HomeMy WebLinkAboutZTA201000005 Legacy Document 2012-04-17COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Department of Community Development
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 -4596
Phone (434) 296 -5832 Fax (434) 972 -4012
MEMORANDUM
TO: File
FROM: Ron Higgins, Chief of Zoning
DATE: March 20, 2012
RE: ZTA201000005 Signs
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, at its meeting on March 14, 2012, by a vote of 6:0, adopted
the above noted Zoning Text Amendment.
ORDINANCE NO. 12 -18(2)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ZONING, ARTICLE II, BASIC REGULATIONS, AND
ARTICLE III, DISTRICT REGULATIONS, OF THE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 18,
Zoning, Article II, Basic Regulations, and Article III, District Regulations, are hereby amended and
reordained as follows:
By Amending:
Sec. 4.15.1
Purpose and intent
Sec. 4.15.2
Definitions
Sec. 4.15.4
Signs authorized by sign permit
Sec. 4.15.6
Signs exempt from the sign permit requirement
Sec. 4.15.7
Prohibited signs and sign characteristics
Sec. 4.15.8
Regulations applicable in the MHD, RA, VR, R -1 and R -2 zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.9
Regulations applicable in the R -4 and R -6 zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.11
Regulations applicable in the PUD, DCD and NMD zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.12
Regulations applicable in the C -1 and CO zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.13
Regulations applicable in the HC, PD -SC and PD -MC zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.14
Regulations applicable in the HI, LI and PD -IP zoning districts
Sec. 4.15.15
Regulations applicable in the entrance corridor overlay district
Sec. 30.6.4
Certificates of appropriateness
Sec. 30.6.5
Development exempt from requirement to obtain certificate of appropriateness
By Adding:
Sec. 4.15.4A Signs authorized by temporary sign permit
Chapter 18. Zoning
Article II. Basic Regulations
Sec. 4.15.1 Purpose and intent
The purpose and intent of this section 4.15 include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. 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; that signs are an important means of communication for businesses,
organizations, individuals and government; and that the unregulated erection and display of signs
constitute a public nuisance detrimental to the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of
the public. Therefore, the purpose of this section 4.15 is to establish reasonable regulations
pertaining to the time, place and manner in which outdoor signs and window signs may be
erected and maintained in order to:
Promote the general health, safety and welfare, including the creation of an attractive and
harmonious environment;
Protect the public investment in the creation, maintenance, safety and appearance of its
streets, highways and other areas open to the public;
Improve pedestrian and vehicular safety by avoiding saturation and confusion in the field
of vision that could otherwise result if such signs were not regulated as provided herein;
and
Protect and enhance the county's attractiveness to tourists and other visitors as sources
of economic development.
b. The board of supervisors finds that the regulations in this section 4.15 advance the significant
governmental interests identified herein and are the minimum amount of regulation necessary to
achieve them.
Signs are classified and regulated in this section 4.15 by their purpose (e.g., bonus tenant panel),
physical type (e.g., freestanding sign), location (e.g., off -site sign) and characteristics (e.g.,
illuminated sign). By classifying and regulating signs by their purpose, the board of supervisors
does not intend to regulate their content and, more specifically, any particular viewpoint, but
rather intends to create a reasonable classification by which to regulate the time, place and
manner of signs.
d. The regulations in this section 4.15 shall apply to all outdoor signs and window signs. Each sign
subject to this section 4.15 shall comply with all regulations applicable to that sign.
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.01; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.2 Definitions
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and implementation of this section 4.15:
(8.1) Bonus tenant panel: The term "bonus tenant panel" means an additional sign permitted for
individual tenants in shopping centers or planned developments when added to one freestanding
sign for the shopping center or planned development.
(14.1) Cornice line. The term "cornice line" means the location of a cornice along the top of a wall; or,
for a wall that has no cornice, the corresponding horizontal line along the top of a wall where a
cornice would traditionally be located. In all cases, the "cornice line" applies to the main walls of
a building and does not apply to features that extend above the top of the main walls of a
building.
(16) Electric message sign. The term "electric message sign" means a sign on which the copy can be
changed or altered by electric, electro- mechanical or electronic means.
(35) Off -site sign. The term "off -site sign" means: (i) within a zoning district other than a planned
development, a sign that is not located on the same lot with the use to which it pertains, but does
not include a sign located in a public right -of -way; or (ii) within a planned development zoning
district, a sign that is not located within the area depicted on the application plan approved for the
planned development, but does not include a sign located in a public right -of -way.
