# Sign Regulations in Emporia, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Emporia, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/emporia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Emporia/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH90ZOSUOR_ARTVIIICODEST_DIV6SI)

## At a glance

Emporia, Virginia regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (1 business)s in the Downtown District (DT), Commercial District (C-1, C-2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft (C-1, DT); 90 ft (C-2) tall and 50 sq ft (C-1, DT); 150 sq ft (C-2), with a Minimum setback from any right-of-way is one-half the sign height setback (Sec. Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9). Most commercial signs in Emporia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MH, R-PRD) | 5 | 10 ft or equal to the eave line/bottom of second story window sill, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — |
| Downtown District (DT), Commercial District (C-1, C-2) | 5 | 25 ft (C-1, DT); 90 ft (C-2) | 75 sq ft (C-1, DT); 175 sq ft (C-2) | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 5 | 90 ft | 175 sq ft | — |
| Manufactured Home Park | 2 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 30 ft (residential, planned development, DT); 45 ft (C-1, C-2, industrial) | 60 sq ft, 30 ft height (residential, planned development, DT); 96 sq ft, 45 ft height (C-1, C-2, industrial) | — |

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

### Downtown District (DT), Commercial District (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1 business) | 6 ft (C-1, DT); 90 ft (C-2) | 50 sq ft (C-1, DT); 150 sq ft (C-2) | — | Minimum setback from any right-of-way is one-half the sign height | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9 |
| Freestanding Sign (2+ businesses with coordinated access point(s)) | 25 ft (C-1, DT); 90 ft (C-2) | 75 sq ft (C-1, DT); 175 sq ft (C-2) | — | Minimum setback from any right-of-way is one-half the sign height | 1 per street frontage, per access point | 1 per street frontage, per access point | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9 |
| Projecting Sign | Equal to the eave line, or the bottom of a second story window sill, whichever is lower | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | 1 per establishment | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited (per building face occupied by the tenant) | Unlimited; per building face | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9 |
| Canopy Sign | Shall not extend above or be suspended below the horizontal plane of the canopy fascia | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.8, 8.9 |

### Industrial District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1 business) | 90 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Minimum setback from any right-of-way is one-half the sign height | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.9 |
| Freestanding Sign (2+ businesses with coordinated access point(s)) | 90 ft | 175 sq ft | — | Minimum setback from any right-of-way is one-half the sign height | 1 per street frontage, per access point | 1 per street frontage, per access point | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.9 |
| Projecting Sign | Equal to the eave line, or the bottom of a second story window sill, whichever is lower | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | 1 per establishment | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.9 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited (per building face occupied by the tenant) | Unlimited; per building face | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.9 |
| Canopy Sign | Shall not extend above or be suspended below the horizontal plane of the canopy fascia | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 90-517/Table 8.9 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign (Exemption) | — | 12 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage/business | 1 per street frontage/business | — | Sec. 90-514(3)(a) |
| Minor Sign (Exemption) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per street frontage | 2 per street frontage | — | Sec. 90-514(3)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Exemption) | — | 40 sq ft (general); 16 sq ft for single-/two-family residential property for construction/rental/sale signs | — | — | — | See ordinance | — | Sec. 90-514(3)(c); 90-516(c) |
| Memorial Plaque / Building Cornerstone (Exemption) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-514(3)(d) |
| Flag Sign | 30 ft (residential, planned development, DT); 45 ft (C-1, C-2, industrial) | 60 sq ft, 30 ft height (residential, planned development, DT); 96 sq ft, 45 ft height (C-1, C-2, industrial) | — | Flagpole setback = pole length | 2 (res, DT, planned); 3 (C-1, C-2, industrial) | Limit 2 per parcel (residential/DT/PD); 3 per parcel (C-1, C-2, industrial) | — | Sec. 90-514(4) |
| Window Sign (DT district exemption) | — | 2 sq ft per foot of frontage (first floor windows only) | — | — | — | First floor windows; DT District | — | Sec. 90-514(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Emporia

- Signs not expressly permitted are prohibited in all zones.
- Any sign affixed to, hung, placed, or painted on any cliff, rock, tree, or other natural feature; public utility pole or structure supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or radio, television, or similar tower are prohibited.
- Signs or banners within or across a public right-of-way are prohibited unless specifically approved by VDOT and city council.
- Any sign that, due to size, illumination, location, or height, obstructs the vision of motorists or pedestrians at any intersection, or similarly obstructs the vision of motorists entering a public right-of-way from private property is prohibited.
- Signs simulating or likely to be confused with a traffic control sign or any other sign displayed by a public authority are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct any window or door opening used as a means of egress, prevent free passage on roofs, or interfere with required openings for ventilation are prohibited.
- Signs attached, painted, or mounted to unlicensed, inoperative, or generally stationary vehicles and/or trailers primarily used as static displays are prohibited.
- Signs extending above the roofline of a structure, building, or parapet wall are prohibited.
- Flashing signs or signs with intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity or color, or with non-shielded illumination within 200 feet of a residential district are prohibited, except those officially erected for safety purposes (does not apply to signs changing messages at intervals of at least ten seconds).
- Strings of lights outlining any part of a building or affixed to any ornamental feature thereof, except for seasonal holiday displays limited to 45 days, are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sound, smoke, flame, scent, mist, aerosol, liquid, or gas are prohibited.
- Signs depicting illegal activity or specified sexual activities/anatomical areas or sexually oriented goods are prohibited.
- Signs containing information which states or implies a property can be used for any purpose not permitted under the ordinance are prohibited.
- Off-site (off-premises) signs are prohibited unless specifically permitted by ordinance.
- Signs greater in size, quantity, or window coverage other than as provided in the ordinance are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Emporia

- Signs erected by a governmental body or required by law, including official traffic signs or sign structures and provisional warning signs or sign structures, and temporary signs indicating danger.
- Changing of message content on a changeable message sign is permitted if such signs are allowed in the district.
- One portable sign per street frontage/business not to exceed 12 square feet in area, removed when the establishment is closed, and not obstructing vehicular, parking, or pedestrian movement.
- Two minor signs per street frontage, each not to exceed three square feet in area, not to exceed four feet in height, and not illuminated.
- Temporary signs for events/non-recurring activities, not exceeding 40 square feet in area and erected for not more than 30 consecutive days.
- Temporary signs on properties under construction, renovation, for sale, or rent: up to 16 square feet for single- and two-family residential, or 40 square feet for all other residential, nonresidential, or mixed-use properties.
- Memorial plaques and building cornerstones not exceeding six square feet, cut into or carved from noncombustible material and integrated into a building.
- Flag signs, with quantity, size, height, and setback limitations, are exempt (subject to specific restrictions per zoning district and setback safety).
- Window signs within specified area limits (e.g., in DT district, first floor, not exceeding two square feet per linear foot of frontage).
- Signs affixed to the interior of a permanent fence at a recreation or sports facility.
- Art, murals, and holiday or seasonal decorations not commercial in nature.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs requiring a sign permit within planned developments will be determined as part of the rezoning process.
- For conformity with sign ordinance standards, sign permit applications must include the type of sign, location, measurements, and must be in conformity with an approved site plan for the property when applicable.
- Master or coordinated sign plans are implicitly required in multi-business/access projects to demonstrate coordinated access and sign spacing/placement as permitted under the tables for C-1, C-2, and DT districts.
- Review for compliance with sign standards shall occur as part of the review of an application for a site plan, planned development, zoning permit, conditional use permit, or variance (see Division 1, Sec. 90-452(d): applies to lighting for signage, and consistent practice for site elements).

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

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