# Sign Regulations in Dunbar, West Virginia

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

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

## At a glance

Dunbar, West Virginia regulates 40 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Commercial District zoning district are capped at 120 ft. tall and 150 sq. ft. per sign / total 150 sq. ft., with a Setback from right-of-way at least the height of the sign (1335.09(a)). setback (Sec. 1335.17(d)). Most commercial signs in Dunbar require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Residential District, Special Residential District, Multi-Family District, Recreation District | 16 | 25 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| General Commercial District | 17 | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign / total 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial District | 22 | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign / total 150 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | On-premises: 4 ft.; Off-premises: 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft.; off-premises 16 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Single Family Residential District, Special Residential District, Multi-Family District, Recreation District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | Not specified | On dwelling wall. | — | 1335.15(a), 1335.15(d), 1335.09(e), 1335.03 |
| Window Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | Not specified | On dwelling window/door. Not above the first floor unless use is only on that floor. | — | 1335.15(a), 1335.05(h), 1335.07(c)(5) |
| Minor Sign | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per use | Accessory to dwelling. | — | 1335.15(a), 1335.05(e) |
| Temporary Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than four (4) in specified exemption; otherwise see temporary sign rules. | On private property. | — | 1335.15(a), 1335.05(d), 1335.13 |
| Flag (Accessory to Dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 flag per dwelling | On dwelling/lot. | — | 1335.15(c), 1335.05(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Accessory to Non-Dwelling) | 5 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use | As accessory to non-dwellings. | — | 1335.15(b), 1335.15(d) |
| Monument Sign (Accessory to Non-Dwelling) | 5 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use | As accessory to non-dwellings. | — | 1335.15(b), 1335.15(d) |
| Wall Sign (Accessory to Non-Dwelling) | Height of building to which sign is attached. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | More than one (not limited) | Wall of non-dwelling building. | — | 1335.15(b), 1335.15(d), 1335.09(e) |

### General Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign / total 150 sq. ft. | — | Setback from right-of-way at least the height of the sign (1335.09(a)). | — | On lot; must observe general setback requirements (sign height). | — | 1335.17(d) |
| A-frame Sign | 120 ft. (if freestanding); otherwise per portable sign standards. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On private property, must be more than 50 feet from nearest public right of way to be permit-exempt. | — | 1335.17(b), 1335.05(f) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per sign; 100 sq. ft. total per use | — | — | More than one; total area limit. | Wall of permitted building. | — | 1335.17(b), 1335.17(d), 1335.09(e) |
| Window Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per sign; 100 sq. ft. total per use | — | — | More than one; total area limit. | On window/door. | — | 1335.17(b), 1335.17(d), 1335.05(h), 1335.07(c)(5) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. per sign / 160 sq. ft. total per use | — | — | 10 per lot in non-residential districts. | On property or in forms: banner, chalkboard, window, wall, wicket. Feather, inflatable, and person assisted also permitted (with specific restrictions for person assisted signs). | — | 1335.17(d), 1335.13(c)(d) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | Max one per use | On awning or canopy. | — | 1335.17(b), 1335.17(d) |
| Flag | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per non-dwelling | On lot or building. | — | 1335.17(c), 1335.05(b) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | As part of max 10 temporary signs. | On lot. | — | 1335.17(b), 1335.13(b) |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign / total 150 sq. ft. | — | Setback from right-of-way at least height of sign (1335.09(a)). | — | On lot. | — | 1335.19(e) |
| Temporary Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. per sign / 160 sq. ft. total per use | — | — | 10 per lot | On property, or as specified. | — | 1335.19(e), 1335.13 |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | As part of permitted temporary signs. | On property. | — | 1335.19(b), 1335.13(b) |
| Inflatable Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | As part of permitted temporary signs. | On property. | — | 1335.19(b), 1335.13(b) |
| Person Assisted Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | As part of permitted temporary signs. | Within 10 ft of building entrance, not within 10 ft of right-of-way. | — | 1335.19(b), 1335.13(f) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use | On building or lot. | — | 1335.19(b), 1335.19(e) |
| Commercial Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use | On building or lot. | — | 1335.19(b), 1335.19(e) |
| Flag (Accessory to Non-Dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per non-dwelling | On lot or building. | — | 1335.19(d), 1335.05(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Dunbar

- Signs not expressly permitted are prohibited.
- Signs that violate state or federal law relating to outdoor advertising or are in violation of this code.
- Signs attached to natural vegetation.
- Signs simulating or likely to be confused with a traffic control sign or any other sign displayed by a public authority.
- Vehicle or trailer signs.
- Freestanding sign more than twenty-five (25) feet in height.
- Signs hanging from supports, except against the face of a building.
- 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 such signs are expressly permitted.
- Fully animated electronic message displays.
- Signs displaying profanity.
- Illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining property lines, sales areas, rooflines, doors, windows, or wall edges (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.
- Pennants or strings of flags visible from, and within ten feet of, any public right-of-way.
- Pole signs less than four feet in height.
- Neon signs, except in windows where permitted in a district.
- Off-premises signs, unless specifically permitted by this chapter.
- Signs erected on public land other than those approved by the Zoning Officer in writing, required by law, or permitted under West Virginia law.
- Roof signs (signs on the roof surface or extending above the roofline or parapet wall).
- Signs located in the vision triangle formed by intersecting streets or alley.
- Window signs with an aggregate area exceeding 25% 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.
- Temporary signs using thin wire frame (wicket style double 'H' wire frame) are prohibited on public property and public right of ways.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dunbar

- Signs erected by a governmental body or required by law.
- Flags up to sixteen (16) square feet in size not containing a commercial message.
- The changing of messages on marquees and the repair of an existing permitted sign, except that repair of a nonconforming sign must comply with this code.
- Temporary signs under the following conditions: (1) One sign, no illumination, not more than twelve (12) square feet, on property with an active building permit. (2) On property for sale or rent, one sign up to twelve (12) square feet and up to six (6) feet in height. (3) Signs posted or displayed by or under direction of a public or court officer in the performance of duties, provided they are removed within 10 days after their purpose is accomplished. (4) No more than four temporary signs totaling no more than twelve (12) square feet, removed within thirty (30) days after being erected. (5) Window signs. (6) On property with a new use within the last six months, banners for not more than fifteen (15) days in one calendar year.
- Two (2) minor signs per use.
- A-frame signs more than fifty (50) feet from the nearest public right of way.
- Pavement markings applied directly and entirely to and flush with a paved surface.
- Permanent window signs, provided the aggregate area on each window or door does not exceed 25% of the total area.
- Signs permitted under this section count towards the allowable maximum sign square footage for a particular use or property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a permit is required prior to the display and erection of any sign, except as provided in the exemptions—permit application must be filed with the Zoning Officer on forms furnished by the City.
- Each application must provide information sufficient to determine compliance with the code and other laws.
- Permit applications are processed within twenty (20) business days; deficiencies are reported to the applicant.
- If a conforming sign application complies with all applicable codes and ordinances, it shall be approved.
- If the application is rejected, the Zoning Officer must provide reasons in writing.
- Appeals from permit decisions are made to the Board of Zoning Appeals as set out in the code.
- Permit fee is required based on the value of the work, as specified in Article 1725, with an extra $50 per sign being resurfaced.
- Permits are void if the sign is not installed within six months (or within the period stated in the permit) after the permit is issued; for temporary signs, the period is thirty days unless otherwise provided.
- Wall sign permit applications must have written permission from the building operator or owner, applicant's details, and a clear drawing of the proposed sign including dimensions and location.

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

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