# Sign Regulations in Altavista, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Altavista, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/altavista
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Altavista/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH86ZO_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Altavista, Virginia regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2), Industrial District (M) zoning district are capped at C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 or 100 ft; M: 20 ft tall and C-1: 30 sq ft; C-2: 80–250 sq ft; M: 100 sq ft, with a Min 10 ft from pavement or 1 ft from ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 86-652(a)(2), (4); (b)(2) a–e; (d)). Most commercial signs in Altavista 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 | 10 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per flag; max total 72 sq ft before counting toward other sign area | — |
| Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2), Industrial District (M) | 9 | A-frame: 48 in; T-frame: 66 in | 45 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C-1 on U.S. Route 29) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (C-2 on U.S. Route 29) | 3 | 100 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (M) | 4 | A-frame: 48 in; T-frame: 66 in | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1), Residential District (R-2), Residential District (R-MHP) | 8 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address or Identification Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(1) |
| Flag/Emblem/Insignia | — | 50 sq ft per flag; max total 72 sq ft before counting toward other sign area | — | — | 3 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(4) |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | — | Not less than 5 ft from any lot line | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(6) |
| Security/Warning/Trespass Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(7) |
| Private Drive Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive entrance | At drive entrance | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(8) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per agency (2 for corner lot) | On premises | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(15) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Other districts) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per agency (2 for corner lot) | On premises | — | Sec. 86-637(a)(15) |
| Streamers | — | — | 24 in length/diameter per component | — | — | Attachment to principal structure/sign pole in C-1 and C-2 only | — | Sec. 86-644; 86-637(a)(12) |

### Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2), Industrial District (M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 ft; M: 20 ft | C-1: 30 sq ft; C-2 (>80 ft frontage): 150 sq ft; C-2 (<80 ft): 80 sq ft; M: 100 sq ft | — | — | See formula | Building wall or side walls (subject to same limits as front) | — | Sec. 86-652(b)(2); Sec. 86-640(a)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign | C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 or 100 ft; M: 20 ft | C-1: 30 sq ft; C-2: 80–250 sq ft; M: 100 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from pavement or 1 ft from ROW | C-1: 3; C-2: 3 per business per street; M: 3 max/site | Ground-mounted pole or monument; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 86-652(a)(2), (4); (b)(2) a–e; (d) |
| Projecting Sign | C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 ft; M: 20 ft; general max: 20 ft or bottom sill of 2nd story/roof | C-1: 30 sq ft; C-2: 80 sq ft; M: 100 sq ft | — | — | Counted in zone's max (see formula) | Attached to building, projecting over sidewalk (insurance required if over ROW) | — | Sec. 86-640(a)(2); 86-652 |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 ft; M: 20 ft | C-1: 30 sq ft; C-2: 80 sq ft; M: 100 sq ft (typically as wall sign) | — | — | Counted in zone's max | Parallel to face of awning/canopy/marquee; public sidewalk placement subject to insurance and approval | — | Sec. 86-640(a)(4); 86-652 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | C-1: 15 ft; C-2: 20 ft; M: 20 ft; or as otherwise permitted for freestanding/wall sign | 45 sq ft | — | Same as freestanding/wall sign | Counted in zone's max | Mounted as wall, freestanding, pole sign as applicable | — | Sec. 86-640(a)(6); 86-652 |
| Portable A-frame or T-frame Sign | A-frame: 48 in; T-frame: 66 in | — | A-frame: 30 in; T-frame: 36 in | — | 1 per business | On premises or public sidewalk/right-of-way with permission | — | Sec. 86-641; 86-652(i) |
| Banner | — | 40 sq ft (res zones); up to 120 sq ft special community banners in ROW | 120 in (10 ft) × 48 in (4 ft); if over street: 21 ft clearance | — | 1 per business | On premises or public right-of-way/sidewalk with permission | — | Sec. 86-641; 86-652(j) |
| Directory Sign | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | Freestanding or wall-mounted as permitted | — | Sec. 86-652(c)(5) |

