# Sign Regulations in Norton, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Norton, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/norton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Norton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH21SI)

## At a glance

Norton, Virginia regulates 12 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft (message content); 25 ft (overall; see Sec. 21-40) tall and 300 sq ft per street frontage, with a In business zones, must meet projecting restrictions setback (Sec. Sec. 21-38(d), Sec. 21-39, Sec. 21-40).

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business districts | 7 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per street frontage | — |
| Central business district | 2 | — | 250 sq ft per building; 25 sq ft if frontage < 25 ft | — |
| Commercial districts, Industrial districts | 5 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per street frontage | — |
| Shopping centers | 2 | 8 ft (message content); 25 ft (overall; see Sec. 21-40) | 300 sq ft (per street frontage) | — |
| Residential districts | 3 | 8 ft overall; 6 ft message content | 250 sq ft per building; 25 sq ft if < 25 ft frontage | — |
| Multiple-family dwelling projects | 2 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Recreation or conservation districts | 1 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 25 ft unless otherwise specified | 40 sq ft | — |

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

### Business districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Must not extend beyond a vertical plane 2 feet inside the curb line or 6 feet from the building (whichever is less); minimum 10 ft clearance below sign. | — | Sec. 21-36 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to approved marquees constructed per building code. | — | Sec. 21-37 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft (message content); 25 ft (overall; see Sec. 21-40) | 300 sq ft per street frontage | — | In business zones, must meet projecting restrictions | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage on lots with at least 50 ft frontage | — | Sec. 21-38(d), Sec. 21-39, Sec. 21-40 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per building; 25 sq ft if frontage < 25 ft | — | — | — | On wall of building. In commercial/industrial, windows may count as wall. | — | Sec. 21-44 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft, plus up to 10% for top embellishments or 15% for top, side, bottom | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 21-47 |
| Electronic Message Board | Subject to freestanding sign height | Included in max allowed for freestanding sign | — | — | 1 per lot or parcel | Must be located with primary freestanding sign | — | Sec. 21-49 |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 21-45 |

### Commercial districts, Industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft (message); 25 ft (overall); see Sec. 21-40 | 300 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage, lot must have at least 50 ft road frontage | — | Sec. 21-38(d), Sec. 21-39, Sec. 21-40 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per building; 25 sq ft if < 25 ft frontage | — | — | — | On wall of building (windows may be used) | — | Sec. 21-44 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft plus up to 10% top embellishments or 15% for sides | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 21-47 |
| Electronic Message Board | Per freestanding sign maximum | Included in freestanding sign | — | — | 1 per lot/parcel | With primary freestanding sign | — | Sec. 21-49 |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 21-45 |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision/Community) | 8 ft overall; 6 ft message content | 24 sq ft per sign | — | Min 15 ft from any right-of-way | 1 per entrance; max 2 per subdivision/neighborhood/community | 1 per principal street entrance, max 2 per subdivision/neighborhood/community | — | Sec. 21-41 |
| Church Sign (Freestanding/Wall) | 8 ft (if freestanding) | 24 sq ft per sign, including message board | — | — | Max 2 per church; 1 per street frontage | Churches fronting two streets may have 1 sign per frontage, max 2 signs | — | Sec. 21-42 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per building; 25 sq ft if < 25 ft frontage | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 21-44 |

## Prohibited signs in Norton

- Multi-decked or side-by-side outdoor advertising signs are prohibited.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within two hundred (200) feet of any boundary line of a zoning district not allowing such structures.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within two hundred fifty (250) feet from the property line of any public school, library, church, sanctuary, museum or public park.

## Signs exempt from permit in Norton

- Directional signs are permitted upon specific approval of the city manager, with each sign not to exceed eight (8) square feet (in addition to signs permitted elsewhere in the chapter).
- Outdoor directory signs are permitted in multiple building complexes or shopping centers, with specific approval of the city manager, with each sign not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet (in addition to signs permitted elsewhere in the chapter).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A variance to the maximum height of freestanding or outdoor advertising signs may be requested in accordance with section 21-11 (or 21-49 for outdoor advertising signs) where topography precludes vision of the sign from automobiles on abutting primary streets or highways.
- Marquee signs must be attached to approved marquees constructed in accordance with the building code.

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

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