# Sign Regulations in Scottsville, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Scottsville, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/scottsville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Scottsville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTIIIDIRE_CH11CODIC_S11.5SIREAM5-21-2001)

## At a glance

Scottsville, Virginia regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Real Estate Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 42 in. tall and 800 sq. in., with a 5 ft min from street; window sign allowed. setback (Sec. 4.14.4.k). Most commercial signs in Scottsville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 42 in. | 800 sq. in. | — |
| Historic Overlay District (H) | 5 | 9 ft (overall, including support) | 33% of total side surface area | — |
| Commercial districts (within the historic overlay district) | 5 | 9 ft (overall, including support) | 33% of total side surface area | — |
| Commercial districts (not in historic overlay district) | 4 | 12 ft at top of sign | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential districts | 2 | — | 6 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and/or Address Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. (per residence on shared driveway) | — | — | — | Attached to residence or at drive entrance. | — | 4.14.4.a |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On-premises. | — | 4.14.4.c |
| Security and Warning Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On private property. | — | 4.14.4.f |
| Real Estate Sign | 42 in. | 800 sq. in. | — | 5 ft min from street; window sign allowed. | 1 (historic district), up to 2 (outside historic district, per road frontage) | On-site property for sale/lease/rent. | — | 4.14.4.k |
| Temporary Directional Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per event | Off-site as allowed (not in residential district, except for yard sale directionals – see also garage/yard sales below). | — | 4.14.4.b, .l, .q |
| Commemorative/Memorial Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building or premises. | — | 4.14.4.h |
| Construction Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On construction site. | — | 4.14.4.n |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On properly zoned agricultural property. | — | 4.14.4.p |

### Historic Overlay District (H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 9 ft (overall, including support) | 16 sq. ft. (proportionally reduced if frontage < 100 ft) | — | 5 ft from property line or easement. | 1 per highway right-of-way frontage | 5 ft min from property line or easement; on-site, per highway right-of-way frontage. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom of sign at least 7 ft, not more than 12 ft from ground. | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per highway right-of-way frontage | Building facade facing highway right-of-way. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1; 4.14.8.1.e |
| Wall Sign (Includes Window) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Building wall/window fronting highway right-of-way. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1; 4.14.9.2 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 33% of total side surface area | — | — | 1 per canopy, 1 per side surface | On canopy. | — | 4.14.8.1.d |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning. | — | 4.14.8.1.e |

### Commercial districts (within the historic overlay district)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 9 ft (overall, including support) | 16 sq. ft. (proportionally reduced if frontage < 100 ft) | — | 5 ft from property line or easement. | 1 per highway right-of-way frontage | 5 ft min from property line or easement; on-site, per highway right-of-way frontage. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom of sign at least 7 ft, not more than 12 ft from ground. | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per highway right-of-way frontage | Building facade facing highway right-of-way. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1; 4.14.8.1.e |
| Wall Sign (Includes Window) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Building wall/window fronting highway right-of-way. | — | 4.14.8.1.b/Table 1; 4.14.9.2 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 33% of total side surface area | — | — | 1 per canopy, 1 per side surface | On canopy. | — | 4.14.8.1.d |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning. | — | 4.14.8.1.e |

## Prohibited signs in Scottsville

- No person shall erect or cause to be erected nor shall significantly alter, replace or relocate any sign, except those exempt from a permit, unless and until a permit has been issued by the zoning administrator.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or maintain a sign that is not expressly permitted by this ordinance.
- Any sign that violates any provision of the law of Virginia relating to outdoor advertising is prohibited.
- Any sign that violates federal law regarding outdoor advertising is prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free or clear vision, or otherwise interferes with or causes hazards for vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic because of location, shape, illumination or color is prohibited.
- Any sign that imitates an official traffic sign or signal, or conflicts with traffic safety needs due to location, color, movement, shape or illumination is prohibited.
- Any illuminated sign that casts a distracting glare, directly or indirectly, on any public roadway, or on adjacent property within a residential district; any sign or part thereof outlined with light; or any sign that contains or consists of a searchlight, beacon, strobe light or the like is prohibited.
- Animated signs or any sign that moves, flashes, blinks or changes color; or signs with pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or similar moving devices; or a banner (except as permitted temporary event sign) are prohibited.
- Moored balloons or other tethered signs floating above the eave of the adjoining building or 20 feet, whichever is lower, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a tree, natural feature, or structure located on public land or to a utility pole, except as placed by a public agency, are prohibited.
- Any sound-producing sign intended to attract attention is prohibited.
- Any sign constructed on or over the roof of a building is prohibited.
- Any off-site sign, including billboards, that advertises or directs traffic to any activity, business, product or service not conducted, produced or sold on the premises, except as otherwise specifically allowed, is prohibited.
- Any sign that is not adequately maintained; is abandoned or otherwise advertises a discontinued use; or is unsafe is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed for temporary use or for portable blackboard signs.
- Any sign, other than a temporary sign, that displays a commercial logo, identifier, or company emblem other than that of the establishment being advertised is prohibited.
- Any sign that fails to meet minimum conditions required for a permitted sign elsewhere in this ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs with characteristics prohibited in section 4.14.5 are prohibited within the town.