### Residential District (R-1), Residential District (R-2), Residential District (R-MHP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Attached Sign | 8 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | — | On building | — | Sec. 86-653 |
| Institutional Bulletin Board or Identification Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | 1 per type per lot | On property | — | Sec. 86-653(a)(3)a.2 |
| Street or Property Identification Sign | 8 ft | 3 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | — | On property | — | Sec. 86-653(a)(3)a.3 |
| Temporary Banner (Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Event) | — | 40 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | — | On property, with zoning admin approval | — | Sec. 86-641(a)(1); 86-638(a)(5); 86-653(a)(3)a.4 |
| Subdivision or Development Identification Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | 1 per entrance | At major entrances | — | Sec. 86-653(b)(2) |
| Farm Sign | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW | 1 per property | On property | — | Sec. 86-653(b)(3) |
| Accessory Management or Rental Office Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public ROW if freestanding | 1 per office | On office | — | Sec. 86-653(c) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Admin approval for placement | — | Sec. 86-653(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Altavista

- Off-premises signs are prohibited in all residential, commercial, and industrial zones, except for certain directional and way-finding exceptions.
- Portable signs (including those on stationary vehicles) are prohibited unless specifically allowed; only approved portable A-frame or T-frame signs are permitted and only as allowed by ordinance.
- Portable A-frame or T-frame signs are prohibited except in the C-1, C-2, and M zoning districts as allowed.
- Simulated traffic signs or any sign which may be confused with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited except for time and temperature signs and theater signs with special use permit; changeable copy signs are allowed as defined.
- Glaring signs or signs with light sources of such brightness as to constitute a hazard to motorists or nuisance to adjacent property owners are prohibited.
- Strings of lights outlining property lines, sales areas, or any portion of a structure are prohibited unless part of an approved sign or sign structure; this does not apply to seasonal decorations.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to a tree, utility pole, other natural vegetation, or rocks are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct visibility at intersections or driveways or block any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or any opening intended for light, air, or access to any building are prohibited.
- Signs erected in a public right-of-way or on public land are prohibited except as otherwise specifically allowed (with permission and restrictions).
- Vehicles shall not be utilized as parked or stationary outdoor display signs (conspicuous vehicle signs are prohibited).
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except as specifically provided by ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Altavista

- Address or identification signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Changing the message content of a lawful directory, institutional bulletin board, theater marquee, or other changeable letter sign.
- Commemorative plaques and historical markers erected by a recognized historical agency or governmental body.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of any governmental agency or religious, charitable, public, or nonprofit organization (limitations on size and number apply).
- Handicapped parking space signs.
- Directional signs not exceeding three square feet in area or located closer than five feet to any lot line. Directional signs may be internally or externally illuminated by white light only.
- Security and warning signs posted on private property not exceeding one and one-half square feet in area.
- Private drive signs, one per drive entrance, not exceeding two square feet in area, with message content limited to 'private drive' and address.
- Public signs erected and maintained pursuant to governmental function or required by law.
- Seasonal or temporary displays of patriotic, religious, historic, or civic character on private property (non-commercial, not advertising products/services, duration limit of 30 days).
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located, or from any public right-of-way.
- Streamers (subject to provisions of section 86-644).
- Temporary political campaign signs on private property not exceeding eight square feet in area and six feet in height, to be removed within 30 days after the election.
- Temporary private yard sale signs, not exceeding three per sale, and not placed on utility or sign poles, to be removed by end of last sale day.
- Temporary real estate signs, located on the premises, not exceeding four square feet (residential) or 32 square feet (other districts) and six feet in height, with removal requirements after sale or lease.
- Temporary window signs (shall not be displayed above first floor).
- Vehicle safety inspection signs not exceeding ten square feet (one per business, wall sign or attached to ground-mounted sign structure, not to exceed height of ground-mounted sign).
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, including trailers.
- Temporary off-premises subdivision directional signs.
- Portable A-frame, T-frame signs, or banners meeting the development standards in section 86-641.
- Murals that meet standards as defined in section 86-23.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan is stated for all signs across all zones.
- Deviations from sign standards for certain properties (e.g., C-1 or C-2 on U.S. Route 29) may be permitted by special use permit according to section 86-7, which involves a specific permitting process.
- Permit applications must provide specific information and are subject to review and inspection by the zoning administrator.
- All new signs and existing signs that are replaced, reconstructed, extended, or changed structurally or in content must comply with the development standards outlined in section 86-640.
- Sign standards for multiple businesses, centers, and shopping centers define required submittals but do not reference formal master sign plan submission requirements.
- For any variance or special allowance (such as deviation from height/area limits, per section 86-652(b)(2)b. and d.), a special use permit and public process are required.

## 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 Altavista — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Altavista+VA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-altavista

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