# Sign Regulations in Harrisonburg, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Harrisonburg, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/harrisonburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Harrisonburg/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCOGEOR_TIT14TR_CH2SCBUSTSIVINISY)

## At a glance

Harrisonburg, Virginia regulates 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use and Neighborhood Signs Only)s in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Dwelling Residential District, R-3 Medium Density Residential District, R-4 Planned Unit Residential District, R-8 Small Lot Residential District, U-R Urban Residential District, MH-1 Manufactured Home Park District, MH-2 Manufactured Home Subdivision District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a May occupy minimum building setback if sight vision not obstructed. setback (Sec. 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-208, 10-3-209, 10-3-210, 10-3-214(c), 10-3-212(1)). Most commercial signs in Harrisonburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Dwelling Residential District, R-3 Medium Density Residential District, R-4 Planned Unit Residential District, R-8 Small Lot Residential District, U-R Urban Residential District, MH-1 Manufactured Home Park District, MH-2 Manufactured Home Subdivision District | 5 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-5 High Density Residential District, MX-U Mixed Use Planned Community District | 5 | 18 ft | 64 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — |
| R-6 Low Density Mixed Residential Planned Community District, R-7 Medium Density Mixed Residential Planned Community District | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft or not to exceed sign allotment, whichever is less | — |
| B-1A Local Business District, B-1 Central Business District | 6 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — |
| B-2 General Business District, M-1 General Industrial District | 5 | 35 ft | 240 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — |
| I-1 Institutional Overlay District, R-P Residential-Professional District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Dwelling Residential District, R-3 Medium Density Residential District, R-4 Planned Unit Residential District, R-8 Small Lot Residential District, U-R Urban Residential District, MH-1 Manufactured Home Park District, MH-2 Manufactured Home Subdivision District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use and Neighborhood Signs Only) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | May occupy minimum building setback if sight vision not obstructed. | 1 per public street frontage per parcel | On parcel serving nonresidential use or as neighborhood sign; 1 per parcel public street frontage; may occupy minimum building setback provided sight distance is not obstructed. | — | 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-208, 10-3-209, 10-3-210, 10-3-214(c), 10-3-212(1) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use and Neighborhood Signs Only) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Must be attached/parallel to exterior wall, second floor or below for awning/canopy/marquee signs | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 2 |
| Entry/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrance/exit of parcel | — | 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-209(2)c |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft (residential), 6 ft (for sale/rent), 4 ft (property improvement), 8 ft (for sale/rent B-1/B-2 etc.) | 16 sq ft (residential), 12 sq ft (for sale/rent), 12 sq ft (property improvement), 32 sq ft (for sale/rent B-1/B-2 etc.) | — | May be within minimum building setbacks | See additional requirements | On parcel | — | 10-3-209(2)d-f, 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-208(5) |
| Permanent Small Sign (Residential Parcel) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On residential parcel | — | 10-3-209(2)i |

### R-5 High Density Residential District, MX-U Mixed Use Planned Community District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use and Neighborhood Signs Only) | 18 ft | 64 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — | May occupy minimum building setback if sight vision not obstructed. | 1 per public street frontage per parcel | On parcel serving nonresidential use or as neighborhood sign; 1 per parcel public street frontage; may occupy minimum building setback provided sight distance is not obstructed. | — | 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-214(d) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use and Neighborhood Signs Only) | — | 50 sq ft or not to exceed sign allotment, whichever is less | — | — | — | On nonresidential use/structure; second floor or below for awning/canopy/marquee signs | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 2 |
| Entry/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrance/exit of parcel | — | 10-3-213 Table |
| Sidewalk Sign (MX-U only where master plan allows zero setbacks) | 6 ft | — | 3 ft | — | — | In front of business advertised, only during hours of operation, only if allowed by master plan | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 4 (MX-U) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft (for sale/rent in commercial districts), 4 ft otherwise | 16 sq ft (residential), 32 sq ft (for sale/rent in commercial districts), as per 10-3-209(2) | — | May be within minimum building setbacks | See additional requirements | On parcel | — | 10-3-208, 10-3-209(2), 10-3-213 Table |

### B-1A Local Business District, B-1 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — | May occupy minimum building setback if not obstructing vision | 1 per public street frontage | One per parcel public street frontage; may occupy the minimum building setback if sight vision is not obstructed. | — | 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-214(a), 10-3-212(1)b |
| Wall Sign | — | Sign allotment applies | — | — | — | On front exterior wall (and end units, also on side wall) | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 2, 10-3-212(1)b |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft or sign allotment, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per building (B-1A) | May extend no closer than 2 ft from vertical face of curb; min height 8 ft above pedestrian areas/14 ft above vehicular areas | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 3 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 6 ft | — | 3 ft | — | — | In front of business advertised; only during business hours | — | 10-3-213 Table Note 4 |
| Entry/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrance/exit of parcel; two per entrance allowed | — | 10-3-213 Table |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (for sale/rent); 8 ft max height for commercial for sale/rent | — | May be within minimum building setbacks | 1 per parcel at a time | On parcel; may be within minimum building setbacks | — | 10-3-213 Table, 10-3-209 |