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.03; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 05- 18(4), 3- 16 -05; Ord. 10- 18(1), 1- 13 -10; Ord.
10- 18(3), 5 -5 -10; Ord. 10- 18(5), 5- 12 -10)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.4 Signs authorized by sign permit
Except for temporary signs subject to the permitting requirements of section 4.15.4A, signs exempt from
this section under section 4.15.6 or nonconforming signs subject to section 4.15.24, a sign permit shall be
required for each sign prior to its erection, alteration, replacement or relocation, as provided herein:
a. Application. An application for a sign permit shall be submitted to the department of community
development, together with payment of the fee required for the application pursuant to section
35.1 of this chapter. A complete application shall consist of the following:
A fully completed application form, provided to the applicant by the zoning administrator;
A schematic legibly drawn to scale and sufficiently detailed showing the location and
dimensions of the sign; and
Any plans, specifications and details pertaining to, among other things, the sign
materials, the methods of illumination, methods of support, components, and the
condition and age of the sign, as determined by the zoning administrator to be necessary
for the review of the application.
b. Application review and permit issuance. A sign permit application shall be reviewed and acted
upon by the zoning administrator only as provided herein:
Timing of application. An application for a sign permit may be filed at any time, and if a
special use permit for the sign is required under section 4.15.5 or a certificate of
appropriateness for the sign is required under section 4.15.15 and section 30.6 of this
chapter, the application may be filed with or any time after the application for the special
use permit or certificate of appropriateness is filed.
Action on application. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of a complete sign permit
application, the zoning administrator shall review the application and either: (i) approve
the application; (ii) deny the application; or (iii) refer the application to the applicant for
more information as may be required by section 4.15.4(a)(3). An application shall be
denied only if the proposed sign is a prohibited sign, does not comply with the regulations
set forth in this section 4.15 or, a required special use permit or certificate of
appropriateness for the sign was not granted. If the application is denied, the reasons
shall be specified in writing.
Failure to timely act. If the zoning administrator fails to take one of the actions described
herein within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete sign permit application, the permit
shall be deemed approved as received.
Administration. A sign permit shall become null and void if the use to which the sign permit
pertains is not commenced within six (6) months after the date the sign permit, special use permit
or certificate of appropriateness is issued, whichever is later or, if the sign contains exclusively
noncommercial copy, the sign is not erected within six (6) months after the date the sign permit is
issued. Upon written request by the permittee and upon good cause shown, the zoning
administrator may grant an extension of the six (6) -month period.
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, §§ 4.15.09, 4.15.09.1, 4.15.09.2, 4.15.09.3; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code §§ 15.2 -2280, 15.2 -2286.
Sec. 4.15.4A Signs authorized by temporary sign permit
A permit shall be required for each temporary sign (hereinafter, a "temporary sign permit "), prior to its
erection, alteration, replacement or relocation, as provided herein:
a. Application. An application for a temporary sign permit shall be submitted to the department of
community development, together with payment of the fee required for the application pursuant to
section 35.1 of this chapter, and comply with the application requirements of subsection
4.15.4(a).
b. Application review and permit issuance. A temporary sign permit application shall be reviewed
and acted upon by the zoning administrator only as provided herein:
Action on application. Within seven (7) days after receipt of a complete application, the
zoning administrator shall either: (i) approve the application; (ii) deny the application; or
(iii) refer the application to the applicant for more information as may be required by
section 4.15.4(a)(3). An application shall be denied only if the proposed temporary sign
is a prohibited sign or does not comply with the regulations set forth in this section 4.15.
If the application is denied, the reasons shall be specified in writing.
Failure to timely act. If the zoning administrator fails to take one of the actions described
herein within seven (7) days after receipt of a complete sign application for a temporary
sign, the permit shall be deemed approved as received.
Administration. The following regulations shall apply to the administration of temporary sign
permits:
1. Number of permits. No more than six (6) temporary sign permits shall be issued by the
zoning administrator to the same establishment in any calendar year.
2. Period of validity. Each temporary sign permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed
fifteen (15) consecutive days after the erection of the sign, provided that a temporary sign
permit issued while a permanent sign is being made may be valid for longer than fifteen
(15) days until the permanent sign is erected.
3. Aggregate duration for temporary signs in calendar year. Temporary signs shall not be
erected at an establishment for more than sixty (60) days, in the aggregate, in a calendar
year.
