Sign Regulations in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia has specific sign regulations covering 44 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Curb Sign, Flag, Temporary Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Alexandria, Virginia
Sample Sign Requirements in Alexandria
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Curb Sign | — | 0.5 sq ft | — |
| A-frame Sign | 42 in | — | Min 15 ft from any driveway or intersection. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for AlexandriaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
44
- Curb Sign
- Flag
- Temporary Sign
- Flag (Residential Use)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Alexandria
Other Cities in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Alexandria vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Alexandria, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Alexandria, regulated sign types include Curb Sign, Flag, Temporary Sign, Flag (Residential Use), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Alexandria vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Alexandria are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Alexandria has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Alexandria, Virginia Sign Rules at a Glance
Alexandria, Virginia regulates 44 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Large Permanent Sign (RB zone, Multi-unit property) (Freestanding Monument)s in the R-20, R-12, R-8, R-5, R-2-5, RB, RM, RS, RT, POS, WPR zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft from front lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 9-201(A)(1)a.iii.4). Most commercial signs in Alexandria require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Alexandria, Virginia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Alexandria (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 42 in | 1 sq ft | — |
| R-20, R-12, R-8, R-5, R-2-5, RB, RM, RS, RT, POS, WPR | 13 | 42 in (normal); 6 ft if for sale/rent sign | 40 sq ft | — |
| RA, RC, RCX, RD | 16 | 42 in | 60 sq ft total per frontage; no single wall sign >40 sq ft, no freestanding >32 sq ft | — |
| CC, CD, CDX, CG, CL, CR, CSL, KR, NR, CRMU-/L, CRMU/M, CRMU/H, CRMU/X, OC, OCH, OCM(50), OCM(100), CDD, W-1 | 11 | 42 in | 40 sq ft | — |
| I, UT | 2 | — | May exceed normal allowed square footage by 50% if sign faces property in industrial, commercial, or utility zone | — |
| Old and Historic Alexandria District, Parker-Gray District | 6 | 6 ft (freestanding); up to 20 ft above avg. finished grade (wall/mounted) | 20 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Alexandria(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
R-20, R-12, R-8, R-5, R-2-5, RB, RM, RS, RT, POS, WPR
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag (Residential Use) | 25 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft per flag | — | — | Max 3 | Freestanding, wall, or window mounting allowed; wall-mounted flags on projecting pole ≤6 ft or flat; cannot cover >20% of window glazing; clearance under projecting flag ≥8 ft | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)a.i |
| Minor Sign (Residential Use) | 36 in (freestanding) | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per property per street frontage | Freestanding, <36 in, or flat against wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)a.iii.1 |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Residential Use) (Monument) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Monument sign at neighborhood entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)a.iii.2 |
| Large Permanent Sign (RB zone, Multi-unit property) (Freestanding Monument) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per street frontage | Monument sign at street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)a.iii.4 |
| Flag (Non-residential Use) | 35 ft (freestanding) | 24 sq ft per flag | — | — | Max 5 | Freestanding, wall, or window mounting as above | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)b.i |
| Minor Sign (Non-residential Use) | 36 in (freestanding) | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 per property per street frontage per 100 ft lot width | Freestanding, <36 in, or wall mounted | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)b.iii.1 |
| Parking Lot/Intersection Directional Sign (Non-residential Use) | 42 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per direction at each intersection/area | Freestanding within 10 ft of curb edge at intersections or where turn required | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)b.iii.2 |
| Large Permanent Sign (Non-residential Use, along street frontage) (Freestanding Monument) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per property street frontage | Freestanding monument, see additional requirements | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(1)b.iii.3 |
RA, RC, RCX, RD
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Sign (Residential Use) | 36 in | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 per lot | Freestanding <36 in, or flat wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)a.iii.1 |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Monument) (Residential Use) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Monument at entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)a.iii.2 |
| Parking Lot / Intersection Directional Sign (Residential Use) | 42 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per direction per location | Freestanding within 10 ft of curb edge at intersection or turn | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)a.iii.4 |
| Large Permanent Sign (Multi-unit property) (Wall or Monument) | 6 ft (freestanding only) | 60 sq ft total per frontage; no single wall sign >40 sq ft, no freestanding >32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (freestanding only) | — | Freestanding only if lot ≥100 ft wide at front line, with off-street parking, 25 ft to side lot line or 25 ft setback; monument sign must be ≥10 ft from front lot line; or wall mounted | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)a.iii.5 |
| Minor Sign (Mixed Use / Non-residential Use) | 36 in | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 per prop. per street frontage per 100 ft width | Freestanding <36 in or wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)b.iii.1 |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Monument) (Mixed Use / Non-residential Use) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Monument | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)b.iii.2 |
| Parking Lot / Intersection Directional Sign (Mixed Use / Non-residential Use) | 42 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per direction / intersection | Freestanding within 10 ft curb edge at intersection | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)b.iii.4 |
| Large Permanent Sign (Mixed Use / Non-residential Use, Street Frontage) (Wall/Monument) | 6 ft (monument only) | 60 sq ft per property frontage; no wall sign >40 sq ft; no freestanding >32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (freestanding) | — | Freestanding monument—see requirements—or wall mounted; monument only if lot ≥100 ft wide at front line, with off street parking, etc.; setback ≥10 ft from front lot line | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-201(A)(2)b.iii.5 |
