# Sign Regulations in Danville, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Danville, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/danville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Danville/codes/Zoning?nodeId=CH41ZOOR_ART10SIRE)

## At a glance

Danville, Virginia regulates 33 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Sign (Church, Institutional, Civic Use)s in the Sandy River Residential District (SR-R), Threshold Residential District (T-R), Suburban Residential District (S-R), Neo-Traditional Residential District (NT-R), Old Town Residential District (OT-R), Attached Residential District (A-R), Multi-Family Residential District (M-R), Mobile Home Park Residential District (MHP-R) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft (message); up to 44 sq ft for supporting architectural elements, with a 5 ft from public street R.O.W. or property line; 10 ft from alley, private street, or driveway setback (Sec. Art. 10, § L.1.a, chart). Most commercial signs in Danville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
| Sandy River Residential District (SR-R), Threshold Residential District (T-R), Suburban Residential District (S-R), Neo-Traditional Residential District (NT-R), Old Town Residential District (OT-R), Attached Residential District (A-R), Multi-Family Residential District (M-R), Mobile Home Park Residential District (MHP-R) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (message); up to 44 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (N-C), Transitional Office District (TO-C) | 7 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (message); up to 44 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — |
| Central Business Commercial District (CB-C) | 8 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft per sign, no more than 2 per wall frontage, max 100 sq ft total per frontage | — |
| Tobacco Warehouse Commercial District (TW-C) | 7 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft (max 2 per wall frontage; max 100 sq ft per wall frontage) | — |
| Highway Retail Commercial District (HR-C), Planned Shopping Center Commercial District (PS-C) | 9 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft per face; up to 300 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — |
| Cyber Park One District (CP-1), Light Economic Development District (LED-I), Manufacturing Industrial District (M-I) | 6 | 24 ft | 175 sq ft (message); up to 200 sq ft for supporting elements | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay District (HP-O) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Sandy River Residential District (SR-R), Threshold Residential District (T-R), Suburban Residential District (S-R), Neo-Traditional Residential District (NT-R), Old Town Residential District (OT-R), Attached Residential District (A-R), Multi-Family Residential District (M-R), Mobile Home Park Residential District (MHP-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Church, Institutional, Civic Use) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (message); up to 44 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from public street R.O.W. or property line; 10 ft from alley, private street, or driveway | 1 per lot/project | On site for church, school, park, playground, library, museum, or other public/semi-public/club/recreational use. | — | Art. 10, § L.1.a, chart |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Single Family Subdivision or Project ID) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft (message); up to 32 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from public street R.O.W. or property line; 10 ft from alley, private street, or driveway | 1 per entrance (2 if median, with approval) | At each street entrance to subdivision/manufactured home park | — | Art. 10, § L.1.b, chart |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Multi-family, Nursing Home, Daycare ID) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (message); up to 44 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from public street R.O.W. or property line; 10 ft from alley, private street, or driveway | 1 per lot/project | At development site | — | Art. 10, § L.1.c, chart |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Bed and Breakfast ID) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft (message); up to 16 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from public street R.O.W. or property line; 10 ft from alley, private street, or driveway | 1 per lot/project | At bed and breakfast, inn, or tourist home | — | Art. 10, § L.1.d, chart |
| Freestanding Sign (Dwelling Identification) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | At dwelling or home occupation | — | Art. 10, § L.1.e, chart |
| Wall Sign (Dwelling/Building ID) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On dwelling or building | — | Art. 10, § L.2.a, chart |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Family Building ID) | — | 10 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | 1 or more (aggregate area limit) | On multi-family building—signs displaying address only | — | Art. 10, § L.2.b, chart |
| Directory Sign (Church Only) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft (message); up to 24 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | — | 1 per church | At church or place of worship | — | Art. 10, § L.3, chart |

### Central Business Commercial District (CB-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business) | 12 ft | 16 sq ft (message); up to 22 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from R.O.W., private street, property line, alley, or driveway | 1 per lot | At single business establishment | — | Art. 10, § N.1.a, summary chart |
| Freestanding Sign (Two or more Businesses) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft (message); up to 32 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 5 ft from R.O.W., private street, property line, alley, or driveway | 1 per lot | At grouped businesses | — | Art. 10, § N.1.b, summary chart |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from R.O.W. | 1 per entrance | Per entrance | — | Art. 10, § N.1.c |
| Directory Sign | 12 ft | 16 sq ft (message); up to 24 sq ft for support/base | — | — | 1 per building | Per building | — | Art. 10, § N.3.a |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per wall facing public street | 1 per wall facing public street | — | Art. 10, § N.2.a, summary chart |
| Projecting Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Per business establishment | — | Art. 10, § N.2.b, summary chart |
| Projecting Sign (Projecting Banner) | — | 50 sq ft per sign, no more than 2 per wall frontage, max 100 sq ft total per frontage | — | — | 4 per establishment (2 per wall frontage per street or parking area) | 4 per establishment, see additional requirements | — | Art. 10, § N.2.b |
| Awning, Canopy or Marquee Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per business | Per business establishment | — | Art. 10, § N.2.c, summary chart |

