# Sign Regulations in Alexandria, Virginia

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Alexandria, Virginia, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Alexandria, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/alexandria
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Alexandria/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCOGEOR_TIT5TRENSE_CH2STSI_ARTGPOSIRI-W)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minor Sign (Residential Use) | 36 in | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 per lot | Freestanding <36 in, or flat wall | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.1 |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Monument) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Monument sign at entrance | — | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.2 |
| Curb Sign | — | 0.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Painted on curb private property | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Sec. 9-202(A)iii.5.a.ii |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Alexandria — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alexandria+VA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alexandria

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