## Prohibited signs in Harrisonburg

- Signs without a permit.
- Signs that violate any law of the Commonwealth relating to outdoor advertising.
- Signs attached to natural vegetation, public utility poles, public light poles, traffic control devices or other traffic signs, or unapproved supporting structures.
- Signs simulating, or which are likely to be confused with, a traffic control device or any other device displayed by a public authority.
- Signs displayed on a vehicle or trailer that is parked in the same location at frequent or for extended periods of time so as to be visible from the public right of way, or other highly visible locations, where the primary purpose is to display a message.
- Signs built on an earthen mound that was created to increase the height of the sign.
- Any sign displayed without complying with applicable regulations of this article.
- Strings of flags or pennants.
- Animated signs, except flags expressly permitted under this article.
- Flashing signs or other signs displaying flashing, scrolling, or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity (except that electronic message centers may change messages at intervals five seconds or slower).
- Signs that emit smoke, flame, scent, mist, aerosol, liquid, or gas.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Feather signs, except as allowed as a grand opening sign.
- Off-premises signs, unless specifically permitted by this article.
- Signs erected on city property other than those approved by the city in writing, required by law without such approval, or permitted under Virginia Code § 24.2-310E.
- Roof signs.
- A sign that obstructs sight distance, or otherwise causes a safety hazard for vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic due to its location.
- Illuminated wall signs on side or rear walls within one hundred (100) feet of a residential district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Harrisonburg

- Changing messages on marquees, changing faceplates, changing messages on changeable copy signs, or for the repair of an existing permitted sign (except repair of nonconforming signs must follow applicable rules).
- Signs required by law or erected by a government entity.
- Flags not containing any commercial advertising.
- Nonilluminated signs with total area up to thirty-two (32) square feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet located on property where a building permit or legal land disturbance is active.
- On any parcel for sale or rent in residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, R-8, MH-1, MH-2, or U-R), not more than one (1) nonilluminated sign with a total area up to twelve (12) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet. In business/industrial districts (B-1, B-1A, B-2, M-1, or MX-U), not more than one (1) nonilluminated sign with a total area up to thirty-two (32) square feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
- On any residential parcel where improvements to the property are being made, one (1) or more temporary signs with a combined total area up to twelve (12) square feet and maximum height of four (4) feet, to be removed when work is completed.
- On any residential parcel, one or more temporary signs with a total area up to sixteen (16) square feet and a maximum height of four (4) feet.
- Signs applied directly and entirely to and flush with an asphalt, concrete, or similar paved surface horizontal to the ground elevation.
- Signs on a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicle while in use in the normal course of business (except display parking for signage purposes is not permitted in zones where otherwise such signs are not permitted).
- On any residential parcel, a permanent sign with a total area of no more than three (3) square feet and a maximum height of four (4) feet.
- Signs recognized as a significant facet of a historical structure included in or eligible for inclusion on a register of historic places.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign may be displayed until a permit has been issued by the department of community development, except for specific exemptions noted.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required to permit otherwise prohibited off-premises wall, projecting, or freestanding signage; such plans are reviewed administratively and must include ownership boundaries, street/alley data, and detailed locations/dimensions/descriptions of all proposed signage.
- Comprehensive sign plan requirements are specified by zoning district and typically apply to developments with multiple establishment buildings, unified projects, or institutional properties (such as colleges, universities, hospitals, and schools); these plans affect both sign allotment and placement.
- Sign plans (comprehensive sign plans) are required for projects seeking to deviate from standard signage allotments, including for multiple parcels managed as one development, or for large institutional or mixed-use projects as detailed in Sec. 10-3-214.
- Site plans for new development or major redevelopment are required to identify the 'location, character and orientation of principal proposed signs as proposed to be erected in accordance with district regulations and the city sign ordinance'; signs approved in accordance with this section (site plan) become part of the site plan, and supplementary signs shall comply with the sign ordinance and district regulations.
- Changes to approved sign plans (comprehensive or site plan) may be required if signage is altered in a manner that substantially affects the original approval.
- For sign variances, a public hearing before the board of zoning appeals is required; see Article W for applicable procedure.
- Temporary sign permits may be issued for limited periods under specific circumstances (e.g., grand openings), subject to permit and time limitations.

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

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