# Sign Regulations in Covington, Virginia

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

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

## At a glance

Covington, Virginia regulates 20 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Commercial District, Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2) zoning district are capped at Cannot extend above height of wall to which attached tall and 50 sq ft, with a Min 2 ft from curb line; min under-clearance 10 ft. setback (Sec. Section 62(4)). Most commercial signs in Covington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft | 300 sq. ft. (on public property); other limitations by zone | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, UR) | 5 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2) | 12 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Conservation District | 3 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (total for up to 2 signs) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | Must not extend more than 15 inches from the building | — | — | Painted on or attached flat against a wall, window, or other vertical surface. | — | Section 1 (Definitions), Section 53(f), Section 55, Section 81-82 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 300 sq. ft. (on public property); other limitations by zone | — | — | — | On private property as permitted; on public property with permit. On-site directional: not within 3 feet of street/property line. | — | Sections 1, 32, 53(a), 60(2), 81-82 |
| Banner Sign | — | Per formula; not to exceed for two frontages; one sign per frontage. | — | — | Max one per building frontage; per regulations for multiple tenants/buildings. | Securely attached to or suspended from vertical face or other part of a building; must be at least 7 ft. above grade unless flush with building. | — | Section 58(1)-(5) |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | Not within 5 feet of right-of-way, property line, or driveway | 1 per lot, more allowed in shopping centers per Section 57(3) | Must not be within 5 feet of any street right-of-way, property line, or driveway. | — | Section 57(1)-(4) |
| Sandwich Board (A-frame) Sign | 6 ft | — | 2.5 ft | — | 1 per business; shopping centers: up to 12 total | On private property or city sidewalks/by approval; not to project over street or obstruct sidewalk to less than 4 ft width. | — | Section 53(h) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft (aggregate) | — | Not within 10 feet of developed public right-of-way. | — | Residential zoning districts; not within 10 feet of developed public ROW. | — | Section 60(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial/Manufacturing Districts) | — | 18 sq ft (aggregate) | — | Not within 10 feet of developed public right-of-way. | — | Commercial/manufacturing districts; not within 10 feet of developed public ROW. | — | Section 60(1) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Not within 3 feet of street or property line. | — | On private property (not within 3 feet of street or other property line). | — | Section 60(2) |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, UR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On premises. | — | Section 61(1) |
| Residential Neighborhood Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 per neighborhood | At principal entrance to the neighborhood. | — | Section 61(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | — | — | Not within 5 feet of developed public right-of-way. | — | Not within 5 feet of developed public ROW. | — | Section 61(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft (aggregate for property) | — | Not within 10 feet of developed public right-of-way. | — | On property, not within 10 ft of ROW. | — | Section 60(1) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Not within 3 feet of street/property line. | — | On private property (not within 3 feet of street/property line) | — | Section 60(2) |

### Commercial District, Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above wall to which attached | Per formula | — | — | Aggregate for all sign types, see zone formula. | Flat against wall or other vertical/main building surface; or attached flat to lower plane of mansard/gambrel roof. | — | Section 62(3), Section 81-82 |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot extend above height of wall to which attached | 50 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from curb line; min under-clearance 10 ft. | One per building frontage | Attached to and projects from face of wall of main building; min under-clearance 10 ft; at least 2 ft from any curb line. | — | Section 62(4) |
| Awning Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | No closer than 12 in from curb line; under-clearance min 8 ft. | 1 per building frontage; 1 per face | On awning attached to main building; minimum under-clearance 8 ft; no closer than 12 in from curb line. | — | Section 62(5)(a)-(c) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | Min under-clearance 10 ft; no closer than 2 ft from curb. | 1 per building frontage; 1 per face | On canopy attached to main building; minimum under-clearance 10 ft; no closer than 2 ft from curb line. | — | Section 62(5)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Per Street Frontage >= 100 ft) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Not within 5 ft of ROW, property line/driveway; not within 50 ft of lot in residential district. | 1 per eligible street frontage | Along street frontage (>=100 ft); not within 5 ft of ROW/lot line/driveway; not within 50 ft of any lot in residential district. | — | Section 62(6)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center) | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | Shopping center site. | — | Section 62(6)(d) |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft min from street ROW, property line, or driveway. | 1 per lot; more in shopping centers (see Section 57(3)). | Not within 5 ft of street ROW, property line, or driveway. | — | Section 57 |
| Electronic Message Board Sign | 15 ft to bottom of sign | 100 sq ft (total sign), message area max 42 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | 1 per premises | — | Section 62(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Covington

- No sign shall be located, arranged or designed so that it interferes with traffic by glare, blocking of reasonable sight lines, confusion with a traffic control device, or any other means.
- No sign shall be permitted to be nailed or otherwise affixed to any existing sign structure unless it is to become an integral part of such existing sign structure.
- Except as specifically permitted in the commercial district, no portion of any sign or its supporting structure shall extend beyond the property lines of the lot on which it is located or extend into or project over the right-of-way of a public street.
- Animated signs as defined are not permitted in any district.
- No wall sign or other sign shall be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway or other opening intended for ingress or egress or for needed ventilation and light.
- No person except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty shall paste, paint, print, nail, tack, erect, place or fasten any sign, pennant, banner or notice of any kind within, facing or visible to any public street or public open space, except as provided for in this chapter.
- Any sign that, due to its size, location, color, or illumination, obscures a sign displayed by a public agency is prohibited.
- Any sign, except an official public notice, which is nailed, tacked, posted, or otherwise attached to any utility pole, or structure supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or to public property of any description is prohibited.
- Any sign located within a public right-of-way, except for signs displayed by a duly constituted governmental authority, is prohibited.
- Flashing or revolving lights, or beacons intended to direct attention to a location, building or service, or any similar device otherwise displayed that imitates by its design or use, emergency service vehicles or equipment are prohibited.
- Any sign that simulates an official traffic sign or signal is prohibited.
- Any sign or portion thereof that rotates, or otherwise moves through the use of electrical or wind power, with the exception of the changing of messages on electronic message boards, is prohibited.
- Billboard signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Covington

- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of premises.
- Flags and insignia of a governmental unit except when displayed in connection with commercial promotions, and decorative flags or banners containing no advertising, commercial logo or message and not displayed as part of a commercial promotion or in connection with any presentation otherwise considered a sign.
- Legal notices; identification, informational or directional signs erected or required by governing bodies.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of a building, except for letters, trademarks, logos or moving parts or moving lights.
- Signs that are displayed no longer than 30 days per calendar year and not to exceed 32 square feet in area.
- Memorial signs and historical markers pertaining to the site on which they are located.
- Signs not exceeding five square feet in area providing directions.
- Signs showing the location of underground facilities.
- Non-illuminated signs, not more than four square feet in area, displayed on private property.
- Signs on the inside of establishments (except those specified in section 36-92(d) and (f)).
- Signs displayed on major holidays.
- Street address signs, not exceeding ten square feet in area.
- Signs displayed on a truck, bus, or other vehicle while in use in the normal conduct of business (provided that the vehicle is not parked for display purposes or used as a portable sign).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit that does not require site plan review must be accompanied by three copies of a plot plan showing existing and proposed permanent signs, including location, lettering, dimensions, lighting, and means of attachment or support.
- Any freestanding signs must be shown on a site drawing; building elevation drawings must be submitted where necessary.
- A permit is required for most signs unless specifically exempted.
- Permit is not required if the sign is approved in conjunction with a zoning permit for construction, alteration, or conversion of a building and no change to the sign is proposed.
- Height and area requirements for commercial, M-1, and M-2 signs may be increased by special exception permit subject to reasonable conditions.

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

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