4. Portable signs; stabilization. A temporary sign that is a portable sign shall be stabilized
so as not to pose a danger to public safety. Prior to the sign being erected, the zoning
administrator shall approve the method of stabilization.
d. Exemptions. A temporary sign permit is not required for a sign exempt from the sign permit
requirement under section 4.15.6 or nonconforming signs subject to section 4.15.24.
Sec. 4.15.6 Signs exempt from the sign permit requirement
The following signs are exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit under section 4.15.4 and a
temporary sign permit under section 4.15.4A, provided that they comply with the regulations set forth
below and all other applicable regulations of this section 4.15. A sign exempt from the requirements to
obtain permits under sections 4.15.4 and 4.15.4A is not exempt from the requirement to obtain a special
use permit under section 4.15.5 if required.
(7) Home occupation class 8 or major home occupation sign. A home occupation class B or major
home occupation sign that does not exceed four (4) square feet in sign area.
(18) Window sign. A permanent window sign, provided that the aggregate area of all window signs on
each window or door does not exceed twenty -five percent (25 %) of the total area of the window
or door. (Amended 3- 16 -05)
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.04; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 05- 18(4), 3- 16 -05; Ord. 10- 18(4), 5 -5 -10)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.7 Prohibited signs and sign characteristics
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section 4.15, the following signs and sign characteristics are
prohibited in all zoning districts:
b. Signs with characteristics that create a safety hazard or are contrary to the general welfare.
Signs whose construction, design, location or other physical characteristic create a safety hazard
or are contrary to the general welfare, as follows:
Sign that obstructs vision. A sign that obstructs free or clear vision, or otherwise causes
a safety hazard for vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic due to its location, shape,
illumination or color; and window signs whose aggregate area on a window or door
exceed twenty -five percent (25 %) of the total area of the window or door. (Amended 3-
16 -05)
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.06; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 05- 18(4), 3- 16 -05)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.8 Regulations applicable in the MHD, RA, VR, R -1 and R -2 zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Monticello Historic District (MHD), Rural Areas (RA), Village Residential (VR) and Residential
(R -1 and R -2) zoning districts:
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Sign Area
Sign Height
Sign
Setback
(Maximum)
(Maximum)
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
Directory
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
24 square feet,
entrance, per lot with 100 or
aggregated; if more
more feet of continuous street
than 1 sign, no
Freestanding
frontage, plus 1 per lot if the lot
single sign shall
10 feet
5 feet
is greater than 4 acres and has
exceed 12 square
more than 1 approved entrance
feet
on its frontage
24 square feet,
Subdivision
2 per entrance per subdivision
aggregated, per
6 feet
5 feet
entrance
10 feet, if
freestanding
1 per street
sign; 20 feet, if
Temporary
frontage per establishment
24 square feet
wall sign, but not
5 feet
to exceed the
top of the fascia
or mansard
40 square feet,
aggregated in the
As calculated pursuant to
RA zoning district;
Same as that
Wail
section 4.15.20
20 square feet,
20 feet
applicable to
aggregated, in
structure
other zoning
districts
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.1; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 05- 18(5), 6 -8 -05)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.9 Regulations applicable in the R -4 and R -6 zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Residential (R -4 and R -6) zoning districts:
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Sign Area
Sign Height
Sign
Setback
(Maximum)
(Maximum)
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
Directory
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
24 square feet,
12 feet
5 feet
entrance, per lot with 100 or more
aggregated; if more
Freestandin
feet of continuous street frontage
than 1 sign, no
10 feet
5 feet
g
plus 1 per lot if the lot is greater
single sign shall
than 4 acres and has more than 1
exceed 12 square
approved entrance on its frontage
feet
20 feet, but not to
Projecting
1 per street frontage
24 square feet
exceed the top of
the fascia or
Not
applicable
mansard
24 square feet,
Subdivision
2 per entrance per subdivision
aggregated, per
6 feet
5 feet
entrance
10 feet, if
freestanding sign;
1 per street
20 feet, if wall
Temporary
frontage per establishment
24 square feet
sign, but not to
5 feet
exceed the top of
the fascia or
mansard
Same as
Wall
As calculated pursuant to section
20 square feet,
20 feet
that
4.15.20
aggregated
applicable to
structure
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.2; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.11 Regulations applicable in the PUD, DCD and NMD zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Planned Unit Development (PUD), Downtown Crozet (DCD) and Neighborhood Model (NMD)
zoning districts:
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Sign Area
Sign Height
Sign
Setback
(Maximum)
(Maximum)
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
Directory
