# Sign Regulations in Petersburg, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Petersburg, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/petersburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-01
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Petersburg/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_APXBZO_ART21SIRE)

## At a glance

Petersburg, Virginia regulates 20 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the R-1A Single-Family Residence District, R-1 Single-Family Residence District, R-2 Single-Family Residence District, R-3 Two-Family Residence District, R-4 Multiple Dwelling District, R-5 Multiple Dwelling District, RMH Residential Mobile Homes District, RTH Residential Town House District zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall, 12 sq. ft., and 3 ft. wide (Sec. Article 21, Sec 10). Most commercial signs in Petersburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A Agricultural District | 1 | — | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| R-1A Single-Family Residence District, R-1 Single-Family Residence District, R-2 Single-Family Residence District, R-3 Two-Family Residence District, R-4 Multiple Dwelling District, R-5 Multiple Dwelling District, RMH Residential Mobile Homes District, RTH Residential Town House District | 6 | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| RMH Residential Mobile Homes District | 1 | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| RB Office-Apartment District | 1 | — | 2 sq. ft. per office | — |
| B-1 Shopping Center District | 1 | — | As determined by commission/city council for each shopping center plan | — |
| B-2 General Commercial District | 3 | 4 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| B-3 Central Commercial District | 2 | 4 ft. | 125 sq. ft. | — |
| M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District | 2 | 4 ft. | 350 sq. ft. (aggregate per parcel) | — |
| MXD-1 Mixed Use District, MXD-2 Mixed Use District | 2 | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| MXD-3 Mixed Use District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 50 ft. (Interstate corridors); 25 ft. elsewhere | 675 sq. ft. per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### R-1A Single-Family Residence District, R-1 Single-Family Residence District, R-2 Single-Family Residence District, R-3 Two-Family Residence District, R-4 Multiple Dwelling District, R-5 Multiple Dwelling District, RMH Residential Mobile Homes District, RTH Residential Town House District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Church/Institution Identification Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Accessory to public and semipublic uses; typically on property | — | Article 5 Sec 2(10); Article 21, Sec 3.1, Sec 5 |
| Home Occupation Identification Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises of the home occupation. | — | Article 3, Home Occupation definition; Article 21, Sec 5.6 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On property being sold/leased/rented. | — | Article 21, Sec 5.4 |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | up to 3 | On construction site. | — | Article 21, Sec 5.7 |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On private property; not in visibility triangles at intersections. | — | Article 21, Sec 5.12 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per property | Commercial properties only; not residential. | — | Article 21, Sec 10 |

### B-2 General Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory or Business Sign | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On the premises of the business/service | — | Article 21, Section 9.4 |
| Outdoor Advertising Structure/Sign | — | 100 sq. ft.; larger signs must be flat against wall | — | — | — | As specified in Article 15, Section 2(8) | — | Article 15, Section 2(8) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per property | Within same parcel boundaries or in pedestrian right-of-way (conditions apply). | — | Article 21, Sec 10 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory or Business Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Article 21, Sec 3 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (General) | 6 ft. freestanding | 6 sq. ft. in residential; 16 sq. ft. in commercial/industrial | — | — | — | On property being advertised | — | Article 21, Sec 5.4 |
| Construction Sign (General) | — | 16 sq. ft. per sign (max 3 signs) | — | — | Up to 3 | On construction site | — | Article 21, Sec 5.7 |
| Political Campaign Sign (General) | — | 6 sq. ft. in residential, 32 sq. ft. in commercial/industrial | — | — | — | On private property, not in sight triangle at intersections. | — | Article 21, Sec 5.12 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (General) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per property | On the property or as otherwise allowed per commercial district rules. | — | Article 21, Sec 10 |
| Billboard Sign (Receiving Areas) | 50 ft. (Interstate corridors); 25 ft. elsewhere | 675 sq. ft. per face | — | Not closer than 100 ft to entrance/exit ramp on I-95 | — | In specified commercial/industrial properties along I-95 or Route 460. | — | Article 21, Sec 14 |

