# Sign Regulations in Moundsville, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Moundsville, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/moundsville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Moundsville, West Virginia regulates 32 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Flag (Accessory to Dwelling)s in the Single-Family Residential District, Multi-Family Residential District, Recreation-Conservation District zoning district are capped at 25 ft. tall and 16 sq. ft., with a Not within 5 ft of service drive, travel lane or street setback (Sec. 1364.09(c),(d), 1364.03(b)). Most commercial signs in Moundsville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Up to 25 ft, unless otherwise limited in zone or table | 25% of total area of window/door per window/door; non-commercial window signs on dwellings max 25% of windows/facade, removed within 90 days; permanent window signs aggregate must not exceed 25%. Counts towards maximum sign area. | — |
| Single-Family Residential District, Multi-Family Residential District, Recreation-Conservation District | 15 | 25 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Mixed Use District, Historic and Neighborhood Commercial Districts | 16 | 25 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Corridor Commercial District, Industrial District | 18 | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — |

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

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minor Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 ft. | Included in 4 sq ft max per use | — | — | No more than two per use | On dwelling | — | 1364.09(a), 1364.03(e) |
| Temporary Sign (Accessory to Dwelling) | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | No more than four (non-commercial)(see exemptions) | On property | — | 1364.09(a),(d); 1364.03(d)(4) |
| Changeable Message Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property of non-dwelling | — | 1364.09(b),(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property of non-dwelling use | — | 1364.09(b),(d) |
| Monument Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property of non-dwelling use | — | 1364.09(b),(d) |
| Wall Sign (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | Multiple allowed so long as total sign area not exceeded. | On building of non-dwelling | — | 1364.09(b),(d) |
| Flag (Accessory to Dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Not within 5 ft of service drive, travel lane or street | One per dwelling | On property | — | 1364.09(c),(d), 1364.03(b) |
| Flag (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | Not within 5 ft of service drive, travel lane or street | Two per non-dwelling | On property | — | 1364.09(c),(d), 1364.03(b) |

### Mixed Use District, Historic and Neighborhood Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | Multiple allowed as long as total sign area not exceeded. | On building | — | 1364.10(b),(d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.10(b),(d) |
| A-frame Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.10(b),(d), 1364.03(f) |
| Awning Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On awning | — | 1364.10(b),(d) |
| Canopy Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On canopy | — | 1364.10(b),(d) |
| Banner | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.10(b),(d), 1364.03(d)(6) |
| Chalkboard Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.10(b),(d) |
| Flag (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | Not within 5 ft of street or travel lanes | Two per non-dwelling | On property | — | 1364.10(c), (d); 1364.03(b) |

### Corridor Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | Multiple allowed so long as total sign area not exceeded | On building | — | 1364.11(b),(e) |
| Freestanding Sign | 120 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.11(b),(e) |
| A-frame Sign | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.11(b),(e), 1364.03(f) |
| Awning Sign | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On awning | — | 1364.11(b),(e) |
| Canopy Sign | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On canopy | — | 1364.11(b),(e) |
| Banner | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.11(b),(e), 1364.03(d)(6) |
| Chalkboard Sign | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One per use | On property | — | 1364.11(b),(e) |
| Flag (Accessory to Non-dwelling) | 25 ft. | 16 sq. ft. each | — | Not within 5 ft of street or travel lanes | Two per non-dwelling | On property | — | 1364.11(d), (e); 1364.03(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Moundsville

- Signs not expressly permitted by right or by conditional use permit under this code are prohibited.
- Signs that violate any law of the state 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.
- Freestanding signs more than twenty-five (25) feet in height.
- Signs hanging from supports, except against the face of a building.
- Animated signs (except where the message changes no more often than every seven seconds).
- Flashing signs or other signs displaying flashing, scrolling, or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except where expressly permitted within this article.
- 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.
- Any electronic sign generated by a series of moving images (e.g., LED, digital display, or video technology), whether displayed on a building, vehicle, or mobile unit.
- Pole signs less than four (4) 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, or signs on the roof surface or extending above the roofline or parapet wall.
- Any sign located in the vision triangle formed by any two intersecting streets and alley.
- Window signs with an aggregate area on a window or door in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) 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.
- No sign or advertisement may stand on any street or sidewalk.
- No sign may project over any street, sidewalk, or public right of way unless it is at least ten feet above such and in no case shall it extend more than eighteen inches over.
- No unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device, which purports to be or resembles an official traffic control device, or attempts to direct movement of traffic or hides/interferes with effectiveness of such official sign or device, is allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Moundsville

- Signs erected by a governmental body or required by law.
- Flags up to sixteen (16) square feet in size not containing any commercial advertising, provided no freestanding pole is erected in the public right-of-way nor within five feet of a service drive, travel lane, or adjoining street.
- Changing the messages on marquees and repair of an existing permitted sign (except nonconforming sign repairs must comply with code).
- Temporary signs: one sign, no illumination, no more than twelve square feet on property with an active building permit.
- Temporary signs: one sign up to twelve square feet/6 feet high for dwelling for sale/rent; two signs up to thirty-two square feet/8 feet high on commercial property for sale/rent.
- Official notices or advertisements posted by or under direction of public or court officers, provided they are removed within 10 days after purpose is accomplished.
- On dwellings, up to four non-commercial temporary signs with total area no more than twelve square feet, removed within ninety days after being erected.
- On dwellings, non-commercial window signs not exceeding 25% of total window area per façade, removed within ninety days after being erected.
- Banners for opening new businesses or residential communities for not more than fifteen days.
- Two minor signs per use.
- A-frame signs more than fifty feet from nearest public right of way.
- Pavement markings (flush with paved surface).
- Permanent window sign, provided aggregate area on each window/door does not exceed 25% of total window/door area (counts toward total allowable sign square footage on property).
- Traffic signals and signs erected by the city or Department of Highways are exempt from general street/sidewalk prohibitions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required prior to the display and erection of any sign, except as otherwise provided.
- Permits for wall signs in excess of one hundred (100) square feet require a public hearing within forty-five (45) days of a completed application. Public notice must be given at least ten days prior, and certified mail notice must be sent to property owners within 200 feet.
- Variance or appeal of sign permit denial or approval is available through the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Applicants for wall signs must provide: express permission from building owner/operator; name/address of person applying; and a clear drawing with 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 Moundsville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Moundsville+WV&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-moundsville

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