# Sign Regulations in Roanoke, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Roanoke, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/roanoke
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Roanoke/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COCI_CH27.1SISIPROVRI-WPR)

## At a glance

Roanoke, Virginia regulates 11 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-Frame), Window Sign, Temporary Sign, Changeable Copy and Electronic Readerboard, Public Service Message Boards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Varies by type (see description) tall, Sandwich Board: 4 ft high x 2.5 ft wide; Window: up to 50% of window area; Temp.: 32 sq ft, 6 ft high; Readerboard: max 25 sq ft (except outdoor advertising); Public Service: 450 sq ft max (see below), and Sandwich Board: 2.5 ft; Window: 50% of window width wide, with a See type; most signs required to be outside sight distance triangle, not in ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 36.2-661(c), 663, 666, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674; Table 668-1). Most commercial signs in Roanoke require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RA Agricultural District, R-12 Residential District, R-7 Residential District, R-5 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, RM-1 Residential District | 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| RM-2 Residential District, RMF Residential District | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per structure | — |
| MX Mixed Use District, CN Commercial-Neighborhood District, IN Institutional District, ROS Recreation and Open Space District, UF Urban Flex District | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per structure | — |
| CG Commercial-General District | 3 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| CLS Commercial-Large Site District | 3 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| D Downtown District, UC Urban Center District | 3 | 6 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2), Airport Development District (AD) | 2 | 16 ft | 125 sq ft per structure | — |
| Mixed Use Planned Unit Development District (MXPUD), Institutional Planned Unit Development District (INPUD), Industrial Planned Unit Development District (IPUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Comprehensive Sign Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Downtown Overlay District (H-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Neighborhood Overlay District (H-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Neighborhood Design Overlay District (ND) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (F) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport Navigation Overlay District (AN) | 1 | — | — | — |
| River and Creek Corridors Overlay District (RCC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft max in CG, D (+10% embellishments); 672 sq ft in I-1, I-2 (+10%) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### CG Commercial-General District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per structure | — | — | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1 |
| Building-mounted Sign | — | — | — | — | No maximum | On building | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1; Sec. 36.2-677 |
| Upper-story Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | No maximum specified | Above 25 ft on building façade | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1; Sec. 36.2-672 |

### CLS Commercial-Large Site District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 4 per lot | 1 for first 200 lf frontage; plus 1 additional for each 200 lf, up to 4 signs | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1 |
| Building-mounted Sign | — | — | — | — | No maximum | On building | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1 |
| Upper-story Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | No maximum | Above 25 ft | — | Sec. 36.2-668, Table 668-1; Sec. 36.2-672 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-Frame), Window Sign, Temporary Sign, Changeable Copy and Electronic Readerboard, Public Service Message Board | Varies by type (see description) | Sandwich Board: 4 ft high x 2.5 ft wide; Window: up to 50% of window area; Temp.: 32 sq ft, 6 ft high; Readerboard: max 25 sq ft (except outdoor advertising); Public Service: 450 sq ft max (see below) | Sandwich Board: 2.5 ft; Window: 50% of window width | See type; most signs required to be outside sight distance triangle, not in ROW | Varies by type and district | See respective section for placement | — | Sec. 36.2-661(c), 663, 666, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674; Table 668-1 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 300 sq ft max in CG, D (+10% embellishments); 672 sq ft in I-1, I-2 (+10%) | — | Yard as per underlying district; see code | Controlled by spacing rules | Subject to district & spacing | — | Sec. 36.2-675 |

## Prohibited signs in Roanoke

- Animated signs including feather signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Flashing signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except that theatre marquees are exempt from this prohibition.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except as allowed as a temporary sign.
- Laser light or image projection signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except as a temporary sign.
- Off-site directional signs are prohibited, except for specific off-site directional real estate signs.
- Pennants or streamers are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except for sandwich board signs as expressly permitted.
- Projecting signs with their lowest portions above 25 feet above adjacent ground level are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except for certain historic signs allowed in the H-1 District.
- Searchlight or beacon signs are prohibited, except as a temporary sign.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Any sign located within or over a public right-of-way, or public property, except for government signs or authorized encroachments, is prohibited.
- Any sign that contains beacons of light resembling or simulating any emergency service vehicle or equipment is prohibited.
- Any sign using traffic symbols or colors of red, amber, and green in such combination of shape or color as to be confused with traffic control devices is prohibited.
- Any sign attached partially or wholly to the pitched or flat roof of a building, or any sign projecting horizontally or vertically beyond any part of the building to which it is attached, is prohibited.
- Any sign that produces sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or vapor is prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect, install, structurally alter, modify, relocate, or replace any sign or sign structure, except those specifically exempted, without obtaining a zoning permit.
- No sign (unless otherwise specifically provided) shall be placed within the public right-of-way or within any sight distance triangle.
- Signs shall not be displayed in excess of permitted number, size, height, or area by zoning district and sign type.
- General outdoor storage of goods, items, materials, or merchandise is not permitted unless specifically allowed as an accessory use.
- No sign shall shine directly into abutting residential dwelling units, adjacent lots, or streets so that the source of illumination is visible at the property line.
- No part of any awning or canopy containing a sign shall extend above the height of the bottom sill of any second story window of the building façade to which it is attached.
- Window signs exceeding 50% of the window area are prohibited.
- Maximum allowed temporary sign duration, height, and area limits apply.
- Permanent signs must not be constructed, altered, used, occupied, or located except in conformity with the ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Roanoke

