C.
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.
D.
Signs which are within a ball park or other similar private recreational
use and which cannot be seen from a pubic street or adjacent properties.
E.
Flags or emblems of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious
organization, temporary in nature of not more than 50 square feet.
F.
Signs displayed for the direction or convenience of the public including
signs which identify restrooms, location of public telephone, freight
entrances or the like.
G.
Signs placed by a public utility showing the location of underground
facilities.
H.
Signs designating private property (i.e., no trespassing, no hunting,
etc.).
I.
Signs of one square foot or less.
J.
Temporary signs.
[Amended 2-18-2009; 12-18-2013; at time of adoption of Code
(see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The following signs are prohibited:
A.
Unauthorized signs at the intersection of any streets in such a manner
as to create a traffic hazard by obstructing vision between heights
of 2 1/2 and eight feet; or at any location where it may interfere
with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic
sign.
B.
Signs which produce noise or sound capable of being heard even though
the sounds produced are not undesirable sounds.
C.
Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor.
D.
Signs erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct, or be
attached to, any firefighting equipment, window, door, or opening
used as a means of ingress or egress for firefighting purposes, or
placed so as to interfere with any opening required for proper light
and ventilation.
E.
Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which causes radio or
television or other communication interference.
F.
Those which imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal
or device or use the word "stop" or "danger" prominently displayed
or present, or imply the need of requirement of stopping or the existence
of danger on any highway.
G.
Those which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or
rays of light from being directed on any portion of the traveled ways
of a street or highway and which are of such intensity or brilliance
as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any vehicle.
H.
Signs which advertise any activities which are illegal under state
or federal law or regulations in effect at the location of such sign
or at the location of such activities.
I.
Any sign affixed to, hung, placed, or painted on any other sign,
cliff, tree, public utility pole, radio or television or similar tower,
provided that this prohibition shall not affect official traffic,
parking or informational signs placed on utility poles by the state
or County government.
K.
Abandoned signs. For the purpose of this section, a sign shall be
considered abandoned if the business for which the sign was erected
has not been in operation for a period of at least two years. Following
the expiration of the two-year period any abandoned nonconforming
sign shall be removed by the owner of the property on which the sign
is located, if notified by the County to do so. If, following such
two-year period, the County has made reasonable attempt to notify
the property owner, the County through its own agents or employees
may enter the property upon which the sign is located and remove any
such sign whenever the owner refused to do so. The cost of such removal
shall be chargeable to the owner of the property. Nothing herein shall
prevent the County from applying to a court of competent jurisdiction
for an order requiring the removal of such abandoned nonconforming
sign by the owner by means of injunction or other appropriate remedy.
L.
Signs which are inconsistent with state law or the provisions of
this chapter.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
Signs will be permitted in the various districts only as follows:
A.
Agricultural A-5 and Rural Preservation RP-5.
(1)
Business signs not to exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Church bulletin boards and identification signs not to exceed
16 square feet.
(3)
Directional signs not exceed 16 square feet.
(4)
Home occupation signs not to exceed four square feet.
(5)
Location signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
(6)
Temporary signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
B.
Residential RR-3, ER-1, R-1 and R-2.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
(1)
Business signs, with a total square footage not exceeding 16
square feet per sign.
(2)
Church bulletin boards and identification signs, with a total
surface area not to exceed 16 square feet.
(3)
Directional signs, with a total surface area not exceeding 16
square feet.
(4)
Home occupation signs, with a total surface area not exceeding
four square feet.
(5)
Location signs not to exceed 32 square feet (RR-3 District only).
(6)
Temporary signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
C.
Business B-1.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
(1)
Business signs along highways with two lanes shall be permitted
up to 36 square feet per operating business, regardless of the amount
of floor area and/or number of businesses. Business signs along highways
with four or more lanes shall be permitted up to 64 square feet per
operating business having less than 10,000 square feet of floor area.
For multiple businesses on the same or adjoining parcels, having separate
federal identification numbers and 10,000 square feet of floor area
or more, one sign shall be permitted up to 110 square feet to allow
for the combination of multiple signs into a singular sign. Gas stations
may have two additional reader signs for price and service advertisement
not to exceed 40 square feet each.
