It is the intent of this article to control all signs and advertising displays to protect property values, to encourage the most appropriate use of land, to secure safety in the streets, to achieve a more desirable living environment, to protect and enhance the attractiveness of Rappahannock County and to ensure the safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
The following definitions apply to this article:
ANIMATED SIGN
Includes any sign or device that attracts attention, 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 pennants, 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 not less than a one-hour cycle, except a sign indicating time and/or temperature.
[Amended 9-8-2004]
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 any or 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.
BILLBOARD
Any sign used as an outdoor display for the purpose of making anything known, where the product, business or thing so advertised or displayed is not on the site or property on which said sign is erected or displayed, excluding directional signs.
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.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign whose purpose is to indicate the location and direction to a place, object, project, product or business which is remote from the site or property on which such sign is erected or displayed.
DOUBLE-FACE SIGN
Any sign having two parallel planes or surfaces upon which advertising is displayed.
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.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
Any sign on which is portrayed information which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not necessarily related to other uses existing or permitted on the lot upon which the sign is located.
PARAPET WALL
Any extension of the exterior enclosing wall of a building above the lowest point of the roof.
POLE SIGN
Any freestanding sign greater than eight feet in height.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any building sign which extends in excess of 18 inches beyond any vertical surface of the building which supports it.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign advertising the sale, lease or future use of real estate placed upon the property so advertised.
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.
SHOPPING CENTER
A contiguous grouping of a minimum of five commercial enterprises comprising not less than 50,000 square feet gross floor area.
SHOPPING CENTER SIGN
Any freestanding sign which identifies only the name of the shopping center and not the individual enterprise or their products, services or amusements.
SIGNS
Any writing, letter or numeral work, pictorial presentation, illustration or decoration, emblem, device, symbol or trademark, flag, banner or pennant, sculpture or any other device, figure or similar character which is:
A. 
Used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known; and
B. 
Visible from a public right-of-way or from adjoining property.
SUBDIVISION SIGN
Any sign displayed for the purpose of advertising or identifying a housing development or division of land of 10 or more lots or dwelling units.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to a structure nor permanently mounted in the ground which 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 announcing or advertising weekly specials, real estate, special services offered by a business establishment or the like.
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.
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached to the wall of a building which does not project over 18 inches from the wall to which it is affixed.
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.
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 which 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 or warnings at railroad crossings.
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 which are within a ballpark or other similar public or private recreational use and which cannot be seen from a public street or adjacent properties.
F. 
Flags, emblems or insignia of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Rappahannock, other counties and states, the United Nations Organization or similar organizations of which this nation is a member, the President or Vice President of the United States, religious groups, civic organizations and service clubs.
G. 
Small signs which post or display address numbers.
H. 
Small signs displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, including signs which identify rest rooms or the location of public telephones or the like, with a total area not to exceed two square feet.
I. 
Small signs, each of which has a total area not exceeding two square feet, placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities.
J. 
Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising a product, service or entertainment.
K. 
Freestanding signs or signs attached to fences at approximate eye level, no larger than four square feet, warning the public against hunting, fishing, trespassing, dangerous animals and/or swimming.
L. 
Signs displayed on any farm by the owner or other operator thereof for the purpose of identifying such farm or advertising solely the products thereof. No single sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet. Only one sign shall be allowed on each state road abutting the farm, which shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
M. 
Any informational or directional sign or historical marker erected by a public agency, which may include 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.
N. 
Temporary official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of his duties or by trustees under deeds of trust, deeds of assignment or other similar instruments; provided that all such signs shall be removed not later than 10 days after the last day of the period for which the same are required to be displayed in order to accomplish their purpose. The person responsible for erection of the same is responsible for removal.
O. 
Temporary political campaign signs erected on any privately owned lot or parcel subject to § 170-102D.
P. 
Temporary signs not announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization subject to § 170-102G.
Q. 
Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part thereof on which the signs are displayed.
R. 
Temporary construction signs which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, but not including the advertisement of any product, and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended during the construction period subject to § 170-102F.
S. 
Temporary wayside stand signs subject to § 170-102H.
Application for a permit shall be made to the Zoning Administrator of Rappahannock 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 wall 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 may be included in one permit.
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The fee schedule is on file in the County offices.
The permit number shall be indicated for each sign for which a permit is required by this article. Permits are not assignable or transferable by the named permit holder.
