Sign Regulations in Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley, West Virginia has specific sign regulations covering 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Billboard, Message Board / LED Sign, Ground Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Beckley, West Virginia
Sample Sign Requirements in Beckley
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 35 ft | 25% of building frontage or 200 sq ft, whichever is smaller | At least 10 ft from property line; at least 2 ft from other sign/building/structure. |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | Cannot extend >6 inches beyond building line |
| Roof Sign | 20 ft above roof level | 300 sq ft | No face nearer than 5 ft to outside wall |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for BeckleyFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
9
- Billboard
- Message Board / LED Sign
- Ground Sign
- Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
2
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Beckley
Other Cities in West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Beckley vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Beckley, 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 Beckley, regulated sign types include Billboard, Message Board / LED Sign, Ground Sign, Wall 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 Beckley 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 Beckley are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Beckley has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Beckley, West Virginia Sign Rules at a Glance
Beckley, West Virginia regulates 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Billboards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per Ground/Wall/Roof/Projecting sign limits (see 15-322 to 15-325) tall and 300 sq ft or 25% of building area, whichever is less, with a Per underlying sign type (typically 10 ft min) setback (Sec. Sec. 15-328). Most commercial signs in Beckley require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Beckley, West Virginia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Beckley (2 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, M Zoning Districts | 2 | Per Ground/Wall/Roof/Projecting sign limits (see 15-322 to 15-325) | 300 sq ft or 25% of building area, whichever is less | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Beckley
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 35 ft | 25% of building frontage or 200 sq ft, whichever is smaller | — | At least 10 ft from property line; at least 2 ft from other sign/building/structure. | — | Set back at least 10 ft from property line; at least 2 ft from any other sign/building/structure; at least 2 ft open space between baseline and ground (can be filled to no more than half of open space); open space not required for monument signs. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-322 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Cannot extend >6 inches beyond building line | — | Attached to exterior front, rear, or side wall; not less than 10 ft above sidewalk/ground; cannot extend more than 6 inches beyond building line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-323 |
| Roof Sign | 20 ft above roof level | 300 sq ft | — | No face nearer than 5 ft to outside wall | — | Erected wholly upon or above the roof, principal support attached to roof; no face nearer than 5 ft to outside wall towards sign; cannot prevent passage/interfere with openings. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-324 |
| Projecting Sign - Horizontal | — | 25 sq ft per side | — | At least 1 ft from curb; max 2 ft from wall | — | At least 10 ft above sidewalk or 15 ft above driveways; max 2 ft projection from wall; at least 1 ft from curb line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-325 |
| Projecting Sign - Vertical | — | 50 sq ft per side | — | At least 1 ft from curb; max 2 ft from wall | — | At least 10 ft above sidewalk or 15 ft above driveways; max 2 ft projection from wall; at least 1 ft from curb line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-325 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 100 sq ft | 4 ft (no single dimension may exceed) | — | — | Shall not extend over/into public right-of-way more than 4 inches; cannot project over wall openings. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-326 |
| Marquee | — | — | Entrances width + 5 ft each side | No portion <10 ft above sidewalk; no extension beyond 1 ft inside curb. | — | Projection: No portion <10 ft above sidewalk; no extension beyond 1 ft inside curbline; completely supported by building. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-327 |
| Billboard | Per Ground/Wall/Roof/Projecting sign limits (see 15-322 to 15-325) | 300 sq ft or 25% of building area, whichever is less | — | Per underlying sign type (typically 10 ft min) | Min 1,500 ft from another billboard | Not on premises being advertised; permitted only in zones B-1, B-2, B-3, and M (see Sec. 15-328(d)). Must be >1,500 ft from another billboard. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-328 |
B-1, B-2, B-3, M Zoning Districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | Per Ground/Wall/Roof/Projecting sign limits (see 15-322 to 15-325) | 300 sq ft or 25% of building area, whichever is less | — | Per underlying sign type (typically 10 ft min) | Min 1,500 ft from another billboard | Not on premises being advertised; only in business or manufacturing-zoned areas adjacent to federal-aid or interstate highway; min 1,500 ft from another billboard. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-328(d) |