### Highway Retail Commercial District (HR-C), Planned Shopping Center Commercial District (PS-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business) | 30 ft | 75 sq ft (message); up to 100 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 10 ft from R.O.W., private street, property line, alley, or driveway; if 20 ft setback from street R.O.W., other setbacks may be zero | 1 per lot | Single business establishment | — | Art. 10, § P.1.a, summary chart |
| Freestanding Sign (Two or more Businesses, <60,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 125 sq ft (message); up to 150 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 10 ft from R.O.W., private street, property line, alley, or driveway | 1 per lot | At group of businesses/buildings <60,000 sq ft GLA | — | Art. 10, § P.1.b, summary chart |
| Freestanding Sign (Two or more Businesses, >60,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 175 sq ft (message); up to 200 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 10 ft from R.O.W., private street, property line, alley, or driveway | 1 per lot | At group of businesses/buildings >60,000 sq ft GLA | — | Art. 10, § P.1.c, summary chart |
| Freestanding Sign (Development Name Sign, >400,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 300 sq ft per face; up to 300 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | 10 ft from R.O.W. (unless min 8ft reader board clearance, then 0ft), 10ft from overhead electrical cable. | 1 per entrance to public street | Per entrance to public street connection | — | Art. 10, § P.1.e |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from R.O.W. | 1 per entrance/exit | At each entrance/exit | — | Art. 10, § P.1.d |
| Directory Sign (Single Business) | 16 ft | 30 sq ft (message); up to 48 sq ft for supporting architectural elements | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance—per building | — | Art. 10, § P.3.a, summary chart |
| Directory Sign (Two or more Businesses <60,000 sq ft) | 16 ft | 30 sq ft (message); up to 48 sq ft for supporting elements | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance—per building | — | Art. 10, § P.3.b, summary chart |
| Directory Sign (Two or more Businesses >60,000 sq ft) | 24 ft | 45 sq ft (message); up to 48 sq ft for supporting elements | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance—per building | — | Art. 10, § P.3.c, summary chart |

## Prohibited signs in Danville

- Outdoor advertising signs, including billboards, unless otherwise specified in this ordinance.
- Permanent pennants, banners, festoons, streamers, and all other flutter, spinning or similar type signs and advertising devices are prohibited, except as specifically allowed (such as certain flags and banners in specific districts or by permit).
- Permanent advertising signs attached to fences in recreation areas are prohibited in all residential districts, except for certain cases by special use permit.
- No sign which is not an integral part of the building design shall be fastened to and supported by or on the roof of a building and no projecting sign shall extend over or above the roof line or parapet wall of a building.
- No flashing signs or signs containing strings of lights shall be permitted in any district. No sign may display intermittent lights resembling danger or emergency vehicle lights or used for navigation purposes.
- No sign shall be constructed, erected, operated, or maintained if it provides a background of colored lights blending with traffic signal lights and confuses motorists, as determined by the Director of Planning/Zoning Administrator.
- No sign, except official notices of the City, shall be attached to trees, utility poles, public property, improvements within public rights of way, or on any unapproved supporting structure.
- No sign shall project over public right-of-way without express permission of the Planning Commission in conjunction with approval of a site plan, except for permitted flat signs which may project not more than 18 inches.
- Conspicuous vehicle signs (signs mounted, painted, or affixed to parked vehicles, trailers, or towable devices intended for advertising to passersby and not in daily business use) are prohibited.
- Separate signs attached to a freestanding sign or its supporting structure, advertising services including but not limited to automobile travel clubs and credit cards, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Danville

- Traffic signs and signals: signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any federal, state, or county government function, or as required by law, including official traffic signs and signals, warning devices, and similar signs.
- Changing of message content on bulletin boards, poster boards, display encasements, marquees, or changeable copy signs.
- Temporary signs advertising home, garage, or yard sales (not commercial enterprises or real estate sales) subject to limitations on location, size, number, and duration.
- Temporary, non-illuminated window signs in display windows in a business district, limited to 10 percent of the total glass area.
- Temporary, non-illuminated real estate signs advertising property for sale or lease, subject to size, location, number, and duration restrictions.
- Non-illuminated signs advertising public auctions or sales (not for established commercial enterprises, real estate, or home/garage/yard sales) subject to size, number, location, and duration limits.
- Non-illuminated signs identifying official state automobile inspection stations, limited in size and number.
- Temporary, non-illuminated construction signs not more than 32 square feet in area, displayed only while actual construction is in progress.
- Non-illuminated signs warning trespassers or announcing the property as posted, limited to 3 square feet.
- Mounted, attached, or painted signs on vehicles in use in the normal course of business which are in operating condition and legally registered/inspected.
- Political signs applicable to elections, subject to size, height, and removal deadline limits.
- Sponsorship signs on public facilities or public land (for activities of sponsoring organizations), with area subject to underlying zoning.
- Signs of a constituted government body erected or maintained for public safety and welfare or by regulation.
- Display of a national, state, or municipal flag, subject to area and, in some cases, special use permit requirements.
- Memorial tablets and historic markers erected or approved by the Commonwealth or the City.
- Address signs for residential occupants, up to thirty (30) square inches in face area.
- Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising a product or service and not displayed more than 30 days.
- Artwork and statuary that do not contain commercial messages or references.
- Decals affixed to windows/doors indicating business group membership or accepted credit cards, not exceeding 36 square inches.
- Handicapped parking space signs not exceeding 2 square feet, meeting ADA requirements.
- On-premise private residential drive signs, one per drive entrance, not exceeding 2 square feet, limited to 'private drive' and address information.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit is required for all signs except those specifically excluded from permit requirements (Section C.1).
- Applications for sign permits must include standard information as well as written/graphic exhibits (Section C.3).
- No sign located on or projecting over a City right-of-way shall be erected without a public liability insurance policy filed with the City, naming the City as coinsured (Section C.4).
- Applications for unusual signs or displays, or those raising interpretation questions, may be referred to the Planning Commission for interpretation, with recommendations for amendment if the application is not adequately covered (Section J.7).
- In the Historic Preservation Overlay District (HP-O), the Review Commission may approve the design compatibility of signs and may authorize an alternative signage plan that does not strictly adhere to the area, number, height, and location criteria within the HP-O District if determined more consistent with the architectural character (Sections L.4.b, M.4.b, N.4.b, O.4.b, P.4.d, Q.4.b).

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

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