No permit shall be granted and no permit shall be valid unless and until the applicant shall have signed an agreement to indemnify and hold Rappahannock County harmless from any and all loss or damage to property or injury or death to any and all persons and for all suits, claims, liabilities or demands of any kind whatsoever resulting directly or indirectly from the erection, use, maintenance or alteration of any sign or other device authorized by such a 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.
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 chapter.
A. 
No sign or other device which simulates any traffic control sign, light or device or which 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 wall 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 which may lawfully be in existence at the time this article is adopted, in which case they are subject to § 170-103.
C. 
Animated signs are prohibited.
D. 
Roof signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed herein and then only those which 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 forty-five-percent slope, provided that it does not extend more than four feet above the lowest point of the roof of such building.
E. 
Billboards are prohibited.
F. 
Freestanding signs in which the long dimension exceeds the short dimension by a ratio of three to one (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 twenty to one (20:1).
G. 
No sign shall be painted directly onto the exterior surface of a roof.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection H, which immediately followed, regarding illuminated tubing and strings of lights, was repealed 9-8-2004.
A. 
One temporary sign shall be allowed for a period not to exceed 30 (3) consecutive days; however, no temporary sign shall be allowed for more than 60 days per year at any location for the purpose of advertising an opening, sale or special event.
B. 
If there are other existing permitted sign types on a premise, the total maximum sign area permitted by this chapter may be increased by 25% for temporary signs. Areas with nonconforming signs shall not exceed the maximum sign area permitted.
C. 
Persons responsible, jointly or severally, for the removal of a temporary sign are the owner or occupant of the premise on which it is located, the owner of the sign and the person responsible for its erection.
D. 
Temporary political signs shall not be erected more than 90 days prior to an election or referendum and shall be removed within 15 days after the election. Persons responsible, jointly or severally, for the maintenance and removal of political signs are the candidates, spokesmen or campaign committees, the owner or occupant of the premises on which the signs are located and the person responsible for its erection.
E. 
Temporary signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area or 10 feet in height.
[Amended 4-6-1987]
F. 
Temporary construction signs permitted without a permit shall not be erected more than five days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall be confined to the site of construction and shall be removed within 14 days following completion of the work, and in no case, however, shall such signs be displayed for more than two years.
G. 
Temporary signs announcing events sponsored by civic and other nonprofit organizations may not be displayed for more than 30 days. These signs are in addition to the total allowable sign area of a premise. All signs must be removed within seven days after the event. Persons responsible, jointly or severally, for the maintenance and removal of these signs are the club or organization officers, committee chairman or committee members, the owner or occupant of the premises on which the signs are located and the person responsible for the temporary erection of the sign.
H. 
Temporary wayside stand signs shall not exceed five signs or an aggregate sign area of 50 square feet, provided that such signs are not attached to the structure and are removed after the season the stand is in operation.
I. 
Temporary directional signs to a business catering to the traveling public but as needed at intersections, only with written permission of the landowner(s), may be granted only by special exception from the Board.
A. 
Signs which 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 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.
[Amended 2-2-2015]
B. 
However, nonconforming signs, if damaged to more than 1/2 of the appraised value or 1/10 of the rental 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. 
In any event, all billboards shall be removed by 1995. Any billboard upon which no paid advertisement exists for a period in excess of two years shall likewise be removed.
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 of adoption of this article, 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. 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. No fee will be required for sign registration.
A. 
Whenever the use of a building or premise by a specified business or occupation is discontinued, any signs pertaining thereto shall be removed within a period of 60 days following the discontinuance of such business or occupation. 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 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 $1 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 which becomes a safety hazard or which 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 which, 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.
[Amended 11-6-2000]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, where any sign is permitted based on the content of the sign, then a sign containing noncommercial content shall be allowed upon the same terms, conditions, and restrictions as the permitted sign. This provision shall be interpreted so that in no case shall a sign containing commercial content be favored over one containing noncommercial content. "Noncommercial content" means the sign content is not related solely to the economic interests of the speaker and the audience.
Only the following signs shall be permitted in resource preservation and residential zones:
A. 
Home occupation signs: one sign, not exceeding six square feet in area nor more than six feet in height, not illuminated, for the purpose of indicating a home occupation which is permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Church bulletin boards: one church bulletin board, not exceeding 20 square feet in area nor more than 10 feet in height, when erected or displayed on the property of the church; provided that when a church faces more than one street, one such bulletin board may be erected or displayed on each street frontage, with a maximum of 40 square feet allowed on the property.
