# Sign Regulations in Windsor, Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Windsor, Virginia (VA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/virginia/windsor
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/VA/Windsor/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIGELE_CH152YAOTSA_S152-3SI)

## At a glance

Windsor, Virginia regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Accessory Signs in the B-1 General Business, B-2 Restricted Business, P Public, M-1 General Industrial zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and 100 square feet per business, with a Not less than 5 feet from front property line setback (Sec. Sec. 160-58(g)). Most commercial signs in Windsor 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 | 17 | — | 100 square feet | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential, LDR Low-Density Residential, MHP Manufactured Home Park, HDR High Density Residential District, O-R Office-Residential | 2 | — | 9 square feet | — |
| B-1 General Business, B-2 Restricted Business, P Public, M-1 General Industrial | 4 | 20 feet (portion above 20 feet: max 40 square feet or 1/4 of wall area above 20 feet, whichever is greater; or if single business occupies entire multi-story building: max 100 square feet or 1/4 wall area, whichever greater.) | 150 square feet (per frontage) | — |
| A-1 General Agricultural | 2 | — | 90 square feet | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Event Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | 5 feet from highway | — | Must be set back at least 5 feet from fronting highway. | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(3)a |
| Real Estate Sign (Business Districts) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(3)b |
| Real Estate Sign (Industrial/Agricultural Districts) | — | 90 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(3)c |
| Subdivision Sale Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Within subdivision | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(4) |
| Public or Semipublic Facility Name Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per facility | On premises | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(8) |
| Construction Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 160-58(c)(9) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Monument Type) | — | 100 square feet | — | — | — | Main or approved entrance to subdivision | — | Sec. 160-58(d)(1) |

### R-1 Single-Family Residential, LDR Low-Density Residential, MHP Manufactured Home Park, HDR High Density Residential District, O-R Office-Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On residential structure | — | Sec. 160-58(e)(2) |
| Multi-Family Dwelling Identification Sign | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per multi-family property | On premises of property, for buildings with more than 6 units. | — | Sec. 160-58(e)(1) |

### B-1 General Business, B-2 Restricted Business, P Public, M-1 General Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet (portion above 20 feet: max 40 square feet or 1/4 of wall area above 20 feet, whichever is greater; or if single business occupies entire multi-story building: max 100 square feet or 1/4 wall area, whichever greater.) | — | — | Must not project beyond established setback line. | — | On wall of business; must be flat or at angle, not above roofline or parapet. | — | Sec. 160-58(f) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign | 12 feet | 100 square feet per business | — | Not less than 5 feet from front property line | 1 per business or industry | On premises of business or industry | — | Sec. 160-58(g) |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | 15 feet | 150 square feet (per frontage) | — | Minimum 10 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per center | Freestanding, min. 10 ft setback from public right-of-way | — | Sec. 160-58(h) |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At business/industry entrances, drive-through, parking. | — | Sec. 160-58(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Windsor

- No outdoor advertising, sign, or structure shall be erected without a sign permit.
- Failure to adhere to sign ordinance requirements automatically cancels such permit and said advertising sign or structure shall be removed forthwith.
- The light from any illuminated sign shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision or operations of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways or parking areas.
- No exposed reflective-type bulbs or incandescent lamps may be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such a manner that will cause offensive glare on adjacent property or create a traffic hazard.
- No sign shall project beyond the established setback line.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any road intersection or of the intersection of a road with a railroad grade crossing or impede the safe flow of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- Any sign erected or painted upon a fence, tree, fire escape, or utility pole is not permitted.
- Signs which use the words 'Stop' or 'Danger' prominently displayed which is a copy or imitation of official traffic control signs are not allowed.
- Signs which contain flashing lights or intermittent illumination of lights are not permitted.
- Any sign which is mobile and designed to distract the attention of passing motorists on any highways by means of appearance, noises, movable objects or flashing lights is not permitted.
- Non-accessory signs or billboards of 100 square feet or larger are not permitted.
- Permanent display of signs designed for temporary use such as pennants, banners, festoons, streamers, and all other fluttering, spinning or similar type signs and advertising devices is not permitted.
- Off-site signs are not permissible except as a conditional use permit.
- No sign which is not an integral part of the building design shall be fastened or supported by or on the roof of a building, and no projecting sign shall extend over or above the roofline or parapet wall of a building.
- All signs and sign structures shall be installed in a professional manner to ensure public safety and kept in repair, as well as in a proper state of preservation.
- Signs which are no longer functional, or are abandoned, shall be repaired, removed or relocated at the owner's expense in compliance with the provisions of this chapter within 30 days following the sign becoming too damaged to be utilized or abandoned.

