# Sign Regulations in Montgomery, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Montgomery, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/montgomery
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WV/Montgomery/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH27ZO_ARTXVISI)

## At a glance

Montgomery, West Virginia regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Permanent, Accessory to Dwellings)s in the Single Family, Multi Family, and Factory Built Home Neighborhood Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall and 4 sq. ft. (Sec. 27-114(b)(1), (d)). Most commercial signs in Montgomery require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family, Multi Family, and Factory Built Home Neighborhood Zoning Districts | 5 | 25 ft. | 48 sq. ft. each | — |
| Downtown Commercial District, General Commercial District | 5 | 25 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial District | 5 | 110 ft. | 1,800 sq. ft. each | — |
| Conservation District | 4 | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Single Family, Multi Family, and Factory Built Home Neighborhood Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permanent, Accessory to Dwellings) | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 4 permanent signs per dwelling. | On dwelling; only wall signs permitted on river frontage. | — | 27-114(b)(1), (d) |
| Wall Sign (Temporary Accessory to Dwellings) | 4 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than five temporary signs per dwelling. | On dwelling; only flags and banners permitted on river frontage. | — | 27-114(b)(2), (d); 27-113; 27-108(d)(3) |
| Flag (Permanent and Temporary, Accessory to Dwellings) | 25 ft. | 48 sq. ft. each | — | — | No more than four flags per dwelling. | On dwelling or on river frontage. | — | 27-114(b)(1)-(3), (d); 27-108(b) |
| Window Sign (Permanent and Temporary, Accessory to Dwellings) | — | 25% of total window area per window/door (see 27-108(d)(4), 27-108(g)) | — | — | — | On window or door. | — | 27-108(d)(4), (g); 27-114(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent, Accessory to Non-dwellings) | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 3 | On property of non-dwelling use; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-114(c)(1), (d) |

### Downtown Commercial District, General Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent, Non-dwelling Uses) | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 5 per use | On property; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-116(c)(1), (d) |
| Other Permanent Sign Types (Awning/Canopy, Changeable Copy, EMD Static, EMD Static w/Transition, Flag, Geological, Minor, Monument, Neon, Projecting, Topiary, Wall, Window) | 10 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 5 per use | On property; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-116(c)(1), (d) |
| Wall Sign (Permanent, Non-dwelling Uses) | — | — | — | — | No more than 5 wall signs per use | On wall; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-116(c)(1), (d) |
| Temporary Sign (A-Frame, Banner, Beacon, Chalkboard, Changeable Copy, Feather, Flag, Inflatable/Tethered, Minor, Pennant, Person-assisted, Wicket, Window) | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 3 per use | On property; only flags and banners on river frontage. | — | 27-116(c)(2), (d); 27-113 |
| Flag (Permanent & Temporary, Non-dwelling Uses) | 25 ft. | 48 sq. ft. each | — | — | No more than 4 flags per use | On property, including river frontage. | — | 27-116(c)(1)-(3), (d); 27-108(b) |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent, Non-dwelling Uses) | 50 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 6 per use | On property; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-117(c)(1), (d) |
| Other Permanent Sign Types (A-Frame, Awning/Canopy, Banner, Changeable Copy, EMD Static, EMD Static w/Transition, Flag, Geological, Minor, Monument, Topiary, Wall, Window) | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 6 per use | On property; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-117(c)(1), (d) |
| Wall Sign (Permanent, Non-dwelling Uses) | — | — | — | — | No more than 6 per use | On wall; only wall signs on river frontage. | — | 27-117(c)(1), (d) |
| Temporary Sign (A-Frame, Banner, Beacon, Chalkboard, Changeable Copy, Feather, Flag, Inflatable/Tethered, Minor, Pennant, Person-assisted, Wicket, Window) | 10 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than 3 | On property; only flags and banners on river frontage. | — | 27-117(c)(2), (d); 27-113 |
| Flag (Permanent & Temporary, Non-dwelling Uses) | 110 ft. | 1,800 sq. ft. each | — | — | No more than 4 flags per use | On property, including river frontage. | — | 27-117(c)(3), (d); 27-108(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Montgomery

- 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 that are likely to be confused with, a traffic control sign or any other sign displayed by a public authority.
- Vehicle or trailer signs, defined as any sign attached to or displayed on a vehicle, if the vehicle or trailer is used primarily to display a commercial message, it fails to display current license plates, inspection sticker, or municipal decal; if the vehicle is inoperable; if evidence of paid-to-date local taxes cannot be made available; or if the sign alters the standard design of such 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 sign features as part of an electronic message display are expressly permitted.
- Beacons, except where light is cast onto a building located on the same lot as the beacon.
- Signs made of plywood.
- Signs limiting the flow of pedestrian traffic.
- Signs consisting of illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining property lines or 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 expressly permitted in a district.
- Off-premises signs, unless expressly permitted under this Code.
- Signs erected on public land other than those approved by the zoning officer in writing, required by law, or permitted under West Virginia law.
- Signs on the roof surface or extending above the roofline of a building or its parapet wall greater than five square feet in area.
- 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 twenty-five percent 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.

## Signs exempt from permit in Montgomery

- Signs required by law.
- Flags up to sixteen square feet.
- 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.
- One temporary sign, no illumination, no more than twelve 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 square feet and a maximum height of six feet.
- On dwellings, no more than four temporary signs at one time with a total area of no more than twelve square feet, and that are removed within thirty days after being erected.
- Window signs, provided that the total area of window signs does not exceed twenty-five percent of the total area of all windows on each building façade, and such signs are removed within thirty days after being erected.
- On any property where a new use began activity within the last six months, banners for not more than fifteen 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 of the total area of the window or door.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit is required prior to the display and erection of any sign, except as provided in the Code (see exemptions).
- Application for permit must demonstrate materials are appropriate; manufacturer's specifications are sufficient.
- An application for an electronic message display must include the manufacturer's statement on pre-programmed settings to meet Code requirements.
- Wall signs larger than sixty square feet require as part of a zoning permit application: express permission from the operator/owner of the building, the name and address of the person applying the wall sign, and a clear drawing of the proposed wall sign including dimensions and location.
- Wall signs larger than sixty square feet are subject to design review standards and require a zoning permit issued by the board of zoning appeals.
- Design review standards are applied by the board of zoning appeals for wall signs in excess of sixty square feet, with specific criteria for 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 5 zoning districts in Montgomery — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Montgomery+WV&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-montgomery

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