# Sign Regulations in Bridgeport, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bridgeport, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/bridgeport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Bridgeport, West Virginia regulates 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Permanent Signs - Accessory to Dwellings in the R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District zoning district are capped at 3 ft. tall and 9 sq. ft. (total per dwelling), with a As required by general regulations; must be set back at least the height of the sign. setback (Sec. Section 1325.14(b), (d)). Most commercial signs in Bridgeport 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 | 3 | 6 ft. for real estate signs | Per zone chart (16-60 sq. ft.) | — |
| R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District | 6 | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. (total per dwelling) | — |
| BPO-1 Professional Office District | 4 | 25 ft. | 60 sq. ft. (total per use) | — |
| B-1 Business District | 4 | 25 ft. | 90 sq. ft. (Freestanding Outdoor Signs), 50 sq. ft. (All Other Signs) | — |
| A-1 Agricultural District, B-2 Business District, I-1 Industry District, I-2 Industry District | 5 | 40 ft. (not to exceed 40 ft. at highest point) | 90 sq. ft. (Freestanding Outdoor Signs), 50 sq. ft. (All Other Signs) | — |

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

### R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Dwellings | 3 ft. | 9 sq. ft. (total per dwelling) | — | As required by general regulations; must be set back at least the height of the sign. | Maximum 4 permanent signs per dwelling | On dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(b), (d) |
| Temporary/Minor Signs - Accessory to Dwellings | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. (total per dwelling) | — | — | Maximum 10 temporary signs per dwelling | On dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(b)(2), (d) |
| Flags - Accessory to Dwellings | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | — | Maximum 3 flags per dwelling | On dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(b)(3), (d) |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 3 ft. | 9 sq. ft. (total per use) | — | As required by general regulations; must be set back at least the height of the sign. | Maximum 5 permanent signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(c)(1), (d) |
| Temporary Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. (total per use) | — | — | Maximum 3 temporary signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(c)(2), (d) |
| Flags - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | — | Maximum 3 flags per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.14(c)(3), (d) |

### BPO-1 Professional Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Dwellings | 3 ft. | 9 sq. ft. (total per dwelling) | — | As required by general regulations. | Maximum 4 permanent signs per dwelling | On dwelling property | — | Section 1325.15(b), 1325.14 |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 10 ft. (Freestanding), 4 ft. (Other Signs) | 20 sq. ft. (Freestanding), All Other Signs: 2 sq. ft. per 1 lineal ft. bldg. frontage (max is half size of building) | — | As required by general regulations. | Maximum 7 permanent signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.15(c)(1), (d) |
| Temporary Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 5 ft. | 60 sq. ft. (total per use) | — | — | Maximum 5 temporary signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.15(c)(2), (d) |
| Flags - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | — | Maximum 3 flags per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.15(c)(3), (d) |

### A-1 Agricultural District, B-2 Business District, I-1 Industry District, I-2 Industry District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Dwellings | 3 ft. | 9 sq. ft. (total per dwelling) | — | As required by general regulations. | Maximum 4 permanent signs per dwelling | On dwelling property | — | Section 1325.17(b), 1325.14 |
| Permanent Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 20 ft. (Freestanding), 10 ft. (Others) | 90 sq. ft. (Freestanding Outdoor Signs), 50 sq. ft. (All Other Signs) | — | As required by general regulations. | Maximum 10 permanent signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.17(c)(1), (d) |
| Temporary Signs - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. (total per use) | — | — | Maximum 7 temporary signs per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.17(c)(2), (d) |
| Flags - Accessory to Non-dwellings | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | — | Maximum 3 flags per use | On non-dwelling property | — | Section 1325.17(c)(3), (d) |
| Billboard | 40 ft. (not to exceed 40 ft. at highest point) | — | — | Minimum 25 ft. from nearest edge of any public roadway or highway | — | Not closer than 25 ft. to any public roadway or highway | — | Sections 1325.06, 1325.08, 1325.17 |

## Prohibited signs in Bridgeport

- Signs not expressly permitted under this code are prohibited.
- Signs that violate any state or federal law relating to outdoor advertising or in violation of this code.
- Signs attached to natural vegetation.
- Signs simulating, or which are likely to be confused with, a traffic control sign or any other sign displayed by a public authority.
- Vehicle or trailer signs used for the primary purpose of advertising a business, product, service, or activity if the vehicle or trailer fails to display current license plates or inspection sticker, is inoperable, lacks evidence of paid-to-date local taxes, or the sign alters the standard design of the vehicle or trailer.
- Animated signs, except where animated sign features as part of an electronic message display are expressly permitted.
- Flashing signs or other signs displaying flashing, scrolling, or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except where flashing features as part of an electronic message display are expressly permitted.
- Beacons.
- Signs consisting of illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining property lines, open sales areas, rooflines, doors, windows, or wall edges of any building, except for temporary decorations not to exceed three months per year.
- Signs that emit smoke, flame, scent, mist, aerosol, liquid, or gas.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Neon signs, except in windows where permitted in a district.
- Off-premises signs, unless specifically permitted by this article.
- Signs erected on public land other than those approved by the Zoning Officer in writing, required by law without such approval, or permitted under West Virginia law.
- Roof signs (signs on the roof surface or extending above the roofline of a building or its parapet wall).
- Any sign located in the vision triangle formed by any two or more intersecting streets or any street and alley.
- Window signs with an aggregate area on a window or door in excess of 25% of the total area of the window or door or located above the first floor unless the related use is only on the floor where the window sign is displayed.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which involves rapid motion or rotation of the structure or any part thereof.
- No sign shall contain lighting which is not appropriately shielded, or that causes glare or impairs the vision of motorists, or is a nuisance to adjacent residential areas.
- No sign shall be comprised of or illuminated by any rapid flashing intermittent light or lights.
- No sign shall hinder the clear, unobstructed view of approaching merging traffic, or obscure from view any traffic sign or other official sign.
- No sign shall be so located as to obscure the view of any connecting road or intersection.
- No sign shall be painted, affixed or attached to any natural feature.
- No off-premises commercial advertising signs or billboards (for Outdoor Signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Bridgeport

- Signs required by law.
- Flags up to sixteen (16) square feet.
- The changing of messages on marquees and the repair of an existing permitted sign, except repair of a nonconforming sign must comply with this code.
- One sign, unilluminated, no more than twelve (12) square feet in area, located on property where a building permit is active.
- On any property for sale or rent, one sign with a total area of up to twelve (12) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet.
- Window signs, provided that the total area of window signs does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of all windows on each building facade.
- On any property where a new use began activity within the last six (6) months, banners for not more than fifteen (15) days.
- Two minor signs per use.
- Pavement markings: any sign applied directly and entirely to and flush with an asphalt, concrete, or similar paved surface.
- A permanent window sign, provided that the aggregate area of all window signs on each window or door does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of the window or door.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required prior to the display and erection of any sign except for exempt signs and temporary signs (Section 1325.03).
- Wall signs larger than one hundred (100) square feet are subject to a design review standard, and require a determination by the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding compatibility (Section 1325.09(f)).
- An application for a sign permit must be filed with the Community Development Director, Code Enforcement Officer, or other authorized City personnel, except for exempt and temporary signs.

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

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