# Sign Regulations in Waynesboro, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waynesboro, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/waynesboro
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Waynesboro/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH70STSIOTPUPL_ARTIINGE_S70-25DERESTSIFIHYMO)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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). | — | 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). | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Projecting Sign. |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business. | On premises; must not obstruct traffic. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Portable Sign. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall/establishment. | Suspended from underside of horizontal surface. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Suspended Sign. |
| Subdivision or Housing Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance to residential subdivision/housing dev. | — | 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 | 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). | — | 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). | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Sandwich Sign. |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business. | On premises; must not obstruct traffic. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Portable Sign. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall/establishment. | Suspended from underside of horizontal surface. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.6.C Suspended Sign. |
| Subdivision or Housing Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance to residential subdivision/housing dev. | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign (Permit-exempt) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property. | On property with active building permit. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Flag (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 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. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Minor Sign (Permit-exempt) (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 3 per lot. | On lot. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Minor Sign (Permit-exempt) (Nonresidential) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 3 per lot. | On lot. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Governmental Sign (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | On governmental site or as traffic/control/informational signage. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |
| Public Art (Permit-exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Streetscape, walls etc. | — | Sec. 98-5.6.5 table. |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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