# Sign Regulations in Saint Albans, West Virginia

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

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

## At a glance

Saint Albans, West Virginia regulates 10 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Signs in the C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District zoning district are capped at 42 inches (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit) or as per temporary sign allowances. tall and 32 square feet (wall); 16 square feet per side (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit); monument sign max 20 sq ft/each for special events. (Sec. 1333.16d). Most commercial signs in Saint Albans require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District | 6 | 42 inches (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit) or as per temporary sign allowances. | 32 square feet (wall); 16 square feet per side (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit); monument sign max 20 sq ft/each for special events. | — |
| Industrial Districts | 4 | 42 inches (temporary ground sign) | 32 sq ft (wall); 16 sq ft per side (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit); 20 sq ft (monument sign for special events). | — |
| CDB zoning district, UCD zoning district | 1 | 12 feet above ground | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | — | 2 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts | 3 | 42 inches (temporary ground sign) | 32 sq ft for wall sign, 16 sq ft/side for temporary ground, 20 sq ft monument sign (special events) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per road frontage for individual businesses and combined developments. | On the building wall facing a public street. | — | Appendix C, Table 7-1-C1; 1333.14c; 1333.16a; 1333.13b |
| Projecting/Suspended Sign | — | — | — | — | One per road frontage (in lieu of wall/canopy/awning sign). | On building, projecting from facade. | — | Appendix C; 1333.14d |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per road frontage (in lieu of wall/projecting sign). | On a canopy or awning attached to the building. | — | Appendix C |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage; one extra for >400 ft frontage. | On property, freestanding. | — | 1333.13e; 1333.16c |
| Temporary Sign | 42 inches (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit) or as per temporary sign allowances. | 32 square feet (wall); 16 square feet per side (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit); monument sign max 20 sq ft/each for special events. | — | — | 1 per permit; max 3 permits per business per year. | On private property; wall or ground as permitted. | — | 1333.16d |
| Window Sign | — | 25% (or 50%) of window area per window. | — | — | — | On or within windows. | — | 1333.14i |

### Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall facing street. | — | 1333.16a; 1333.14c |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property, freestanding. | — | 1333.13e; 1333.16c |
| Temporary Sign | 42 inches (temporary ground sign) | 32 sq ft (wall); 16 sq ft per side (temporary ground sign via temporary use permit); 20 sq ft (monument sign for special events). | — | — | 1 per permit, max 3 permits per year. | On private property; wall or ground as permitted. | — | 1333.16d |
| Window Sign | — | 25% or 50% per window. | — | — | — | On/within windows. | — | 1333.14i |

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | One per frontage; extra for >400 ft | — | — | 1333.16c; 1333.13e |
| Temporary Sign | 42 inches (temporary ground sign) | 32 sq ft for wall sign, 16 sq ft/side for temporary ground, 20 sq ft monument sign (special events) | — | — | — | On private property | — | 1333.16d |
| Window Sign | — | 25% (or 50%) per window | — | — | — | On windows | — | 1333.14i |

## Prohibited signs in Saint Albans

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer, except as specifically exempted.
- All signs not expressly permitted by these regulations are prohibited.
- Signs which incorporate flashing or moving lights, or any visible moving or revolving part, attention attracting device, except for time, temperature, or date signs.
- Banners, pennants, flags, spinners, or streamers, except as permitted in specific sections for temporary signs.
- Signs which obstruct or impair the vision of drivers or resemble any traffic sign/control device by reason of size, shape, location, color, or illumination.
- Signs which use words or symbols such as 'STOP', 'LOOK', 'DANGER', or similar, in a manner implying need to stop or existence of danger.
- Signs that obstruct free ingress or egress for a door, window, fire escape, or exit required by Building or Fire Code.
- Portable signs, except for those used as a temporary sign.
- Signs containing graphics or lettering illustrating specified sexual activities and/or specified anatomical areas.
- Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business, activity, campaign, service, or product, including real estate signs.
- Any sign not in compliance with regulations involving highway interstate standards and specifications.
- Roof signs.
- Merchandise, equipment, products, vehicles, or other items not for sale and placed for attention-getting, identification, or advertising purposes.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole.
- Any sign structure or frame no longer containing a sign.
- Any sign that is structurally or electrically unsafe.
- Temporary signs located in a public right-of-way.
- Off-premises signs.
- No shingle sign, projecting sign, or marquee sign shall be lower than nine feet above ground level.
- No sign shall be permitted to be erected unless the back of such structure is shielded from public view by a building, structure, planting, or painted/enclosed in a solid metal backing.
- Signs may not be constructed, erected, operated, used, or maintained without permission of the property owner or person in lawful possession/control.
- No signs shall be placed on or attached to any utility poles, street signs, or traffic control sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Saint Albans

- Servicing, repainting, cleaning, or changing the changeable copy message of an existing sign, except where such activity requires structural alterations.
- House number or nameplate identifying the occupant or address of a structure, with numbers at least four inches high.
- Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of a structure or parcel of property.
- Memorial or historical sign or tablet, or name of building and date of erection, when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or noncombustible material.
- Sign painted on or attached to a licensed, operational motor vehicle when said sign does not project higher or longer than the vehicle to which it is attached.
- Flag bearing the official design of the United States, State of West Virginia, or military branch, provided no part is lower than nine feet above a sidewalk.
- Traffic or other municipal sign, such as legal notice, railroad crossing, or danger or other emergency sign as approved by Public Works Committee or Chief of Police.
- Miscellaneous advisory signs less than two square feet, such as 'Beware of Dog' or 'No Trespassing'.
- Construction site signs advertising the owner, contractor, developer, materials supplier, etc., displayed temporarily during construction.
- Political signs that are entirely on private property with owner consent, not located on utility poles, trees, rocks, or natural features, are within maximum allowable area for the district, and are removed within thirty days after election or action.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for signs must be accompanied by accurate sketches and scaled drawings showing the proposed location of the sign.
- The Zoning Officer may require that the actual location of a proposed sign be based on a survey performed by a registered land surveyor or civil engineer and provided by the applicant.
- Prior to submitting a sign permit application, the applicant must contact the Zoning Officer to discuss conformance with the Ordinance.
- A permit is generally required to erect, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign unless the sign is specifically exempted.

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

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