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
32 square feet,
12 feet
5 feet
Freestanding
entrance, per lot with 100 or
aggregated, plus
Sign Height
(Maximum)
Sign
Setback
(Minimum)
more feet of continuous street
bonus tenant panels
Directory
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
as provided in section
6 feet
5 feet
is greater than 4 acres and
4.15.16(b); if more
has more than 1 approved
than 1 sign at an
entrance on its frontage
entrance, no single
Freestanding
more feet of continuous street
sign shall exceed 16
12 feet
5 feet
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
square feet
is greater than 4 acres and has
in section
30 feet, but not
to exceed the
Not
Projecting
1 per street frontage
24 square feet
top of the
applicable
fascia or
mansard
24 square feet,
Subdivision
2 per entrance per subdivision
aggregated, per
6 feet
5 feet
entrance
12 feet, if
freestanding
sign; 20 feet, if
1 per street
residential wall
Temporary
frontage per establishment
24 square feet
sign; 30 feet if
5 feet
nonresidential
wall sign, but
not to exceed
the cornice line
1.5 square feet per 1
linear foot of
establishment
Same as
As calculated pursuant to
structure frontage, not
Not to exceed
that
Wall
section 4.15.20
to exceed 32 square
the cornice line
applicable to
feet if residential wall
structure
sign, or 100 square
feet if nonresidential
wall sign
One (1) sandwich board sign is permitted for each establishment, subject to the requirements of section
4.15.16(i).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.4; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 03- 18(2), 3- 19 -03; Ord 10- 18(1), 1- 13 -10)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.12 Regulations applicable in the C -1, CO and HC zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Commercial (C -1), Commercial Office (CO) and Highway Commercial (HC) zoning districts:
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Sign Area
(Maximum)
Sign Height
(Maximum)
Sign
Setback
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
Directory
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
32 square feet,
entrance, per lot with 100 or
aggregated, plus
Freestanding
more feet of continuous street
bonus tenant
12 feet
5 feet
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
panels as provided
is greater than 4 acres and has
in section
*Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such
signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign
(which may not exceed thirty -two (32) square feet).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.5; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.13 Regulations applicable in the PD -SC and PD -MC zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Planned Development- Shopping Center (PD -SC) and Planned Development -Mixed
Commercial (PD -MC) zoning districts:
more than 1 approved entrance
4.15.16(b); if more
Sign Height
Sign
Sign Type
on its frontage
than 1 sign at an
(Maximum)
Setback
entrance, no single
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
sign shall exceed
Directory
as authorized by zoning
16 square feet
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
30 feet, but not
Projecting*
1 per street frontage
32 square feet
to exceed the
Not
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
aggregated, plus
top of the fascia
applicable
entrance, per lot with 100 or
bonus tenant
or mansard
more feet of continuous street
panels as provided
12 feet, if
Freestanding
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
in section
4.15.16(b); if more
freestanding
5 feet
Temporary
1 per street
32 square feet
sign; 30 feet if
5 feet
frontage per establishment
entrance, no single
wall sign, but not
on its frontage
sign shall exceed
to exceed the
16 square feet
cornice line
1.5 square feet per
30 feet, but not
1 linear foot of
to exceed the
Same as that
Wail*
As calculated pursuant to
establishment
Not to exceed
applicable to
section 4.15.20
structure frontage,
the cornice line
structure
Temporary
1 per street
not to exceed 100
12 feet, if
5 feet
square feet
*Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such
signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign
(which may not exceed thirty -two (32) square feet).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.5; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.13 Regulations applicable in the PD -SC and PD -MC zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Planned Development- Shopping Center (PD -SC) and Planned Development -Mixed
Commercial (PD -MC) zoning districts:
Sign Area
Sign Height
Sign
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
(Maximum)
(Maximum)
Setback
(Minimum)
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
Directory
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
32 square feet,
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
aggregated, plus
entrance, per lot with 100 or
bonus tenant
more feet of continuous street
panels as provided
Freestanding
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
in section
4.15.16(b); if more
16 feet
5 feet
is greater than 4 acres and has
than 1 sign at an
more than 1 approved entrance
entrance, no single
on its frontage
sign shall exceed
16 square feet
30 feet, but not
to exceed the
Not
Projecting*
1 per street frontage
32 square feet
top of the fascia
applicable
or mansard
Temporary
1 per street
32 square feet
12 feet, if
5 feet
*Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such
signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign
(which may not exceed thirty -two (32) square feet.