(2)
Church bulletin boards and identification signs not to exceed
16 square feet.
(3)
Directional signs not to exceed 16 square feet.
(4)
Home occupation signs not to exceed four square feet.
(5)
Location signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
(6)
Temporary signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
E.
Industrial M-1 and M-2.
[Amended 2-18-2009; 12-18-2013; 9-17-2014]
(1)
Business signs along highways with two lanes shall be permitted
up to 64 square feet per operating business, regardless of the amount
of floor area and/or number of businesses. Industrial development
parks along highways with two lanes and more than two tenants shall
be permitted up to 200 square feet. These signs should be located
at an entrance to the park.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(2)
Business signs along highways with four or more lanes shall
be permitted up to 64 square feet per operating business having less
than 10,000 square feet of floor area. For multiple businesses on
the same or adjoining parcels, having separate federal identification
numbers and 10,000 square feet or more of floor area, one sign shall
be permitted up to 110 square feet to allow for the combination of
multiple signs into a single sign with each individual business having
up to an additional 20 square feet. Industrial development parks along
highways with four or more lanes, and more than two tenants shall
be permitted up to 300 square feet. These signs should be located
at an entrance to the park.
(3)
Church bulletin boards and identification signs not to exceed
16 square feet.
(4)
Directional signs not to exceed 20 square feet.
(5)
Location signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
(6)
Temporary signs not to exceed 32 square feet.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
A.
Every sign permitted by this article must be constructed of durable
materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. The Zoning
Administrator shall notify the appropriate person that such sign or
outdoor advertising matter shall be repaired or removed within a specified
time period, and if not repaired or removed, the County shall remove
the sign or take other action to require prompt compliance with this
chapter.
B.
All signs must be registered with the Zoning Administrator. Existing
signs not conforming to all conditions of this article shall not be
repaired, altered, or rebuilt unless same are made to conform to these
conditions set forth in this article.
[Amended 2-18-2009; 12-18-2013]
Any sign lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this chapter may be maintained although it does not conform to the provisions of this chapter. Such nonconforming sign shall comply in all respects with the requirements of Article V which pertains to nonconforming uses. All signs must conform to the Uniform Statewide Building Code and other applicable County ordinances.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
A.
The Zoning Administrator may order the removal of any sign erected
or maintained in violation of this article. Upon determination of
such violation, the Zoning Administrator shall give 30 days' written
violation notice, by certified mail, to the owner of such sign, or
of the building, structure or premises upon which such sign is located
to remove the sign or to bring it into compliance with applicable
regulations. If the owner or person notified of the violation fails
to remove or alter the sign to comply with the applicable requirements
of this article within the 30 days, the Zoning Administrator shall
cause such sign to be removed at the cost of the owner or person notified
of the violation.
B.
Removal of sign shall mean the dismantling and removal from premises
of all signs, embellishments, and structures designed specially to
support such sign.
C.
This process described herein also is applicable to abandoned signs.
[Amended 2-18-2009]
The aesthetic appeals of a sign are as influential upon the
public as its text. Each sign's use of color, size, shape, placement
and selection of lettering can attract or detract from its effectiveness.
An effectively designed sign should identify the business clearly
and attractively, enhance the building on which it is located, and
make a positive contribution to the general appearance of the street
and neighborhood.
A.
Simplicity. This principle is part of the following elements but
is so important that it needs to be singled out. Simplicity is the
key; less is more.
B.
Compatibility. The sign should always be considered as part of the
building and not as an unrelated object attached to it. It should
therefore be compatible with the supporting architecture and with
its neighbors.
C.
Scale. Legibility does not depend on size, but on design. Signs which
are smaller in size, and are of cleaner and simpler design, are easier
to read than signs which push for all the maximums. The sign should
also be in proportion to the storefront, the building and the neighbors.
E.
Quality of materials. Quality construction materials meeting the
requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code shall
be used in every application.
