# Sign Regulations in Morgantown, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Morgantown, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/morgantown
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/wv/morgantown/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTTHIRTEENPLZOCO_CHNINEDEST_ART1369SI)

## At a glance

Morgantown, West Virginia regulates 24 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Directory Sign (Ground - Monument Style)s in the Neighborhood Business District (B-1) zoning district are capped at 6 ft (per Sec. 1369.07(b)(1)); Table lists 48 inches for Directory, Logo/Name and 60 inches for Detailed tall and Logo/name directory: 18 sq ft (shopping centers); otherwise counts against additional 0.3 sq ft/lf non-wall allocation (Sec. 1369.09(c)(3)), with a ≥20 ft from ROW; clear sight triangle setback (Sec. Sec. 1369.07(b); Sec. 1369.08(b)-(c); Table 1369.06.01; Table 1369.09.01). Most commercial signs in Morgantown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-1, R-1A) | 8 | 72 inches (6 ft) | Not specified in Sec. 1369.07; allowed as one detailed directory sign in addition to logo/name directories | — |
| Single- and Two-Family Residential District (R-2) | 8 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Multi-Family Residential District (R-3) | 7 | 72 inches (6 ft) | Wall-attached: 32 sq ft; Ground (if TUP): 16 sq ft/side; Special events: 20 sq ft each (up to two ground signs) | — |
| Professional, Residential and Office District (PRO) | 9 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side, but PRO district cap applies to business signs | — |
| Office and Institutional District (OI) | 9 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (B-1) | 11 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Service Business District (B-2) | 11 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Business District (B-4) | 11 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Center District (B-5) | 12 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (I-1) | 9 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 11 | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Interstate Sign Overlay District (ISOD) | 3 | To be determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Top ≤ 10 ft above ground | 36 in x 54 in per box | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### Neighborhood Business District (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Ground - Monument Style) | 6 ft (per Sec. 1369.07(b)(1)); Table lists 48 inches for Directory, Logo/Name and 60 inches for Detailed | Logo/name directory: 18 sq ft (shopping centers); otherwise counts against additional 0.3 sq ft/lf non-wall allocation (Sec. 1369.09(c)(3)) | — | ≥20 ft from ROW; clear sight triangle | 1 per entrance (+1 detailed per site) | Near parking entrances/internal intersections; ≥20 ft from ROW | — | Sec. 1369.07(b); Sec. 1369.08(b)-(c); Table 1369.06.01; Table 1369.09.01 |
| Directional Sign (Ground) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Clear sight triangle | — | On private property guiding on-site traffic | — | Sec. 1369.07(k) |
| Menu Board (Drive-Thru Accessory) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On-site at drive-thru restaurant only | — | Sec. 1369.07(d); Table 1369.06.01 |
| Monument Sign | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side (counts against non-wall allocation 0.3 sq ft/lf) | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(e); Sec. 1369.08(b)-(c) |
| Post and Panel Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side (counts against non-wall allocation 0.3 sq ft/lf) | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(f); Sec. 1369.08(b)-(c) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 inches (4 ft) | — | 24 inches (2 ft) | — | 1 per business | On private sidewalk; public sidewalk/ROW placement limited to B-4 | — | Sec. 1369.07(j); Sec. 1369.14(c) |
| Suspended Sign | — | Up to 6 sq ft (not counted toward wall sign area); under-canopy max 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Under canopy or projecting from building; may protrude into ROW only in B-4 | — | Sec. 1369.07(g); Sec. 1369.14 |
| Temporary Sign | Ground with TUP: 42 inches | Wall-attached: 32 sq ft; Ground (if TUP): 16 sq ft/side; Special events: 20 sq ft (two allowed) | — | Maintain clear sight triangle for ground temporary signs | Per permit limits | On private property | — | Sec. 1369.07(h); Sec. 1369.08(c) |

### Service Business District (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Ground - Monument Style) | 6 ft (Sec. 1369.07(b)(1)); Table lists 48 inches (Logo/Name) and 60 inches (Detailed) | Logo/name directory: 18 sq ft (shopping centers); otherwise sized within site needs | — | ≥20 ft from ROW; clear sight triangle | 1 per entrance (+1 detailed per site) | Near parking entrances/internal intersections; ≥20 ft from ROW | — | Sec. 1369.07(b); Sec. 1369.08(a); Table 1369.06.01; Table 1369.09.01 |
| Directional Sign (Ground) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Clear sight triangle | — | On private property guiding on-site traffic | — | Sec. 1369.07(k) |
| Menu Board (Drive-Thru Accessory) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On-site at drive-thru restaurant only | — | Sec. 1369.07(d); Table 1369.06.01 |
| Monument Sign | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(e); Sec. 1369.08(a) |
| Post and Panel Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(f); Sec. 1369.08(a) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 inches (4 ft) | — | 24 inches (2 ft) | — | 1 per business | On private sidewalk; public sidewalk/ROW placement limited to B-4 | — | Sec. 1369.07(j); Sec. 1369.14(c) |
| Suspended Sign | — | Up to 6 sq ft (not counted toward wall sign area); under-canopy: 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Under canopy or projecting; may protrude into ROW only in B-4 | — | Sec. 1369.07(g); Sec. 1369.14 |
| Temporary Sign | Ground with TUP: 42 inches | Wall-attached: 32 sq ft; Ground (if TUP): 16 sq ft/side; Special events: 20 sq ft (two allowed) | — | Maintain clear sight triangle for ground temporary signs | Per permit limits | On private property | — | Sec. 1369.07(h) |

