Sign Regulations in Waynesboro, Virginia
Waynesboro, Virginia has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Aggregate Sign Area, Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Waynesboro, Virginia
Sample Sign Requirements in Waynesboro
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate Sign Area | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign | — | 400 sq ft (regular); 440 sq ft (setback >250 ft) | — |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole) | 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) | 60 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
21
- Aggregate Sign Area
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole)
- Sandwich Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Waynesboro
Other Cities in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
In Waynesboro, monument signs are limited to 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Waynesboro, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Waynesboro, regulated sign types include Aggregate Sign Area, Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole), Sandwich Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Waynesboro vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Waynesboro are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Waynesboro has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Waynesboro, Virginia Sign Rules at a Glance
Waynesboro, Virginia regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole)s in the L-B, MX-B, C-B zoning district are capped at 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) tall and 60 sq ft (Sec. Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Freestanding Sign.). Most commercial signs in Waynesboro require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Waynesboro, Virginia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Waynesboro (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-12, RS-7 | 1 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| RS-5 | 1 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| RG-5, R-MX, R-MF, R-O | 1 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| L-B, MX-B, C-B | 12 | 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) | 400 sq ft (regular); 440 sq ft (setback >250 ft) | — |
| H-B, L-I, H-I | 12 | 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) | 400 sq ft (regular); 440 sq ft (setback >250 ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Waynesboro(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
L-B, MX-B, C-B
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 400 sq ft (regular); 440 sq ft (setback >250 ft) | — | — | Max 2 per major street frontage; additional per additional frontage per 98-5.6.4. | On building wall, extends not more than 15 in. from wall (Sec. 98-5.6.6). | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Wall Sign. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole) | 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) | 60 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per major street frontage; additional per additional frontage (Sec. 98-5.6.4). | On premises of business/use; within required landscaped area at base (50 sq ft min, vegetative). | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Freestanding Sign. |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 ft | — | 2.5 ft | — | 1 per establishment. | On sidewalk, no further than 15 ft from establishment door; 36 in. pedestrian clear width must be maintained. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Sandwich Sign. |
| Marquee Sign (H-B and C-B only) | 7 ft 6 in clearance over sidewalk | 300 sq ft (message area); total vertical (marquee+sign) 5 ft max | — | — | 1 per establishment. | Projecting over entrance; on marquee structure. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Marquee Sign. |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | — | 36 in (from structure) | — | — | Attached to building, extends >15 in but ≤36 in from wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Projecting Sign. |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business. | On premises; must not obstruct traffic. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Portable Sign. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall/establishment. | Suspended from underside of horizontal surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Suspended Sign. |
| Subdivision or Housing Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance to residential subdivision/housing dev. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Subdivision/Housing Sign. |
H-B, L-I, H-I
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 400 sq ft (regular); 440 sq ft (setback >250 ft) | — | — | Max 2 per major street frontage; additional per additional frontage per 98-5.6.4. | On building wall, extends not more than 15 in. from wall (Sec. 98-5.6.6). | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Wall Sign. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument and Pole) | 25 ft (pole); 8 ft (monument) | 60 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per major street frontage; additional per additional frontage (Sec. 98-5.6.4). | On premises of business/use; within required landscaped area at base (50 sq ft min, vegetative). | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Freestanding Sign. |
| Marquee Sign (H-B only) | 7 ft 6 in clearance over sidewalk | 300 sq ft (message area); total vertical (marquee+sign) 5 ft max. | — | — | 1 per establishment. | Projecting over entrance; on marquee structure. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Marquee Sign. |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | — | 36 in (from structure) | — | — | Attached to building, extends >15 in but ≤36 in from wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Projecting Sign. |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 ft | — | 2.5 ft | — | 1 per establishment. | On sidewalk, no further than 15 ft from establishment door; 36 in. pedestrian clear width must be maintained. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Sandwich Sign. |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business. | On premises; must not obstruct traffic. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Portable Sign. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall/establishment. | Suspended from underside of horizontal surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Suspended Sign. |
| Subdivision or Housing Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance to residential subdivision/housing dev. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Subdivision/Housing Sign. |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Sign (Permit-exempt) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property. | On property with active building permit. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Flag (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table; Sec. 98-5.6.7.F. |
| Sign on VLR and NRHP Property (Permit-exempt) | — | 15 sq ft; wall signs 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property. | On property on registry. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Minor Sign (Permit-exempt) (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 3 per lot. | On lot. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Minor Sign (Permit-exempt) (Nonresidential) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 3 per lot. | On lot. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Real Estate Sign (Permit-exempt) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property. | On property for sale/rent/lease. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Governmental Sign (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | On governmental site or as traffic/control/informational signage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Public Art (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Streetscape, walls etc. | — | Unlock | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Waynesboro — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Waynesboro — start freeProhibited Signs in Waynesboro
- Any sign other than a governmental sign affixed to, hung, placed or painted on any fence, cliff, tree, public utility pole, radio or television or similar tower is prohibited.
- Off-premises advertising on public and private property is prohibited, except for sandwich board signs as allowed.
- Roof signs or signs erected, constructed, and maintained above the roof of the building are prohibited.
- Signs within or across a public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Any sign attached to, rather than printed on, an awning which is not a marquee is prohibited.
- Any flashing or moving sign is prohibited.
- Any sign which imitates an official traffic sign or signal, or conflicts with traffic safety needs due to its location, coloring, movement, shape or illumination is prohibited.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to obstruct free or clear vision, or cause hazards for vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic by reason of location, shape, illumination, color, or height.
- No sign shall be erected, replaced or relocated so as to prevent free ingress or egress from a required door, window or fire escape, or obstruct the light or ventilation required by the provisions of this Chapter or other City ordinances from any window.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs may not overhang or project in a public right-of-way except for signs on buildings abutting the public right-of-way and located in such proximity as to render compliance with this section impossible.
Exempt Signs in Waynesboro
- Construction signs: One sign on any property with an active building permit, not exceeding 32 square feet. No permit required.
- Flags: Flags are allowed in all districts. No permit required.
- Signs on Virginia Landmarks Register or National Register of Historic Places property: One sign per property with specified size and material limits. No permit required.
- Minor signs: Up to three minor signs per lot (including temporary signs), with size and height limits depending on district. No permit required.
- Public art: Street graphics, murals, sculptures and similar art forms. No permit required.
- Real estate signs: One sign per property for sale, rent, or lease, not exceeding six square feet and four feet in height. No permit required.
- Governmental signs: Any sign erected by the City or a public officer in performance of official duties (including traffic, municipal, legal notice, directional or informational signs, railroad crossing signs, danger, safety, temporary or emergency signs). No permit required.
- No signs allowed under this exemption section may be illuminated.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Waynesboro
- A common signage plan is required for all buildings, businesses, or uses within a related complex (as evidenced by a concept plan or site plan), even if the properties are subdivided.
- The common signage plan shall include all signs within the complex, including outparcels.
- Common signage plans are subject to the sign permit requirements.
- Common signage plans must address location, materials and illumination, size, letter style, and colors for all signs within a complex; and must specify permitted free-standing and wall signs.
- Sign permits are required for all signs except those listed as allowed without a permit in Sec. 98-5.6.5.
- A sign permit may be refused if costs assessed for removal of noncompliant signs are unpaid.
- Conditional use permits may authorize signs not otherwise allowed, following the process described in Sec. 98-7.6.
- All signs must comply with site plan and building code requirements as applicable.
Source: municode municipal code