| Message Board / LED Sign | 8 ft | — | Building width | — | — | Allowed in B-1, B-2, B-3, and M Zoning Districts only. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15-321 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Beckley are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Beckley
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected or maintained in violation of the permit requirements of section 15-304.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be inadequately maintained so as to show evidence of deterioration including peeling, rust, dirt, facing, discoloration, or holes.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall advertise a business or product which is no longer in existence.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall obstruct free and clear vision at any street intersection.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device because of its position, shape, or color.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall make use of the words 'STOP', 'LOOK', 'DANGER', or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate design, construction, repair, or maintenance.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be illuminated with lights which glare into or upon the surrounding area or any residential premises or distract operators of vehicles or pedestrians in the public right-of-way.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be painted on or attached to a motor vehicle used primarily for the display of such sign. This does not prohibit the identification of a business or its products or services on its vehicles operated and parked in the normal course of business.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall have visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind, except for the movable hands on street clocks, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronics, or mechanical means, except for time-temperature-date signs.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall have lights or illumination that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations except for signs that present public service messages, time, date, and temperature information, or advertising by use of words on a permanent message board. Specific zoning district limitations apply for message boards.
Exempt Signs in Beckley
- Temporary real estate signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs must be removed within seven (7) days following sale or rental.
- Temporary political signs concerning candidates for public office and ballot issues not exceeding eight (8) square feet. Such signs may only be erected within 60 days prior to an election/referendum and must be removed within 7 days thereafter.
- Temporary signs advertising garage or yard sales not exceeding four (4) square feet. Such signs may be posted no more than three (3) days prior to and must be removed one (1) day after the sale.
- Signs reviewed and approved under the Historic Landmark Commission Summary of Guidelines by the City of Beckley Historic Landmark Commission.
- Public signs regulating vehicular or pedestrian traffic or designating or giving direction to streets, schools, hospitals, historical sites, or public facilities.
- Flags of any government or governmental agency or any patriotic, religious, charitable, civic, educational, or fraternal organization.
- Temporary signs in conjunction with special events (e.g., philanthropic campaign, church, circus, carnival, or other community activity) not exceeding forty (40) square feet, erected no more than 14 days in advance and removed within 3 days after the event.
- Temporary displays or decorations customarily associated with any national, state, local, or religious holiday or celebration, erected no more than sixty (60) days before and removed within fourteen (14) days after the celebration.
- Handheld signs of a noncommercial nature not set on or affixed to the ground and not exceeding ten (10) square feet.
- Temporary signs identifying the architect, engineer, developer, or contractor on construction sites, not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet, not erected prior to site plan approval and removed within seven (7) days after project completion.
- Commercial building occupational signs identifying the name and profession of the occupant(s) not exceeding two (2) square feet.
- Memorial or commemorative plaques or tablets denoting building name and/or date of erection or location of historic significance not exceeding four (4) square feet.
- Property identification signs indicating address and/or name, not exceeding two (2) square feet for residential or five (5) square feet for nonresidential uses.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Beckley
- Permit required for erection, relocation, or structural alteration of any sign except where exempted by section 15-315.
- Application for building permit must include blueprints or drawings, construction and attachment methods, stress calculations, proof of compliance with state building code, and any other information required to show full compliance.
- Permit review includes plans examination (especially for electrical signs) and building/zoning code compliance checks.
- Variance requests may be made to the board of zoning appeals after permit denial and require a public hearing.
- Signs reviewed and approved under the Historic Landmark Commission Summary of Guidelines by the City of Beckley Historic Landmark Commission are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs identifying architects/engineers/developers/contractors on construction sites may not be erected prior to approval of a site plan.
Source: municode municipal code