### Shopping Center District (B-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Ground - Monument Style) | 6 ft (Sec. 1369.07(b)(1)); Table lists 48 inches for Directory, Logo/Name and 60 inches for Detailed | Logo/name directory: 18 sq ft (shopping centers) | — | ≥20 ft from ROW; clear sight triangle | 1 per entrance (+1 detailed per site) | Near entrances to parking areas and principal internal intersections; ≥20 ft from ROW | — | Sec. 1369.07(b); Sec. 1369.08(a); Table 1369.09.01 |
| Directional Sign (Ground) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Clear sight triangle | — | On private property guiding on-site traffic | — | Sec. 1369.07(k) |
| Menu Board (Drive-Thru Accessory) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On-site at drive-thru restaurant only | — | Sec. 1369.07(d); Table 1369.06.01 |
| Monument Sign | 72 inches (6 ft) | 32 sq ft per side | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(e); Sec. 1369.08(a) |
| Post and Panel Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | Clear sight triangle | 1 per principal entrance; spacing ≥100 ft | On private property at principal entrance(s) | — | Sec. 1369.07(f); Sec. 1369.08(a) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 inches (4 ft) | — | 24 inches (2 ft) | — | 1 per business | On private sidewalk; public ROW placement limited to B-4 | — | Sec. 1369.07(j); Sec. 1369.14(c) |
| Suspended Sign | — | Up to 6 sq ft (not counted toward wall sign area); under-canopy: 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Under canopy or projecting; may protrude into ROW only in B-4 (not B-5) | — | Sec. 1369.07(g); Sec. 1369.14 |
| Temporary Sign | Ground with TUP: 42 inches | Wall-attached: 32 sq ft; Ground (if TUP): 16 sq ft/side; Special events: 20 sq ft (two allowed) | — | Maintain clear sight triangle for ground temporary signs | Per permit limits | On private property | — | Sec. 1369.07(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Morgantown

- All signs not expressly permitted by the ordinance or exempt are prohibited.
- Any sign that copies or imitates an official sign or purports to have official status is prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Windblown devices are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, and strings of light bulbs are prohibited except for holiday decorations.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Signs with moving or flashing lights are prohibited, except as allowed for electronic scrolling message signs; neon signs are allowed only where signs are permitted and not in residential districts and only if of a permitted type.
- Any sign attached to an accessory structure that is legible from the public right-of-way or from other property is prohibited.
- Any other attention-attracting device is prohibited unless it conforms to the dimensional, design, lighting, and other standards applicable to a permitted sign in the same location.
- Any sign that obstructs or substantially interferes with any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress to any building is prohibited.
- Any sign attached to gas pumps or gas pump islands that can be read from a public street by most persons of normal vision is prohibited.
- Off‑premise and billboard signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed by the ordinance.
- Pylon signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed by the ordinance.
- Signs mounted on or above the roofline of any building are prohibited, except in the B-4 district where they may be permitted as a conditional use and count toward the total sign allotment.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Any sign located in a public right‑of‑way is prohibited except as expressly provided in the ordinance.
- No sign may be erected within the clear vision triangle.

## Signs exempt from permit in Morgantown

- Official or public notices or warnings required by law, regulation, ordinance, public utility, or court order, and signs erected by statutorily exempt public entities.
- Traffic signs on private property (e.g., stop, yield) that meet the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and contain no commercial message.
- Signs hanging or standing inside a building, not attached to a window or door, even if visible from a public street.
- Any sign inside an athletic field or other enclosed outdoor space.
- Works of art with no commercial message.
- Holiday decorations with no commercial message displayed between November 15 and January 15.
- On‑premise real estate signs indicating for sale, for lease, etc.
- Lettering attached to a business window or door that only describes hours of operation, street address, or other non‑commercial copy/logos.
- Yard sale signs.
- Signs attached to or painted onto service vehicles.
- Signs on fuel pumps that cannot generally be read from off the premises.
- Political signs.
- Signs erected by any entity legally exempt from municipal zoning.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required prior to erection for the sign types indicated in the permitted signs table; building and floodplain permits may also be required prior to issuance.
- A building permit is required for signs costing more than $250 (including labor and materials).
- Floodplain permits may be required where applicable.
- For B‑4 district signs requiring a permit and larger than six square feet, consultation with the Downtown Design Review Committee is required before approval.
- One sign permit application may include multiple signs on the same site; applications must include detailed drawings of dimensions, design, structure, and location.
- No new sign permit will be issued for a parcel that has an illegal sign (e.g., erected without a permit or not removed after business cessation).
- Temporary signs require a temporary sign permit; each permit allows a specified 30‑day period and is subject to limits on number and frequency as stated in the ordinance.
- Heights for pole, pylon, and billboard signs in the Interstate Sign Overlay District are to be determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Roofline signs in the B‑4 district may be allowed only as a conditional use and count toward the site’s total sign allotment.

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

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