# Sign Regulations in Moorefield, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Moorefield, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/moorefield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WV/Moorefield/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH20ZO_ARTXIVSI)

## At a glance

Moorefield, West Virginia regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Corridor commercial (C-1), Industrial (I) zoning district are capped at 120 feet tall and 150 square feet (per use, total of all freestanding signs), with a Must be set back at least the height of the sign from any public right-of-way. setback (Sec. Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1), (d); 20-14.09(a,b); 20-14.03). Most commercial signs in Moorefield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family residential (R-1) | 9 | 25 feet | 42 square feet each | — |
| Multi-family residential (R-2) | 7 | 25 feet | 42 square feet each | — |
| Corridor commercial (C-1), Industrial (I) | 8 | 120 feet | 425 square feet each | — |
| Historic and neighborhood commercial (C-2) | 6 | 35 feet | 120 square feet each | — |
| Conservation (OS) | 4 | 25 feet | 50 square feet (total per use, per permanent sign type) | — |
| Planned residential development (PRD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 8 feet (off-premises temp sign); 6 feet (for-sale/rent sign) | 16 square feet (if on property where permit active or for-sale/rent, otherwise see district restrictions) | — |

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

### Single-family residential (R-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minor Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1), Sec. 20-14.05(e), Sec. 20-14.05(g) |
| Projecting Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1) |
| Window Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling); also 25% of window area maximum | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On or within 18 inches of window/door. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1); Sec. 20-14.05(g) |
| A-frame Sign (Temporary, Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 16 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two temporary signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(2), Sec. 20-14.05(d), Sec. 20-14.15 |
| Chalkboard Sign (Temporary, Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 16 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two temporary signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(2) |
| Banner, Feather, Inflatable/Tethered, Wicket, Window, Minor (Temporary, Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 16 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two temporary signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(2) |
| Flag (Accessory to Dwelling) | 25 feet | 42 square feet each | — | — | No more than four larger flags per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(3), Sec. 20-14.05(b) |
| Permanent Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 feet | 25 square feet (total per use) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per use | On property of non-dwelling use. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(c)(1) |

### Multi-family residential (R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minor Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1), Sec. 20-14.05(e), Sec. 20-14.05(g) |
| Projecting Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1) |
| Window Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 4 square feet (total per dwelling); also 25% of window area maximum | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per dwelling | On or within 18 inches of window/door. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(1); Sec. 20-14.05(g) |
| A-frame Sign (Temporary, Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 feet | 16 square feet (total per dwelling) | — | — | No more than two temporary signs per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(2), Sec. 20-14.05(d), Sec. 20-14.15 |
| Flag (Accessory to Dwelling) | 25 feet | 42 square feet each | — | — | No more than four larger flags per dwelling | On the dwelling property. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(b)(3), Sec. 20-14.05(b) |
| Permanent Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 feet | 25 square feet (total per use) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per use | On property of non-dwelling use. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(c)(1) |
| Freestanding, Monument, Wall, Awning/Canopy, Projecting, Wicket, Window Signs (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 feet | 25 square feet (total per use) | — | — | No more than two permanent signs per use | On property of non-dwelling use. | — | Sec. 20-14.17(c)(1) |

### Corridor commercial (C-1), Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-frame Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet (total per use) | — | — | Maximum three permanent, four temporary per use | On the property. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1,2), (d); 20-14.05; 20-14.15 |
| Freestanding Sign | 120 feet | 150 square feet (per use, total of all freestanding signs) | — | Must be set back at least the height of the sign from any public right-of-way. | No more than three permanent signs (all types) per use | On property of use. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1), (d); 20-14.09(a,b); 20-14.03 |
| Wall Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet (total per use) | — | — | No more than three permanent signs (all types) per use | On wall of building. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1),(d); 20-14.09(f,g); 20-14.03 |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet (all other permanent signs) or 120 feet (if treated as freestanding) | 150 square feet (included in total freestanding sign area per use) | — | — | No more than three permanent signs (all types) per use | On property, ground-mounted. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1),(d) |
| Window Sign | 10 feet (as part of 'all other permanent signs') | 25% of each window or door area | — | — | Included in total of three permanent signs per use | On or within 18 inches of window/door. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1); 20-14.05(g) |
| Electronic Message Display (Static, With/Without Transition, Partial/Full Animation) | 10 feet for wall/other signs; 120 feet if on freestanding sign | 100 square feet (included in total per use/all other permanent signs) | — | — | Counted within maximum three permanent signs per use | On permitted sign types (e.g., wall, freestanding). | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(1),(d); 20-14.09(b) |
| Temporary Signs (Banner, Chalkboard, Feather, Inflatable/Tethered, Minor, Off-premises, Pennant, Person Assisted, Wall, Wicket, Window) | 10 feet | 100 square feet (total per use of all temporary signs) | — | — | Four temporary signs per use | On the property. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(c)(2),(d); 20-14.15 |
| Flag | 65 feet | 425 square feet each | — | — | No more than four flags per use | On the property. | — | Sec. 20-14.23(d), 20-14.05(b), 20-14.23(c)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Moorefield

- 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 primarily to display a commercial sign, if the vehicle or trailer fails to display current license plates, inspection sticker, or municipal decal; or if inoperable; or if local taxes are unpaid; 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.
- 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 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 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 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 Moorefield

- 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.
- Temporary signs as follows, subject to sign area and height limitations of the district in which the sign is located: (1) One sign, no illumination, no more than twelve square feet in area, located on property where a building permit is active; (2) 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; (3) On dwellings, no more than four temporary signs with a total area of no more than twelve square feet; (4) 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; (5) 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

- An application for a sign permit must be filed with the zoning officer, including sufficient information to determine if the proposed sign is permitted under this Code and other applicable law.
- A sign permit is required prior to the display and erection of any sign, except as specifically exempted.
- Applications for wall signs larger than one hundred square feet are subject to design review by the board of zoning appeals.
- The board of zoning appeals shall issue permits for signs subject to design review (e.g., wall signs in excess of 100 square feet) and shall issue a determination within forty business days.
- Appeals from the denial or granting of a sign permit shall be made to the board of zoning appeals.
- For planned residential developments (PRDs), a site plan showing the location of all existing and proposed principal and accessory buildings and structures, including signs, shall be provided as part of the PRD application process.
- Temporary signs (except those specifically exempted) require a permit for up to thirty days each calendar year.
- For electronic message displays, the permit application must include a manufacturer’s statement regarding programmed features to ensure Code compliance.
- A sign permit is void if the sign is not installed within six months (or within the specified permit time, or within thirty days for a temporary sign permit).

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

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