One (1) sandwich board sign is permitted for each establishment, subject to the requirements of section
4.15.16(i).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.6; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.14 Regulations applicable in the HI, LI and PD -IP zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Heavy Industry (HI), Light Industry (LI) and Planned Development - Industrial Park (PD -IP)
zoning districts.
Sign Type
frontage per establishment
Sign Area
freestanding
Sign
Setback
(Maximum)
sign; 30 feet if
(Minimum)
Directory
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
wall sign, but not
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
to exceed the
5 feet
administrator
cornice line
1.5 square feet per
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
1 linear foot of
Same as that
Wall*
As calculated pursuant to
establishment
Not to exceed
applicable to
section 4.15.20
structure frontage,
the cornice line
structure
Freestanding
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
not to exceed 200
16 feet
5 feet
is greater than 4 acres and has
square feet
*Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such
signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign
(which may not exceed thirty -two (32) square feet.
One (1) sandwich board sign is permitted for each establishment, subject to the requirements of section
4.15.16(i).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.6; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.14 Regulations applicable in the HI, LI and PD -IP zoning districts
The following regulations pertaining to the number of signs permitted per lot or establishment, the sign
area, sign height, and setback requirements shall apply to each sign for which a sign permit is required
within the Heavy Industry (HI), Light Industry (LI) and Planned Development - Industrial Park (PD -IP)
zoning districts.
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Sign Area
Sign Height
Sign
Setback
(Maximum)
(Maximum)
(Minimum)
Directory
1 or more per establishment,
24 square feet,
as authorized by zoning
aggregated
6 feet
5 feet
administrator
32 square feet,
1 per street frontage, or 2 per
aggregate, plus
entrance, per lot with 100 or
bonus tenant
more feet of continuous street
panels as provided
Freestanding
frontage plus 1 per lot if the lot
in section
4.15.16(b); if more
16 feet
5 feet
is greater than 4 acres and has
than 1 sign at an
more than 1 approved entrance
entrance, no single
on its frontage
sign shall exceed
16 square feet
30 feet, but not
Projecting*
1 per street frontage
32 square feet
to exceed the
top of the fascia
5 feet
or mansard
12 feet, if
freestanding
Temporary
1 per street
32 square feet
sign; 30 feet if
5 feet
frontage per establishment
wall sign, but not
to exceed the
cornice line
1.5 square feet per
Same as that
Wall*
As calculated pursuant to
1 linear foot of
Not to exceed
applicable to
section 4.15.20
establishment
the cornice line
structure
structure frontage,
not to exceed 200
square feet
"Each establishment may have both a projecting sign and a wall sign. If the establishment has both such
signs, the allowed sign area of the wall sign shall be reduced by the sign area of the projecting sign
(which may not exceed thirty -two (32) square feet).
Within the PD -IP zoning district, one (1) sandwich board sign is permitted for each establishment, subject
to the requirements of section 4.15.16(i).
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.7; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Sec. 4.15.15 Regulations applicable in the entrance corridor overlay district
In addition to all other regulations set forth in this section 4.15, the following regulations shall apply within
the entrance corridor overlay zoning district:
a. Certificate of appropriateness required. Prior to the erection of a sign that would be visible from
an entrance corridor street, the owner or lessee of the lot on which the sign will be located shall
obtain a certificate of appropriateness for that sign unless the sign is exempt under section
30.6.5(d).
b. Authority and procedure for acting upon application for certificate of appropriateness. The
authority and procedure for acting upon an application for a certificate of appropriateness for a
sign shall be as set forth in section 30.6.
Opaque backgrounds. All internally illuminated box -style and cabinet -style signs shall have an
opaque background.
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12.8; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 10- 18(5), 5- 12 -10)
State law reference — Va. Code §§ 15.2 -2280, 15.2 -2286.
Sec. 4.15.16 Regulations applicable to certain sign types
In addition to all other regulations set forth in this section 4.15, the following regulations apply to the sign
types identified herein:
b. Bonus tenant panels. In each shopping center exceeding fifty thousand (50,000) square feet in
gross floor area: (i) one (1) bonus tenant panel shall be permitted for each fifty thousand (50,000)
square feet in gross floor area, not to exceed four (4) bonus tenant panels at the shopping center;
and (ii) no bonus tenant panel shall exceed eight (8) square feet in sign area.