## Signs exempt from permit in Windsor

- Official notices or signs posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of his or her official or directed duties, or by trustees under deeds of trust or deeds of assignment or other similar instruments, shall not exceed an area of eight square feet, shall not be illuminated and shall contain no advertising matter, other than that which may be required by law.
- Informational signs of a public or quasi-public nature identifying or locating civic, educational or cultural purposes, and signs drawing attention to public parking lots, restrooms, or to other public convenience relating to such places or activities shall not exceed an area of six square feet, shall not be illuminated, shall contain no advertising matter, and shall be set back not less than five feet from the fronting highway.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, rental, or lease of the land or building upon which signs are located, with area limits depending on district.
- One sign for each subdivision relating to the sale of property within said subdivision, provided that such sign shall be within said subdivision, shall not exceed 30 square feet in area, shall not be illuminated, shall be maintained at the subdivider's expense, and shall be removed by the subdivider when 90 percent of the lots in said subdivision are sold.
- Special one-time auction signs for real or personal property in estate or bankruptcy sales, limited to ten square feet and removed within one week from the date of the auction.
- Directional signs for public buildings, churches, parks and playgrounds, provided that such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.
- Professional name plates not exceeding two square feet in area and not illuminated.
- On the premises of public or semipublic facilities, one sign or bulletin board, not exceeding ten square feet in area, indicating the name of the institution or civic association.
- Signs located on the premises relating to active construction projects, not exceeding 50 square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets, including names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into masonry, bronze, or other materials.
- Traffic or other public signs or notices posted or erected by or at the direction of a governmental agency.
- Customary signs in conjunction with residential usage, such as mailbox lettering, names of residents, house number, names of farms and estates, and similar usage not exceeding eight square feet in area and not for a business on the property.
- Temporary signs and displays for political advertisements, provided they are removed within 14 days after the political event.
- Directional signs in residential neighborhoods for parks and playgrounds and other permitted nonresidential uses in residential neighborhoods, not to exceed four square feet in area, within 600 feet of the use, and not illuminated.
- Temporary signs, displays or banners not exceeding 32 square feet in area advertising a special civic or cultural event sponsored by a governmental, civic, religious or charitable organization.
- Special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations, or promotions for nonpartisan civic purposes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No outdoor advertising, sign, or structure shall be erected without a sign permit.
- A landscape plan shall be submitted with required sign plans for approval by the Zoning Administrator.
- All signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
- A new sign permit shall be required whenever any sign is relocated.
- Legal non-conforming signs must be properly maintained during the life of such advertisement or advertising structure.
- For freestanding signs, there shall be a minimum of 75 square feet of landscaped material around any freestanding sign, and this must be shown or submitted as part of the sign plans.
- Permanent freestanding signs shall be of a monument style, be composed of a brick or decorative block foundation and shall meet specified regulations.
- A sign plan (including landscape plan) is required for all new freestanding signs, and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- All Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) must submit a proffered General Development Plan (GDP), which must include the location and type of signage and indicate that signs are compatible with the architectural design of the overall project.
- For major site plan review areas (Commercial Corridor District, new manufactured/mobile home parks, multi-family, townhouse and condominium projects, and major subdivisions), landscape and signage plans must be submitted for review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- For conditional use permits where signage is requested to exceed standard requirements (such as height, electronic message boards, or off-site signs), submission of a sign plan as part of the conditional use application is required.
- Whenever a zoning permit for a new building or use is sought, two copies of an acceptable site plan (which may include proposed signage) must be submitted for review by the Zoning Administrator.
- For variances affecting signage, an acceptable site plan (showing signs if applicable) is required to be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

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

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