# Sign Regulations in Rocky Mount, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rocky Mount, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/rocky-mount
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Rocky_Mount/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXAZO_ART8SIRE)

## At a glance

Rocky Mount, Virginia regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the GB zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 40 ft from centerline ROW or 15 ft from property line, whichever is greater. Signs advertising sale/rent exempt, may be within 2 ft. setback (Sec. 8-14(C)(4),(9)). Most commercial signs in Rocky Mount require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, RPUD, RB, POS | 9 | 5 ft | 60 sq ft total at one time (per use/business); 36 sq ft max for real estate/construction | — |
| C-1, C-2 | 5 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft per business | — |
| GB | 6 | 25 ft | 500 sq ft per business | — |
| CBD | 8 | 8 ft | 60 sq ft per business | — |
| M-1, M-2 | 6 | 25 ft | 500 sq ft per business/use | — |
| Shopping Centers | 1 | — | C-1/C-2: 125 sq ft; GB/M-1/M-2: 300 sq ft; CBD: 60 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 24 sq ft per face (single sign) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, RPUD, RB, POS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign | — | 2 permanent signs per lot | — | — | 2 | Per lot in residential zoning districts | — | 8-14(A)(1), (9) |
| Directional Sign | — | 5 sq ft per sign | — | — | 3 | Per lot, for directional purposes. | — | 8-14(A)(1), 8-4(5), 8-14(A)(7), (9) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Residential Development) | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 per development | At principal entrance(s) to residential development | — | 8-14(A)(2), (9) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Public Recreation Area) | — | max 36 sq ft per sign; max combined area 50 sq ft | — | — | 3 | Public parks, recreation areas | — | 8-14(A)(3), (9) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Use) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Per lot | — | 8-14(A)(4), (9) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Setback) | — | — | — | 40 ft from centerline of ROW or 15 ft from property line, whichever greater. Sale/rent signs may be within 2 ft. | — | — | — | 8-14(A)(5), (9) |
| Historic Site Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(A)(6), (9) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 sq ft total at one time (per use/business); 36 sq ft max for real estate/construction | — | 5 ft from ROW (general); 15 ft from ROW for real estate/construction | 2 (general temp); 1 for real estate/construction | Min 5 ft setbacks from ROW | — | 8-14(A)(7); 8-8 |

### GB

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign | — | 500 sq ft per business | — | — | 5 per lot | Per lot | — | 8-14(C)(1),(2),(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 40 ft from centerline ROW or 15 ft from property line, whichever is greater. Signs advertising sale/rent exempt, may be within 2 ft. | See above | Per lot | — | 8-14(C)(4),(9) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Identification Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | One per shopping center development | — | 8-14(C)(3) |
| Identification Sign | — | Same as business signs | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(C)(6) |
| Historic Site Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(C)(7) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 sq ft total at one time (per use); 96 sq ft for real estate/construction | — | General: 5 ft from ROW; 15 ft for real estate/construction | 2 (general temp); 1 real estate/construction | 5 ft from ROW; 15 ft for real estate/construction | — | 8-14(C)(8); 8-8 |

### CBD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign | — | 60 sq ft per business | — | — | 3 per lot | Per lot | — | 8-14(D)(1),(2),(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft (except residential areas of CBD: 2 sq ft) | — | 5 ft from front property line; sale/rental signs exempt and may be within 2 ft. | — | Per lot | — | 8-14(D)(4),(9),(10) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Identification Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | One per shopping center | — | 8-14(D)(3) |
| Identification Sign | — | Same as business signs | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(D)(6) |
| Historic Site Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(D)(7) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 sq ft total at once (per use); 96 sq ft real estate/construction | — | 5 ft from ROW; 15 ft for real estate/construction | 2 (general); 1 for real estate/construction | 5 ft from ROW; real estate/construction: 15 ft from ROW | — | 8-14(D)(8); 8-8 |
| Freestanding Sign (Small Lot Reduction) | — | Total area of freestanding sign reduced by 1% for each ft less than 100 ft lot width | — | — | — | Lots less than 100 ft wide | — | 8-14(D)(10) |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8-14(D)(11) |