Sandwich board signs. Sandwich board signs shall be subject to the following: (1) the sign shall
not exceed four (4) feet in height, two (2) feet in width or eight (8) square feet of area per sign
face; (2) if the sign is placed on a sidewalk or any other public pedestrian right -of -way, it shall be
placed in a location that provides a contiguous and unobstructed pedestrian passageway at least
three (3) feet wide; (3) the sign shall not be located in any required off - street parking space,
driveway, access easement, alley or fire lane; (4) the sign shall not be illuminated; (5) the sign
shall be removed during non - business hours; and (6) if the sign is located on county -owned right -
of -way, prior to placement of the sign, the owner shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the
county against any claim or liability arising from the placement of the sign, and the agreement
shall be in a form and have a substance approved by the county attorney.
Signs using rare gas illumination. Signs using exposed rare gas illumination, and signs within the
entrance corridor overlay district visible from an entrance corridor overlay street that use rare gas
illumination covered by a transparent material, shall not have a brightness that exceeds thirty (30)
milliamps. Brightness shall be determined by the zoning administrator, who shall consider
information provided by the sign manufacturer, the rated size of the sign's transformer, and any
other relevant information deemed appropriate. (Added 3- 16 -05)
k. Wall signs. In order to be eligible to have a wall sign, the establishment shall have an exterior
wall.
(12- 10 -80; 7 -8 -92, § 4.15.12; Ord. 01- 18(3), 5 -9 -01; Ord. 05- 18(4), 3- 16 -05)
State law reference — Va. Code § 15.2 -2280.
Article III. District Regulations
Sec. 30.6.4 Certificates of appropriateness
The architectural review board is authorized to issue certificates of appropriateness for any structure, and
associated improvements, or any portion thereof, that are visible from the EC street to which the parcel is
contiguous, as follows:
b. Types of certificates of appropriateness. The architectural review board is authorized to issue the
following types of certificates of appropriateness:
Specific developments. For specific developments associated with one or more building
permits or a single site plan.
Signs in a new multi - business complex or shopping center. For all of the signs in a new
multi- business complex or shopping center, where the architectural review board first
conducts a comprehensive sign review. Once a certificate of appropriateness for signs in
a new multi- business complex or shopping center is issued, the director of planning is
authorized to determine whether a particular sign satisfies the conditions of the certificate
of appropriateness.
County -wide certificates of appropriateness. County -wide certificates of appropriateness
may be issued for classes of structures, sites, improvements, or architectural elements,
subject to the applicable design criteria and procedures, as follows:
a. Categories of structures, sites, improvements, or architectural elements eligible
for county -wide certificates of appropriateness. The following categories of
structures, sites, improvements, or architectural elements shall be eligible for
county -wide certificates of appropriateness:
Structures located seven hundred fifty (750) feet or more from an EC
street that are not more than five (5) stories tall.
Structures that are proposed to be located behind another structure that
fronts an EC street as viewed from the EC street, where the rear
structure is no more than twice the height of the front structure.
Personal wireless service facilities.
Signs, except for wall signs whose height exceeds thirty (30) feet.
Safety fencing and screening fencing.
New or replacement rooftop- mounted or ground- mounted equipment.
Additions to structures or improvements for which a certificate of
appropriateness was issued, where the design of the addition to the
structure or improvement is consistent with the architectural design
approved with the certificate of appropriateness.
New structure or site lighting or changes to existing structure or site
lighting.
Minor amendments to site plans and architectural plans.
10. Building permits for which the proposed change occupies fifty (50)
percent or less of the altered elevation of an existing structure.
11. Permits classified in sections 5 -202, 5 -203, 5 -204 and 5- 208(A) not
otherwise exempt under section 30.6.5(k).
(§ 30.6.4, 10 -3 -90; § 30.6.4.1, 10 -3 -90; 5- 18 -94; § 30.6.4.2, 10 -3 -90; §30.6.5(formerly § 30.6.3.2, 7 -8 -92;
Ord. 01- 18(3), 5- 9 -01); § 30.6.4, Ord. 10- 18(5), 5- 12 -10)
Sec. 30.6.5 Development exempt from requirement to obtain certificate of appropriateness
The following development is exempt from the requirements of section 30.6:
d. Agricultural product signs, political signs, public signs, sandwich board signs, temporary signs,
window signs and signs exempt from the sign permit requirement under section 4.15.6.
(§ 30.6.6, 10 -3 -90; § 30.6.6.1, 10 -3 -90; § 30.6.6.2, 10 -3 -90, 6- 14 -00; § 30.6.6.3, 5- 18 -94; § 30.6.5; Ord.
10- 18(5), 5- 12 -10)
(Formerly SIGNS, Now see 30.6.4, 5- 12 -10)