C. 
Identification signs: one sign, not exceeding 20 square feet in area, for the purpose of showing the name and use of a convent, monastery, seminary, country club, sanitarium, cemetery, children's home, orphanage, fraternal organization, hospital or other similar establishment, when such use is permitted on the subject property as identified. One sign not exceeding two square feet in area nor more than 10 feet in height shall be permitted for each single-family home.
D. 
Subdivision sign: one sign, not exceeding 12 square feet in area nor more than 10 feet in height, in each subdivision entrance for the purpose of advertising or identifying a housing development or subdivision, when erected or displayed on the property so advertised or identified in conformance with the required building setback line. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
E. 
Real estate signs for single-family homes: one sign, not exceeding six square feet nor six feet in height, for the purpose of advertising the sale, lease or future sale of a single-family home, when erected or displayed on the property so advertised.
[Amended 1-3-2007]
F. 
Off-street parking area or lot signs: one sign, not exceeding four square feet in area, at each entrance and exit of an off-street parking area or lot, provided that it does not conflict with other provisions of this article. Such sign shall be regulatory in manner and on the use of such parking area.
G. 
Multifamily dwelling signs: for multifamily dwellings, including apartments, townhouses, condominiums and other dwellings which are not single-family, the same as for subdivision signs.
H. 
Farm signs: signs displayed on any farm by the owner or operator thereof for the purpose of identifying such farm or advertising solely the products thereof. No single sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area nor exceed 10 feet in height. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet.
I. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection I, Lighting and color for residential area signs, was repealed 9-8-2004.
J. 
Permanent directional signs: Such signs shall be limited to the sale, lease or rental of real estate which shall be used only for the purpose of indicating the location of the property to be sold, rented or leased and directional signs to indicate the location of a church or place of worship or hospital or similar medical institution or historical sites. Two such directional signs, not exceeding six square feet in area and each six feet in height, shall be allowed, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) 
A statement from the owner of the property indicating his consent to the erection of the sign shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
(2) 
In the case of real estate directional signs, a statement from the individual erecting the sign shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator as to the length of time (not exceeding 90 days) that the sign will remain posted.
(3) 
Such signs shall be only three colors, one of which is the background.
K. 
In addition to Subsection J above, a maximum of two directional signs will be allowed per commercial or industrial establishment, including farms from which products are retailed directly to customers, provided that:
(1) 
The establishment is not located on a primary highway.
(2) 
The sign contains only the name of the establishment and a directional arrow.
L. 
Temporary signs: Temporary signs not exceeding 50 square feet in area, announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, provided that the sponsoring organization shall ensure proper and prompt removal of such signs subject to § 170-102G.
M. 
Wayside stand signs: Signs not exceeding five signs or an aggregate sign area of 50 square feet, provided that such signs not attached to the structure are removed during the season the stand is not in operation.
A. 
Total sign area.
(1) 
In areas zoned as Commercial Village: On properties housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign area shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of building frontage. Total sign area, however, shall not exceed 75 square feet in area.
(2) 
In areas zoned as Commercial General and Industrial: On properties housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign area shall not exceed two square feet 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 150 square feet in area, except where only one sign identifying the establishment exists.
(3) 
In areas zoned as Commercial Highway: On properties housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign area shall not exceed two square feet of area for each foot of building frontage. Total sign area, however, shall not exceed 150 square feet, or 250 square feet if the building is over 200 feet from the highway right-of-way line.
(4) 
On properties housing more than one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign areas permitted in Subsection A(1), (2) or (3) above will be prorated by frontage to each tenant.
B. 
Permitted signs. Permitted signs shall be as follows:
(1) 
Temporary signs.
(2) 
Window signs.
(3) 
Roof signs.
(4) 
Arcade signs.
(5) 
Wall signs.
(6) 
Building-mounted signs.
(7) 
Theater signs. Signs advertising the acts or features to be given in a theater may be displayed on permanent frames erected on theater buildings; provided that the bottom of such frame erected flat against a wall may not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk, alley or parking area; and provided further that when the area of any such frame facing a street, alley or parking area does not exceed 24 square feet and the area of all such frames facing such street, alley or parking area does not exceed 48 square feet, the area of the signs displayed thereon shall not be included in determining the total area of signs erected or displayed.
