# Sign Regulations in Ranson, West Virginia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ranson, West Virginia (WV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/ranson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-29
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/wv/ranson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH19ZO_S19-15SI)

## At a glance

Ranson, West Virginia regulates 33 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the T4 (General Urban) zoning district are capped at 6 ft max tall and 36 sq ft, with a Minimum 5-ft setback from property boundaries setback (Sec. Sec. 19-15(e)(8); Table 19-15F). Most commercial signs in Ranson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential (R-6) district, Residential (R-7) district | 9 | 8 ft max | 24 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial (HC) district, Racetrack Commercial (RC) district | 21 | 42 inches max | 40 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (I) districts | 16 | 8 ft max | 40 sq ft | — |
| TND-MUX district, TND-NCX district, TND-UCX district | 16 | 42 inches max | 40 sq ft | — |
| T1 (Natural) | 9 | 8 ft max | 25% of window | — |
| T2 (Rural), T3 (Sub-Urban) | 10 | 8 ft max | 25% of window | — |
| T4 (General Urban) | 21 | 42 inches max | 150 sq ft | — |
| T5 (Urban Center) | 21 | 42 inches max | 150 sq ft | — |
| SDB | 22 | 42 inches max | 40 sq ft | — |
| SDI | 22 | 42 inches max | 250 sq ft | — |
| RV park and campground overlay zoning district | 5 | 15 ft max | 90 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### T4 (General Urban)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Temporary - Construction) | 8 ft max | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On development parcel at directional points | — | Sec. 19-15(d)(1); Table 19-15F |
| Directional (non-electric) | 3 ft max | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On private property at directional points | — | Table 19-15F |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft max | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 5-ft setback from property boundaries | 1 per parcel | Freestanding, monolithic (bottom flush with ground) | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(8); Table 19-15F |
| On-premises Directional | 4 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | n/a | On premises to guide traffic | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(9); Table 19-15F |
| Outdoor Display Cases | 6 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Mounted outdoors on building exterior | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(10); Table 19-15F |
| Real-Estate (Temporary) | 5 ft max | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the premises offered for sale/lease | — | Sec. 19-15(c)(9); Table 19-15F |
| Sidewalk Signs (Temporary) | 42 inches max | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per ground floor tenant | At entrance; may be within right-of-way where permitted | — | Sec. 19-15(c)(8); Table 19-15F |
| Yard Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 3 ft from property line | 1 per parcel | Installed on single- or double-post | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(11); Table 19-15F |

### SDB

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Temporary - Construction) | 8 ft max | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On development parcel at directional points | — | Sec. 19-15(d)(1); Table 19-15F |
| Directional (non-electric) | 3 ft max | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On private property at directional points | — | Table 19-15F |
| Menu Boards | 8 ft max | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Internal to site; not visible from a public right-of-way or civic space | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(7); Table 19-15F |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft max | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 5-ft setback from property boundaries | 1 per parcel | Freestanding, monolithic (bottom flush with ground) | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(8); Table 19-15F |
| On-premises Directional | 4 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | n/a | On premises to guide traffic | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(9); Table 19-15F |
| Outdoor Display Cases | 6 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Mounted outdoors on building exterior | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(10); Table 19-15F |
| Real-Estate (Temporary) | 5 ft max | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the premises offered for sale/lease | — | Sec. 19-15(c)(9); Table 19-15F |
| Yard Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 3 ft from property line | 1 per parcel | Installed on single- or double-post | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(11); Table 19-15F |

### SDI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Temporary - Construction) | 8 ft max | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On development parcel at directional points | — | Sec. 19-15(d)(1); Table 19-15F |
| Directional (non-electric) | 3 ft max | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per directional point per parcel | On private property at directional points | — | Table 19-15F |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft max | 250 sq ft | — | Minimum 10-ft setback from property boundaries; minimum 10 ft from fire hydrants or emergency apparatus | 1 per development | Detached; adjacent to highway frontage of a shopping complex only | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(5); Table 19-15F |
| Menu Boards | 8 ft max | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Internal to site; not visible from a public right-of-way or civic space | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(7); Table 19-15F |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft max | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 5-ft setback from property boundaries | 1 per parcel | Freestanding, monolithic (bottom flush with ground) | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(8); Table 19-15F |
| On-premises Directional | 4 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | n/a | On premises to guide traffic | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(9); Table 19-15F |
| Outdoor Display Cases | 6 ft max | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Mounted outdoors on building exterior | — | Sec. 19-15(e)(10); Table 19-15F |
| Real-Estate (Temporary) | 5 ft max | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the premises offered for sale/lease | — | Sec. 19-15(c)(9); Table 19-15F |