## Prohibited signs in Rocky Mount

- Any sign that due to its size, location, color, or illumination obscures a sign displayed by a public authority for the purpose of giving traffic or safety instructions or directions.
- Any sign, except an official public notice, which is nailed, tacked, posted, or in any other manner attached to any utility pole, or structure-supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or to public property of any description.
- Any sign located within a public right-of-way, except for signs displayed by a duly constituted governmental authority, signs provided for in section 8-9 (Banners Over the Public Right-of-Way) and portable signs in the central business district.
- Flashing or revolving lights, or beacons intended to direct attention to a location, building, or service, or any similar device otherwise displayed that imitates by its design or use, emergency service vehicles or equipment.
- Any sign that simulates an official traffic sign or signal, and which contains the words 'STOP,' 'GO,' 'SLOW,' 'CAUTION,' 'DANGER,' 'WARNING' or similar words.
- Any sign or portion thereof that rotates, or otherwise moves through the use of electrical or wind power. This prohibition does not include time, temperature and date signs and traditional barber poles.
- Signs advertising activities or products that are illegal under federal, state or county/town law.
- Any sign that obstructs any building, door, window or other means of ingress and egress, or interferes with an opening required for ventilation.
- Any electrical sign that does not display the UL, ETL, CSA or ULC label, unless such sign is constructed, installed, and inspected in accordance with section 8-8 (Temporary Signs).
- Signs or sign structures that are erected on, or extend over, a piece of property without the expressed written permission of the property owner or the owner's agent.
- Any sign that due to its size, location or height obstructs the vision of motorists or pedestrians at any intersection, or similarly obstructs the vision of motorists entering a public right-of-way from private property.
- Permanent large floating or stationary balloons.
- Portable mounted trailer signs are strictly prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Off-premises signs. (Except for governmental signs located in town rights-of-way in accordance with section 8-4(1).)
- A sign or illumination that causes any glare into or upon any building or land other than the building and land to which the sign is accessory.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rocky Mount

- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, such as, but not limited to, traffic, warning, directional, street, regulatory signs or governmental signs which are directly related to the health, safety, convenience or welfare of the community. Hospital emergency signs are also exempt under this section.
- Any sign with an area of two square feet or less, giving only the name of the premises, occupant, and/or street address.
- Signs which are subject to the regulations of the Virginia Department of Transportation and which are placed in the public rights-of-way or on town owned property by the town.
- Signs on the inside of establishments, except those signs specified in section 8-5 (Prohibited Signs).
- Memorial tablets or signs, provided they are displayed by a public or quasi-public agency.
- Directional signs provided that each sign does not exceed five square feet per sign and no such sign shall contain any advertising matter.
- Non-illuminated signs warning trespassers or announcing property as posted.
- Signs displayed on a truck, bus or other vehicle.
- Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial purposes.
- On-premises real estate signs in residential or agricultural districts not exceeding five square feet in area, or on-premises real estate signs in commercial or industrial zoning districts not exceeding 16 square feet in area.
- Clocks that display time and temperature through the use of mechanical means or the controlled display of lights, provided these devices do not display any other message.
- Political campaign signs provided that they are located outside the public right-of-way and are removed within seven days after the campaign.
- Signs displayed between Thanksgiving and Christmas associated with the sale of Christmas trees and wreaths not exceeding 36 square feet.
- Signs that are displayed by or promote civic, religious, educational or charitable organizations or causes provided such signs are displayed no longer than 30 days per calendar year.
- Yard sale signs and the like, provided that such signs shall not be attached in any way to utility poles, meter posts or trees within any public right-of-way. No person shall put up any notice upon any building, wall, fence or other property of another person without having first obtained the consent of the owner of such property. The maximum time limit for display of such signs shall be three consecutive days.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or grounds, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or apparently moving light or advertising in any form.
- Signs that would not be legible from a public right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit shall include a sketch of the property indicating the square footage of all existing signs of the property, and the area, size, structure, design, location, lighting, and materials for the proposed signs. In addition, the administrator may require that the application contain any other information that is necessary to ensure compliance with, or effectively administer, these regulations.
- More than one sign on one building or group of buildings located on the same parcel of land may be included on one application provided that all such signs are applied for at one time.
- For awning signs, the zoning administrator may refer awning designs to the Town of Rocky Mount Planning Commission for review.
- A special use permit is required for all new mural signs.
- Requests for variances to these sign regulations shall follow the procedures outlined in article 11 of the zoning ordinance and be reviewed by the board of zoning appeals.

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

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