# Sign Regulations in Leesburg, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Leesburg, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/leesburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Leesburg/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITOCO_CH32TRVE_ARTIVOPVEGE_S32-122DEPUSTTOGOCAOPPOSIPIUPDROFPAPASI)

## At a glance

Leesburg, Virginia regulates 4 sign types across 1 zoning district. Projecting Signs in the Old and Historic District zoning district are capped at No higher than the sill of a second-floor window or 14 feet above the sidewalk, whichever is less—unless architectural review deems otherwise tall (Sec. Sec. 30-31 (definitions); Sec. 30-33(5); Sec. 30-34; Sec. 30-35; Sec. 30-39; Sec. 30-40(3),(4)). Most commercial signs in Leesburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Old and Historic District | 4 | No higher than the sill of a second-floor window or 14 feet above the sidewalk, whichever is less—unless architectural review deems otherwise | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Old and Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed to be placed over and upon the public right-of-way in the district as a fixed amenity, subject to board of architectural review approval. | — | Sec. 30-31 (definitions); Sec. 30-33(4); Sec. 30-34; Sec. 30-35; Sec. 30-39; Sec. 30-40(2); Sec. 30-40(3) |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than the sill of a second-floor window or 14 feet above the sidewalk, whichever is less—unless architectural review deems otherwise | — | — | — | — | Affixed to a building; allowed to project over and upon public right-of-way in the district as a fixed amenity, subject to architectural review. | — | Sec. 30-31 (definitions); Sec. 30-33(5); Sec. 30-34; Sec. 30-35; Sec. 30-39; Sec. 30-40(3),(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Nonfixed; may be placed on the public right-of-way in the Old and Historic District, subject to design guidelines for nonfixed streetscape features and not permanently attached. | — | Sec. 30-31 (definition); Sec. 30-33(10); Sec. 30-34(2)-(3); Sec. 30-35 |
| Awning, Marquee, or Canopy (with signage) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed over and upon public rights-of-way in Old and Historic District, subject to board of architectural review approval if fixed. | — | Sec. 30-31 (definition); Sec. 30-33(3); Sec. 30-34; Sec. 30-35; Sec. 30-39; Sec. 30-40 |

## Prohibited signs in Leesburg

- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that interferes with the free and unencumbered passage of pedestrians.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that covers or intrudes upon any architectural features of a building such as windows, columns, moldings, balconies or any major decoration.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that obstructs free and clear vision or distracts the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of its position, shape, color, reflection or illumination.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that obstructs the street intersection or vehicle entrance sight distance.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that bears or contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character which will offend public morals or decency.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that advertises or publicizes an activity, business, product or service not conducted on the premises adjacent to the public right-of-way upon which such projections are maintained.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, relocated or maintained that is in any way animated; emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be affixed to trees, fences, posts, light poles, street signs or any other types of natural vegetation or rocks.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall project, in whole or in part, from the right-of-way line over a right-of-way more than 3½ feet, except seasonal decorations, existing awnings, canopies and marquees.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be a time-temperature device or a reader board.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be illuminated with any color light other than white light and which source of light is visible from a pedestrian level.
- No projection or streetscape amenity shall be internally illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Leesburg

- Seasonal decorations, existing awnings, canopies and marquees may project more than 3½ feet from the right-of-way line over a right-of-way.
- This article does not relieve or limit the responsibility or liability of any person who owns or erects any projecting object for personal injury or property damage caused by the projecting object.
- Displays of merchandise on the sidewalk are allowed, provided they are limited in size, directly in front of the business during business hours, and allow at least a four-foot pedestrian passage or comply with ADA requirements.
- Large displays of merchandise on the public sidewalk may be permitted only as part of a coordinated sidewalk or outdoor sale event open to all merchants in the district with a special event permit and limited in duration (no more than three consecutive days and not more than once a month).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Board of architectural review approval is required for fixed amenities such as, but not limited to, signs, awnings, flags, window boxes and architectural features.
- Permanently installed signs must comply with any and all other ordinances of the town that govern signs.
- Design guidelines established by the board of architectural review apply to allowed nonfixed streetscape features and display fixtures.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Leesburg, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Leesburg+VA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-leesburg

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