(8) 
Pole signs: gasoline service stations. All other provisions of this article notwithstanding, each and every automobile gasoline service 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. A permitted pole sign shall only display the principal trademark symbol, name, other identifying design and/or the word "gas," "gasoline," or "fuel." No other signs, identification or advertisements shall be attached thereto. In addition to pole sign area, the following types of signs shall be allowed and shall be included in the total sign area permitted in this subsection:
(a) 
A building sign utilizing the trademark, symbol, name or other identifying design.
(b) 
Temporary placecards or posters displayed on the outside surface of gasoline pumps, advertising special products, grades of gasoline, oil or service.
(c) 
One freestanding sign not to exceed 10 square feet in area for the purpose of displaying the price of fuel or other products or services. 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.
(9) 
Freestanding signs.
(a) 
One for each street frontage shall be permitted for a shopping center, which shall not exceed 75 square feet for each sign.
(b) 
One for each individual enterprise or group of enterprises not constituting a shopping center where the building is set back at least 50 feet from the front lot line shall be permitted. A maximum of 50 square feet in area shall be permitted for each sign.
(c) 
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 and include only the word "entrance" or "exit."
(10) 
Real estate, contractor's, subcontractor's and directional signs.
(a) 
Real estate sign. One sign shall be permitted for the purpose of advertising the sale, lease or rental when erected or displayed on the property so advertised. Such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor six feet in height nor 10 feet in height when such sign is set back at least 50 feet from the front lot line.
(b) 
Contractor's and subcontractor's signs. One contractor's sign, not exceeding 12 square feet in area, and one sign for each subcontractor, not exceeding four square feet in area, shall be permitted when erected or displayed on the premises upon which building operations are being conducted, provided that such signs shall be removed upon completion of the work. Height of freestanding signs shall not exceed 10 feet for contractor's sign and six feet for subcontractor's.
(c) 
Directional signs. Directional signs shall be prohibited except for those limited to the sales, lease or rental of real estate and then only for the purpose of indicating the location of the property to be sold, leased or rented, and except those directional signs used to indicate the location of a church or place of worship or hospital or similar medical institution or historical site. Two such directional signs, not exceeding six square feet in area each or six feet in height each are allowed, provided that the following conditions are met:
[1] 
A statement from the owner of the property indicating his consent to the erection of the sign shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
[2] 
In the case of real estate directional signs, a statement from the individual erecting the sign as to the length of time (not exceeding 90 days) that the sign will remain posted shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
(d) 
In addition to Subsection B(10)(c) above, a maximum of two directional signs shall be allowed per commercial or industrial establishment, including farms from which products are retailed directly to customers, provided that:
[1] 
The establishment is not located on a primary highway.
[2] 
The sign contains only the name of the establishment and a directional arrow.
C. 
The following customary advertisements and identifications shall not be included in the total sign area permitted in this article:
(1) 
A single sign identifying the name of the owner, a proprietor or manager, 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, provided that such machines are grouped together in a permanent structure, enclosed on at least three sides.
(3) 
Signs identifying the special functions of the various service bays or areas may be erected on the building facade above the doorways, with the lowest portion of such signs being no lower than the highest point of doorways and containing no advertising.
(4) 
Temporary paper, cardboard or plastic show window signs.
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) 
No roof-mounted sign shall extend more than four feet above the lowest point of the roof, except where there is a structural or functional part of the building extending above the roof, such as a parapet, mansard or other such architectural embellishment.
(3) 
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.
(4) 
Canopy, awning or marquee. No entrance or awning shall be used for any advertisement, lettering or symbol other than the name of the owner or proprietor of the business and its street address. Marquees 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.
(5) 
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.
(6) 
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.
(7) 
Unless further restricted by the provisions that follow, no freestanding sign shall exceed a height of 20 feet above ground level, including its supports.
(8) 
All signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a walkway and 14 feet above a driveway or alley.
(9) 
Signs shall be limited to identifying or advertising the property, the individual enterprises, the products, services or the entertainment available on the same property where the sign is located. Temporary signs announcing events sponsored by civic and other nonprofit organizations may not be displayed for longer than 30 days. These signs are not to be included in the total allowable sign area of the premise.
(10) 
Service stations may be allowed one sign on each gasoline pump for the purpose of identifying the specific product dispensed from that pump, not to exceed four feet in height.
(11) 
No sign other than the one indicated on the sign application shall be attached to a freestanding sign.
(12) 
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.
[Added 9-8-2004]
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 which 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.
[Amended 5-1-2023]
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. If not limited, commercial and industrial zoning district regulations shall apply.