## Signs exempt from permit in Scottsville

- Name and/or address signs of resident, estate or farm (no commercial identification, not exceeding two square feet).
- Temporary off-site directional signs advertising an event or activity (not in residential districts, meeting specific conditions).
- Incidental signs with a purpose secondary to the use of the lot (e.g., no parking, entrance), not exceeding two square feet and without off-site commercial message.
- Public signs, temporary or permanent, erected and maintained by a government or authority, and temporary legal notice and emergency signs.
- Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.
- Security and warning signs (e.g., no hunting, no trespassing), not exceeding two square feet.
- Signs within an establishment and not attached to or immediately adjoining a window visible to the public.
- Commemorative plaques, monumental inscriptions, and similar, not exceeding four square feet.
- Special decorative displays and lighting for holidays, public events, or nonpartisan civic purposes, removed within two days of the event.
- Political signs for a candidate or issue, not illuminated, within four square feet, with erection and removal timing limits.
- Real estate signs advertising property for sale, lease, or rent, erected on-site, within area and quantity restrictions and removed promptly after transaction.
- Temporary off-site open house signs (max two per open house, two square feet each, only on the day of the open house, with responsible person's information).
- Auction signs to advertise on-site auction, not exceeding four square feet, removed within two days after the auction.
- Construction signs (max one per lot, up to eight square feet, removed within two days of occupancy certificate).
- Private drive signs, one per entrance, not exceeding one square foot, limited to 'private drive'.
- Farm products signs on-site on property properly zoned for such use, not exceeding eight square feet.
- Off-site directional signs to garage/yard sales (no more than one square foot, no more than two signs, marked, erected for no more than seven days and removed within two days after the event).
- Professional and home occupation nameplates, wall-mounted, not exceeding one square foot.
- Promotional posters, notices and flyers on designated bulletin boards or windows/doors in commercial districts (not more than 30% of window, no more than 30 days, promptly removed after event).
- House and building numbers showing assigned street address, in conformance with municipal regulations.
- Menu signs adjoining entrance of a restaurant in a commercial district, up to four square feet.
- Signs painted on or attached to outfield fence of any baseball park.
- On-site church ID signs and bulletin boards (one per abutting street, up to 16 square feet per sign).
- Portable blackboards or sandwich boards in commercial district (one per business, up to 16 square feet, up to five feet in height, not left out after business hours).
- Flags or pennants of governmental or nonprofit organizations not used for commercial promotion or as advertising device.
- Decorative flags without commercial promotion/advertising, limited to one per business, max 15 square feet.
- Integral decorative or architectural building features, or works of art, as long as no letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights.
- 'Open' signs, internally lighted or non-illuminated, max area 1.5 square feet, only within commercial establishments in a commercial district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No mention is made in this section of a general requirement for a master sign plan or sitewide sign plan for all sign applications; each sign permit requires a sketch showing content, location, dimensions, and materials, but not a full sign plan for an entire property or project.
- Site development plan and subdivision plat approvals may include consideration of signs as part of broader site design in relation to other required elements, especially in shopping centers (see 4.14.8.2.b) and developments in overlay districts, but there is no explicit general master sign plan requirement.
- Within the Historic Overlay District, sign permit applications are referred to the architectural review board for standards of appearance, but this is not described as a master or overall sign plan requirement.
- Applications for certain uses (e.g., wayside stands, temporary nonprofit events) require submission of preliminary site development plans showing access, parking and circulation (which may include proposed signage), but this is use-based, not a general sign plan requirement.
- Aggregate signage calculations for multi-tenant buildings/shopping centers are referenced, and a collective freestanding sign is allowed for shopping centers, which implies a coordinated signage approach, but does not mandate a separate sign plan document.

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

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