- The following sign types are exempt from sign regulations and permit requirements, provided they are not within the public right-of-way or sight distance triangle (unless otherwise noted): decorative home flags or national, state, or other governmental flags and insignias.
- Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected by a government body or required by law.
- Decorative banners attached to light poles, secured at top and bottom, and bearing no advertising or commercial images.
- Directional signs not exceeding 4 square feet in area and 4 feet in height for freestanding directional signs.
- Signs displaying only the word 'open' or 'closed,' or hours of operation, not exceeding one per lot and 4 square feet in area.
- Commemorative plaques, historical markers, and signs with historical value or significance, erected by a government body and not exceeding 15 square feet.
- Nameplates not exceeding 2 square feet in area.
- Neighborhood identification signs displaying only the neighborhood name, not exceeding 15 square feet.
- Address signs not exceeding 4 square feet in area.
- Murals.
- Temporary signs not exceeding 12 square feet in cumulative sign area in a residential district.
- Temporary real estate signs advertising for sale/rent/lease of on-site property, limited in area and frequency by zoning district.
- Temporary off-site directional real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet and with written owner permission.
- Memorial plaques.
- Temporary safety signs on temporary structures, fences, and barricades for construction safety.
- Construction signs on property where construction is underway/proposed, limited to one per frontage and size by zoning district.
- Signs associated with outdoor recreational facilities, amphitheaters, or stadiums, where not legible from the public right-of-way.
- A single sandwich board or 'A' frame sign per storefront in multiple purpose districts.
- Window covers placed inside vacant storefront windows to shield the interior from view.
- Outdoor lighting exemptions: Illuminated signs (subject to section 36.2-666); landscape lighting 2 feet or less in height; accent directional lighting; security lighting controlled by motion sensors with no more than 15 minutes duration; outdoor recreation facility or sports stadium lighting; temporary/holiday/emergency lighting; lighting of US/VA flags and noncommercial flags; submerged pool lighting; code-required lighting for egress; and FAA-required lighting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the Comprehensive Sign Overlay District, approval of a comprehensive signage plan is required. The Overlay District may be established by zoning map amendment, and all applications must include a written comprehensive signage plan detailing the type, quantity, size, shape, color, material, and location of all existing and proposed signs within the property. The plan must include illustrations and comply with compatibility standards.
- In the H-1 and H-2 Historic Overlay Districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for new signs or modification of signs as part of design review.
- Any application for a zoning permit for a sign in the H-1 or H-2 districts must be accompanied by a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Architectural Review Board.
- A basic development plan or comprehensive development plan must include delineation and compliance of signage with zoning regulations as appropriate to site development.
- All zoning permit applications for outdoor advertising signs must be accompanied by a basic development plan and meet State requirements before a permit is issued.
- Within Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts, signage regulations not specified on the PUD development plan default to the CG district standards. Therefore, a master sign plan may be required if sign standards are to differ from the CG baseline.
- Signage plan approval is required for the establishment of a Comprehensive Sign Overlay District and such a district is allowed only after detailed review by the Planning Commission and City Council per procedural requirements.
- If requesting to allocate unused freestanding sign area to building-mounted signs, a written request must be submitted as part of the sign plan and approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Any sign to be placed on, or project over, a public right-of-way requires compliance with additional municipal code provisions regarding encroachments, insurance, and hold-harmless agreements.
- All applications for wireless telecommunications towers, broadcasting towers, or other wireless facilities requiring a special exception, must include facility design, alternative site analysis, and development plan showing the location and details of signage, where applicable.

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

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