# Sign Regulations in Clarksburg, West Virginia

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

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

## At a glance

Clarksburg, West Virginia regulates 33 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Address Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft (freestanding), no specified max if attached tall and 1 sq ft (single-family), 4 sq ft (other), with a 10 ft from public right-of-way if freestanding setback (Sec. 1335A.04(a)). Most commercial signs in Clarksburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 30 ft (except highway shopping centers) | 100 sq ft (main board); tenants 50 sq ft each | — |
| Residential | 2 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Business, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CBD, Shopping Center, RB District, DRPO District | 10 | 100 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| Industrial | 2 | 30 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Center | 1 | 50 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Emily Drive, Tolley Drive | 2 | 100 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| Historic Districts | 3 | — | 30% of glass area (front) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 5 ft (freestanding), no specified max if attached | 1 sq ft (single-family), 4 sq ft (other) | — | 10 ft from public right-of-way if freestanding | 1 | May be attached to building, mailbox, or freestanding; must not obstruct the clear-sight triangle | — | 1335A.04(a) |
| Construction Sign (Residential) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 main, up to 4 total | Attached or freestanding at property undergoing construction | — | 1335A.04(c) |
| Construction Sign (Other Districts) | 8 ft (freestanding) | 25 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 main, up to 4 total | Attached or freestanding at property undergoing construction | — | 1335A.04(c) |
| For Sale, Rent, or Lease Sign (Residential) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 2 max | Attached or freestanding on property | — | 1335A.04(d) |
| For Sale, Rent, or Lease Sign (Other Districts) | 8 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 2 max | Attached or freestanding on property | — | 1335A.04(d) |
| Temporary For Sale, Rent, or Lease Sign (To Be Built or Developed) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft (off-site) | — | 10 ft from ROW | 4 | Off-site by developer | — | 1335A.04(e) |
| Off-Site Directional | 5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 3 max | Permanent location, not in ROW/trees/utility poles; wood or metal construction | — | 1335A.04(i) |
| No Turn Around, No Trespassing, Dog On Premises Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW (post) | 1 per 50 ft | Attached to building or post; post at least 5 ft from ROW | — | 1335A.04(o) |

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street surface | — | On premises, composite sign board; set back as per general rules | — | 1335A.04(n)/Table 1335A.04(a) |
| Residential Development Designation | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW (unless City Engineer approves otherwise) | 1 per entrance/exit | Entrance/exit roads to residential development | — | 1335A.04(q) |

### Business, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CBD, Shopping Center, RB District, DRPO District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street surface | — | On premises; composite sign board; must meet setback | — | 1335A.04(n), Table 1335A.04(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonground) | 30 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises; per street frontages | — | Table 1335A.04(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center) | 50 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Shopping center frontage | — | Table 1335A.04(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Emily Drive 1335A.04(n)(7)) | 100 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | As near to 10 ft from paved street as possible (Emily/Tolley Drive), at Code Enforcement Office discretion | — | Bordered by I-79, U.S. 50, Emily Drive, and city boundary | — | Table 1335A.04(b), 1335A.04(n)(7) |
| Multiple Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft main, 50 sq ft each tenant | — | — | 2 (if frontage 500+ ft; see additional requirements) | For complexes/multi-tenant; must be landscaped | — | 1335A.04(h) |
| Wall Sign | — | See formula. +25 sq ft at 150 ft setback; +50 sq ft at 250 ft setback | — | — | Each tenant w/frontage | Parallel to street lot line. Cannot project >15 in from wall or above roof/wall ends. | — | 1335A.04(p) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Hung at right angle to building, not above wall/roof. In front of establishment. | — | 1335A.04(v) |
| Business Park Identification Sign | 50 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per access road | Near entrance to business park, 1 per access road | — | 1335A.04(t) |

## Prohibited signs in Clarksburg

- Only signs which refer to a permitted use or an approved conditional use or special exception set forth in these regulations may be legally erected.
- Streamers, pennants, ribbons, spinners or other similar devices are prohibited in all zones, except for temporary use as noted for grand openings and certain events.
- Flashing signs, roof signs, rapid motion or rotation of the structure or any part thereof, changeable copy signs unless attached to a building or supported by permanent posts, and signs with fluorescent materials are prohibited, unless compliant with other sections.
- No sign may contain reflective elements or materials which sparkle, twinkle, or reflect light.
- Signs advertising or identifying an establishment not in business or no longer located on the premises must be removed within 30 days; such signs are not permitted.
- Signs affixed to trees, utility poles, fences, or equipment are prohibited.
- No sign except for a traffic, regulatory, or informational sign erected by an authorized governmental agency may use the words 'stop', 'caution', 'yield', or 'danger', incorporate red, amber, or green lights resembling traffic signals, or resemble 'stop' or 'yield' signs in shape or color.
- No sign, except for a traffic, regulatory, or informational sign erected by an authorized governmental agency, shall be erected within the right-of-way line of any highway, street, or road.
- No sign shall be erected in the clear-sight triangle or in conflict with any clear sight-triangle requirements.
- All signs must be located a minimum of ten (10) feet setback from the street surface unless otherwise noted, and may not be erected in a street right-of-way.
- Any sign determined by the Code Enforcement Office to be unsafe, insecure, or erected in violation of any provision is prohibited.
- Movable signs shall not be displayed outside after dark.
- No sign may be erected, added to, or altered without an approved Building Permit/Sign unless specifically exempted.
- Signs cannot obstruct vision of motorists, create distractions, or increase traffic accidents.
- No new construction or installation of 'bill-board' signage is permitted in any zoning district.
- Temporary signs other than those defined as free-standing must be placed flat against a wall/building/structure.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clarksburg

- The following sign types do not require a Building Permit/Sign (but must still comply with ordinance requirements regarding location, size, and posting duration): address signs, construction signs, for sale, rent, or lease signs, political signs (with removal required within 2 weeks after the election date), 'No Turn Around', 'No Trespassing', 'Dog On Premises' signs, and hours of operation signs.
- Flags and buntings for national patriotic holidays and temporary banners for charitable or civic events are excluded from the prohibition on streamers and similar devices.
- Signs erected by governmental agencies for traffic safety (including flashing or reflective signs) are excluded from prohibitions.
- Off-site signs operated by a government agency or a non-profit organization on a temporary basis to advertise community events or functions are exempt from requirements related to permanent off-site advertising.
- Date, time, and temperature signs are permitted under specific requirements.
- Temporary streamers, banners, and similar devices for grand openings or going out of business sales (30 days) on the property of the designated business are exempted from streamers/pennants prohibition.
- Permanent removal and permit provisions do not apply to official traffic, regulatory, or informational signs installed by authorized government agencies.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No specific requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan submission is found in the ordinance; however, a Building Permit/Sign application with a scale drawing and other details is required for most new, added, or altered signs.
- Variance, special exception, or Board of Zoning Appeals review is required for: appeals/denials of permits, certain off-site directional signs, permanent off-site advertising, and business park identification signs exceeding set limits.
- For new construction, the Building Permit may incorporate the Permit for signage within the application for new construction.
- Subdivision or land development proposals involving signs require review and approval of signage as part of the site plan by the Planning Commission, City Engineer, and Code Enforcement Office.
- Multiple signs with more than two faces proposed in conjunction with a subdivision or land development plan require approval by the City Engineer; if proposed outside this use, the Board of Zoning Appeals will review as a Special Exception.
- Permanent off-site advertising and some other signage exceptions require submission of a site/location plan or drawing as part of the Board of Zoning Appeals review.

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

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