## Prohibited signs in Ranson

- All nongovernmental signs must be for an active on‑premises business; signs for discontinued businesses must be removed within 30 days (Sec. 19-15(b)(1)).
- Signs shall not obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress (Sec. 19-15(b)(4)c).
- Nongovernmental signs shall not be attached to or painted on power poles, light poles, telephone poles, traffic signs, trees, or other objects not intended to support a sign (Sec. 19-15(b)(4)d).
- Illumination is limited to natural lighting, external lighting lit from above, and halo/backlit channel letters; digital/electronic signs are only allowed for marquees/cinemas/civic buildings and gas price signs (Sec. 19-15(b)(5)).
- Nongovernmental signs shall not be erected upon, placed, or encroach upon public rights‑of‑way, except as otherwise provided (Sec. 19-15(b)(6)).
- Signs shall not extend closer than one foot to the vertical edge of a building corner, or to the fascia, roofline or parapet (Sec. 19-15(b)(7)b).
- All signs attached to a building shall not extend above eaves or parapets (Sec. 19-15(b)(7)c).
- Signs shall not create a visual obstruction to vehicular traffic at intersections and driveways (Sec. 19-15(b)(7)e).
- Sign‑makers’ logos, labels, or other identification are prohibited on signs (Sec. 19-15(b)(9)c).
- Vinyl applied copy is prohibited except for window and awning signs (Sec. 19-15(b)(9)d).
- Any sign that obscures or is likely to be confused with a sign displayed by public authority (traffic instructions, direction, or public information) is prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(1)–(3)).
- Signs using words like “stop” or “danger,” or similar to traffic control signs in color/design/appearance, are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(2)–(3)).
- Signs with rotating, flashing, moving, or alternating lights are prohibited (except where otherwise provided) (Sec. 19-15(f)(4)).
- Roof signs erected or maintained upon, over, or above the roof or parapet are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(5)).
- Feather banners are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(6)).
- Flashing, fluttering, swinging, or rotating signs are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(7)).
- Pennants, balloons, streamers, and air dancers are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(8)).
- Off‑premises signs are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(9)).
- Outdoor advertising signs (“billboards”) are prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(10)).
- Vehicular signs on parked vehicles used primarily for advertising are prohibited (business identification on vehicles primarily used for other business purposes is allowed) (Sec. 19-15(f)(11)).
- Any sign not expressly allowed by these regulations is prohibited (Sec. 19-15(f)(12)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Ranson

- Address and identification signs bearing only property numbers, PO box numbers, names of occupants, or other noncommercial premises identification (Sec. 19-15(c)(1)).
- Awning signs with logo/copy applied to an existing awning, subject to: awning not exceeding tenant space width; max one emblem/logo per awning; awning sign not exceeding 30 feet horizontal width; separate building permit required for awning installation/replacement (Sec. 19-15(c)(2)).
- Flags and insignia of any government (not in connection with commercial promotion); permanent flagpole installation requires a building permit (Sec. 19-15(c)(3)).
- Home occupation signs attached to the building face, non‑illuminated, with a valid city business license for the home occupation (Sec. 19-15(c)(4)).
- Legal notices, identification, information, or directional signs erected or required by government bodies (Sec. 19-15(c)(5)).
- Memorial signs, plaques, historic markers, or grave markers that are noncommercial (Sec. 19-15(c)(6)).
- Public interest signs on private property displaying safety/legal information (e.g., warning and no trespassing) (Sec. 19-15(c)(7)).
- Sidewalk signs (freestanding, double‑sided temporary) at business entrances in pedestrian environments, allowed within the public right‑of‑way if removed at close of business or during hazardous weather and maintaining a minimum five‑foot clear sidewalk space (Sec. 19-15(c)(8)).
- Temporary real estate, construction, and planned development signs that are non‑illuminated (Sec. 19-15(c)(9)).
- Temporary yard signs (freestanding, double‑sided) on private property, non‑illuminated, removed after no more than 60 consecutive days or during hazardous weather (Sec. 19-15(c)(10)).
- Window signs with copy area adhered to glass windows or doors (Sec. 19-15(c)(11)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A building permit (sign permit) is required to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or replace any sign unless specifically exempt (Sec. 19-15(b)(3)).
- Development (construction) signs require a permit and may not be erected until approval of the final site plan or Land Development Plan and Plat (LDPP) by the planning commission; they must be removed upon completion of active work or if work ceases for more than 90 days (Sec. 19-15(d)(1)).
- Administrative waivers under Chapter 19A §1.5.3 may allow: increased area/number of menu boards; addition of changeable copy to monument signs; increased area/number of on‑premises directional signs; increased area/number of outdoor display cases (Sec. 19-15(e)(7)c, (8)e, (9)b, (10)c).
- Variances or special exceptions to sign standards would follow the Board of Zoning Appeals procedures (application, notice, hearing, findings) in Sec. 19-18(d) and Sec. 19-18(f).
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in Sec. 19-15; however, multi‑tenant buildings/complexes must coordinate signage in terms of scale, placement, colors, and materials (Sec. 19-15(b)(9)e).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/west-virginia/ranson