CC, CD, CDX, CG, CL, CR, CSL, KR, NR, CRMU-/L, CRMU/M, CRMU/H, CRMU/X, OC, OCH, OCM(50), OCM(100), CDD, W-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag | 35 ft (freestanding) | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding flagpole <35 ft, wall (projecting pole ≤6 ft or flat), or window, may not cover >20% of glazing | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)i |
| Temporary Sign | 20 ft above grade (wall); 6 ft (freestanding on vacant lot) | Option a/b: determined by building width; Option c: 20-100 sq ft | — | — | 1 sign per building wall per frontage per condition | Wall mounted flat or window sign. On vacant lot, freestanding to 6 ft high/40 sq ft | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)ii |
| Minor Sign (CC, CG, CR, CSL, CRMU-/L, CRMU/M, CRMU/H, CRMU/X, OC, OCH, OCM(50), OCM(100) only) | 36 in (freestanding) | 1 sq ft | — | — | 5 per property per street frontage per 100 ft lot width | Freestanding or flat wall mount | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.1 |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Monument) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Monument sign at entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.2 |
| Curb Sign | — | 0.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Painted on curb private property | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.3 |
| Parking Lot / Intersection Directional Sign | 42 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per direction at each qualifying location | Freestanding within 10 ft of curb, intersection points | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (2 businesses, Street Frontage) (Monument) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per lot | Monument sign, at street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.5.a.i |
| Freestanding Sign (3+ businesses, Street Frontage) (Monument) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per lot or 2 if >200 ft frontage | Monument sign, at street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.5.a.ii |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Alexandria — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Alexandria — start freeProhibited Signs in Alexandria
- Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by special use permit under this article, by specific requirements in another portion of this chapter, or otherwise expressly allowed by the governing body are prohibited.
- No provision authorizes placement of a sign on any public right-of-way.
- No sign, marquee or awning may be erected, displayed, constructed, reconstructed or altered unless it complies with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
- Any sign displayed without complying with all applicable regulations of this chapter or that violates any city, state or federal law is prohibited.
- Signs simulating, or which are likely to be confused with, a traffic control sign or any other sign displayed by a public authority.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Moving or windblown signs are prohibited.
- Mobile signs are prohibited.
- Signs that emit smoke, flame, scent, mist, aerosol, bubbles, liquid or gas are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sound are prohibited.
- Any electronic sign or digital text and graphic sign is prohibited (with exceptions for certain required signs).
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Signs utilizing a spotlight or other device which projects a beam of light that may be seen by the operator of a motor vehicle when the vehicle is not parked are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs located higher than 35 feet above grade are prohibited except as allowed by special use permit and with conditions.
- Portable signs are prohibited (except A-frame signs allowed in certain circumstances).
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated translucent rectangular panel signs (lightbox signs) are prohibited except for channel lettering signs.
- Signs erected on public land are prohibited unless specifically authorized or permitted by ordinance, law, or city manager.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free or clear vision, or otherwise causes a safety hazard for vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic due to its location is prohibited.
- Temporary signs may not be painted, marked, written, posted or displayed on, or otherwise affixed to, various public and private infrastructure such as street signs, crosswalks, curbs, street, lamp posts, hydrants, etc.
- No sign shall contain any reflective device.
Exempt Signs in Alexandria
- Signs erected by a governmental body or required by law are exempt from zoning approval.
- Flags as allowed within each zone are exempt from zoning approval.
- The changing of messages on and/or maintenance of an existing sign (except that repair of a nonconforming sign must comply with section 9-402) is exempt from zoning approval.
- Temporary signs as allowed within each zone are exempt from zoning approval.
- Not more than two minor signs per property as allowed within each zone are exempt from zoning approval. Additional minor signs are permitted in certain districts with approval.
- Pavement markings on an area of property where traffic management is necessary are exempt from zoning approval.
- Signs erected and displayed by the city, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States in furtherance of their governmental responsibilities and those required by law are exempt from the entirety of Article IX.
- Within the Old and Historic Alexandria or Parker-Gray Districts or on 100-year-old buildings: window signs that are not internally illuminated, one sign of one square foot or less that is not internally illuminated, and specified temporary signs of no more than 20 square feet and no more than 20 feet above grade are exempt from the certificate of appropriateness requirement.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Alexandria
- Comprehensive sign plans may be approved by special use permit in a CDD/Coordinated Development District or in a unified development more than three acres in size, which contains more than one building, more than one parcel or private streets.
- A comprehensive sign plan (coordinated sign special use permit) must include information on time, manner, and placement of signs, message change frequency, materials, lighting hours, height, total sign area, and number of signs, and cannot increase height above what the zoning ordinance permits.
- Special use permits (SUP) may be obtained to authorize provision of signage otherwise not permitted by Article IX, provided the applicant demonstrates intent compliance and exceptional circumstances.
- Any sign, marquee or awning permanently affixed or displayed when subject to view from a public street or place and affixed to a building or structure within the Old and Historic Alexandria District, Parker-Gray District, or on a 100-year-old designated building requires a certificate of appropriateness from the board of architectural review or the director.
- Approval from the department of planning and zoning is required for most sign applications except for specific exempted categories.
Source: municode municipal code