# Sign Regulations in Kilmarnock, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kilmarnock, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/kilmarnock
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Kilmarnock/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH54ZO_ARTIIIDIRE_DIV7AGDIA-_S54-398SIRE)

## At a glance

Kilmarnock, Virginia regulates 25 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Subdivision Sign - Monuments in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 54-453(e)). Most commercial signs in Kilmarnock require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 7 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, C-1 | 16 | 15 ft above sidewalk | 200 sq ft | — |
| M-1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | Behind the front yard setback | 1 | Behind front yard setback or on property of private dwelling | — | Sec. 54-453(b) |
| Church Bulletin Board | — | 24 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from the front lot line | 1 per street frontage | On property of the church, one on each street frontage if facing more than one street | — | Sec. 54-453(c) |
| Identification Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from the front lot line | 1 | On property of the institution, convent, etc. | — | Sec. 54-453(d) |
| Subdivision Sign - Monument | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street on perimeter | On property of subdivision or housing development, at least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 54-453(e) |
| Subdivision Sign - Pole | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street on perimeter | On property of subdivision or housing development | — | Sec. 54-453(e) |
| Contractor/Developer Sign | — | 24 sq ft (contractor); 8 sq ft (subcontractor) | — | — | 1 contractor, any number of subcontractor signs | Premises where building operations are being conducted | — | Sec. 54-453(f)(1) |
| Real Estate Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft total area | — | At least 5 ft from right-of-way | — | On property being advertised | — | Sec. 54-453(f)(2) |

### Commercial District, C-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - One-story building | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall of building facing street, alley or parking area | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(1) |
| Wall Sign - First Floor, Multi-story | 15 ft above sidewalk | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Walls facing street, alley or parking area | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(2) |
| Projecting Wall Sign | — | — | — | Cannot project beyond setback line except at zoning administrator's discretion | — | Flat against a wall or at angle, may not project beyond setback line unless otherwise permitted | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(6) |
| Roof Sign (C-1 only) | 10 ft above roof level | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On roof | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Cannot project beyond setback line | 1 per qualifying building | Lot with required drive-in, parking, or building setback | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Businesses/Complexes) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Cannot project beyond setback line | 1 per complex | On property of business townhouse, condo, or complex | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(8) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per parcel, up to 4 per business town-wide | Location approved by landowner and zoning administrator; not within 5 ft of property line | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(11) |
| Electronic Message Sign | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Cannot project beyond setback line | 1 per business | On-premises | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(13) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Animated Signs | — | — | — | — | — | All districts | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(12) |
| Billboards/General Advertising Signs | — | — | — | — | — | All zones | — | Sec. 54-455 |
| Illuminated Signs | — | — | — | — | — | All zones | — | Sec. 54-454(b)(14) |

## Prohibited signs in Kilmarnock

- Billboards and general advertising signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Animated signs are prohibited in all districts.
- No sign shall project beyond the established setback line, except as may be specifically allowed by the zoning administrator.
- No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner that directs lighting upon a public street, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign shall be located, arranged, designed, or illuminated to imply the need or requirement of stopping, caution, existence of danger, or which is a copy or imitation of or which for any reason is likely to be confused with any sign displayed or authorized by a public authority (specific to electronic message signs but is a general safety prohibition).

## Signs exempt from permit in Kilmarnock

- Signs advertising the acts or features to be given in a movie theater may be displayed on permanent frames erected on theater buildings, and under certain size limitations, may be exempt from the total area calculations for allowable signage.
- Electronic message signs are allowed under specified conditions and must comply with the requirements of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A revised or new sign permit is required when the sign face or business changes or is altered.
- The location, size, wording, and design of directional signs in the commercial district are subject to review by the town zoning administrator upon application for a zoning permit.
- No signs other than those indicated on the sign application shall be attached to a freestanding sign.
- If a sign placed on the established setback line places it in an unfavorable position with respect to other signs in the area, the zoning administrator may permit such projection beyond the setback line as will not be contrary to the public interest, and shall direct the location of the sign.

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

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