## Prohibited signs in Petersburg

- Signs which by reason of their location, position, size, shape, color, design or means of illumination may be construed as or confused with, or may interfere with, obstruct or obscure the view of all or any portion of a traffic control sign, signal, or device.
- Signs which imitate an official sign or signal or which contain the words 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' 'yield,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning' or similar words which imply any official warning or command or which may imply the need for special actions on the part of any vehicle operator or pedestrian.
- Any flashing sign.
- Signs which contain or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings of light bulbs, or other similar moving devices. (Exception for certain districts as noted.)
- Any sign or means of sign illumination which causes glare into or upon any building other than the building to which the sign may be related.
- Any sign affixed to, hung, placed, or painted on any other sign, cliff, tree, public utility pole, radio or television or similar tower, except official city signs.
- All portable or nonstructural signs except for sandwich board signs, which are further regulated.
- Roof signs.
- Signs advertising activities which are illegal under federal, state, or city laws or regulations.
- General advertising signs, except billboard signs as otherwise provided.
- No sign shall project over public right-of-way without express written permission of the city manager, except permitted flat signs projecting not more than six inches.
- No sign shall be hung, kept in place, maintained or erected over any public right-of-way without requisite liability insurance or bonding.
- No sign lawfully erected or placed before the effective date of the applicable ordinance or amendment, and which is nonconforming, shall be enlarged, structurally altered, or reconstructed in any manner (except billboards as provided).
- No alteration or relocation of a billboard, or installation of changeable message sign technology on a billboard, shall occur without first securing appropriate demolition and building permits, and prior demolition of another structure if required.
- Signs are not allowed on public property or the public right-of-way except as specifically allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Petersburg

- One identification sign not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants or premises, or hours of operation.
- Signs identifying municipal or governmental buildings or buildings used for religious purposes, provided such signs are erected upon the building or land upon which such building is located and not exceed 25 feet in area.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature and in the interest of, erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of his public duty, such as directional signs, regulatory signs, warning signs, and informational signs.
- Temporary real estate signs which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which such signs are displayed, provided that advertisement display area does not exceed six square feet in residential districts or 16 square feet in commercial or industrial districts. Such signs shall not be illuminated and, if freestanding, shall not be more than six feet in height.
- Signs warning the public against trespassing, dangerous animals, swimming or the like, provided such signs do not exceed three square feet in area per sign.
- One sign, not more than one square foot in area and not illuminated, identifying a home occupation in any and all zoning districts.
- Not more than three construction signs, when placed at the construction site. Such signs shall not be illuminated, shall not exceed 16 square feet in area for each sign, and shall be removed within ten days following completion of construction.
- Signs designating entrances, exits or conditions of use for parking lots. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area for each sign.
- Commemorative plaques and historic markers recognized by the city.
- Yard or garage sale signs displayed on the premises of such sale, provided that such signs shall not exceed six square feet. No such sign is permitted elsewhere and if so displayed or placed, may be removed by the city.
- Temporary agricultural or seasonal signs that promote the sale of agricultural produce and that do not exceed 12 square feet per sign on the premises on which such signs are displayed, provided such signs are removed at the end of the sales season.
- Political campaign signs, including posters, banners, writings, pictures, paintings, lights, models, displays, emblems, notices, illustrations, insignias, symbols, and any other advertising devices, the purpose of which is to announce a referendum or the nomination or election of individuals seeking an elected public office, provided that the total area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet in a residential zone and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial zone. These signs shall be confined with private property and shall not encroach into the visibility triangle at street intersections.
- Sandwich board signs as defined and regulated within this article.
- Signs located within a building not visible beyond the boundaries of the parcel, except for illuminated signs within show windows.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, structurally alter, relocate, or replace any sign within the city, except as otherwise provided (see exemptions).
- A separate permit is required for each sign.
- A permit application must be submitted with a plan showing sign dimensions, area, height above grade, proposed location, sight lines, method of illumination, method of fastening, and owner/installer contact. Written property owner permission is required.
- Signs erected in local historic districts require a certificate of appropriateness from the architectural review board; the architectural review board may further regulate sign area, height, placement, materials, color, lighting, graphics, lettering, or architectural styling, provided ordinance area and height limitations are not exceeded. (Sandwich board signs are exempted from this ARB review).
- For signs involving structural work or work over the public right-of-way, additional liability insurance or bonding is required before the sign may be hung or erected.
- Application for installation of changeable message sign technology, billboard relocation, and similar operations must be made to and approved by the zoning administrator, and may require prior demolition permitting and evidence of completion.
- For site plan approvals (see Article 38), the required information includes the location of existing and proposed freestanding signs on the parcel. For developments and uses requiring a site plan, submittal of signage plans is part of the administrative review for approval.
- For Planned Unit Developments (PUD), preliminary development plans must include proposed locations and dimensions of commercial signage.
- Design and installation of signs in local historic districts are subject to further regulation as detailed in Article 35 and must comply with any adopted guidelines or requirements of the architectural review board.

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

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