1. Animated: A sign or part of a sign that moves or appears to move.

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1 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:1 ARTICLE 16 SIGNS Purpose and Intent The purpose of this article is to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance the physical appearance of the County, and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of certain areas. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distraction and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way, provide more open space, and curb the deterioration of the natural environment and enhance community development Conformance with Applicable Codes and Ordinances All signs shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this Article, and applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Where there is conflict between the provisions of this Article and applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, the most restrictive shall govern Definitions 1. Animated: A sign or part of a sign that moves or appears to move. 2. Accessory Structure: A sign relating only to uses of the premises on which the sign is located, or products sold on the premises on which the sign is located, or indicating the name or address of a building or occupants or management of a building on the premises where the sign is located. 3. Artistic Mural: A work of art (as a painting) applied to and made integral with a building a wall, fence, etc., that is prepared by/or under the direction of a skilled artist and shows imaginative skill in arrangement or execution. 4. Banner/Flag: A sign applied to cloth, paper, balloons or fabric of any kind. (Governmental flags or symbolic flags of religious, charitable, public or not-profit organizations shall not be considered banners or flags.) 5. Billboard Sign: See Off-Premise Sign. 6. Construction Sign: A freestanding sign erected during the construction of a project, with information including, but not limited to, the name of the project, architect, developer, engineer, builder, and/or leasing agent, the development schedule, and the address and/or telephone number for information. Such signs shall be removed at the time issuance of a permanent sign permit or the first occupancy permit, whichever is applicable.

2 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:2 7. Detached Sign: A sign not attached to or painted on a building, but which is affixed to the ground. A sign attached to a fence or a wall that is not part of building (such as a decorative or retaining wall) shall be considered a detached sign. 8. Directional Sign: An on-premise sign designed to guide vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic by using such words as Entrance, Exit, Parking, One-way, or similar directional instruction, but not including any advertising message. 9. Flashing Sign: An illuminated sign on which the artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use. Any sign which revolves or moves, whether illuminated or not, or a strobe type, shall be considered a flashing sign, including scrolling signs and signs which display time, temperature, date, and/or electronically controlled messages. 10. Flat Sign or Wall Sign: Any sign attached to, and erected parallel to the face of, or erected or painted on the outside wall of a building or structure and supported throughout its length by such wall or structure and not extending more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall. For the purpose of this section, wall area shall include flat structural surfaces such as canopy faces, but shall not include fences, retaining walls, decorative walls, light or telephone poles, or other surfaces, which are parts of the principal use. 11. Ground-Mounted Sign: A sign that is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of any support from any building. 12. Illuminated Sign: Any sign designed to give forth artificial light or designed to reflect light from one or more sources of artificial light erected for the purpose of providing light for the sign. 13. Indirectly Illuminated Sign: A sign which does not produce artificial light from within itself but which is opaque and back lighted or illuminated by spotlights or floodlights not a part of or attached to the sign itself, or a sign of translucent nontransparent material illuminated from within but with no exposed or exterior bulbs, tubes or other light source. 14. Marquee Sign: Any sign attached to or hung from a marquee. For the purpose of this article, a marquee is a covered structure projecting from and supported by the building with independent roof and drainage provisions and which is erected over a doorway or doorways as protection against weather. 15. Menu Board or Price Board: A permanently mounted sign displaying the menu of a drive-through restaurant. 16. Monument Sign: A ground mounted sign and its supporting structure including its base, sides or other ancillary or decorative features not attached to any building. For the purposes of this ordinance, a monument sign listing two or more businesses located on a property or in a shopping center and which is designed as one sign shall be considered one monument sign.

3 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:3 17. Off-Premise Sign: A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or establishment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is erected. 18. Off-Premise Directional Sign: An accessory sign designated and located to mark a site feature or assist in traffic operations or in locating a thing or place not on the same lot or development. A directional sign may contain an identifying mark, symbol or logo occupying not more than 25 percent of the area of the sign. 19. Portable Sign: A sign that is not permanently affixed to the ground or another structure and is capable of being moved by mechanical or non-mechanical means. 20. Projecting Sign: Any sign, other than a wall, awning or marquee sign, which is affixed to a building perpendicularly and is supported by bracketing to the surface on which is mounted. 21. Roof Sign: A sign erected or constructed, in whole or in part, upon or above the highest point of a building with a flat roof, or the lowest portion of a roof for any building with a pitched roof. 22. Sign: An identification, description, illustration, or device which is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or land and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, or business. 23. Sign Area: The surface area encompassed within any regular geometric figure (square, rectangle, circle, triangle, etc.), which would enclose all parts of the sign including the structural supports if it forms an integral part of the display. 24. Temporary Sign: Signs limited to ninety (90) days per calendar year and shall be located on vacant lots announcing an upcoming event (such as Coming Soon ) General Requirements The following regulations apply generally to all signs and are in addition to the regulations contained elsewhere in this Ordinance. 1. Sign Permit Required. No sign, unless herein exempted, shall be erected, constructed, posted, painted, altered, or relocated except as provided in this article and in these regulations, until a permit has been issued. Before any permit is issued, an application for zoning and an application for building permit are approved. All signs, which are electrically illuminated, shall require a separate electrical permit. 2. Inspection Required. Structural, safety, and electrical systems shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. No sign shall be approved for use unless it has been inspected by the department issuing the permit and is found to be in compliance with all the requirements of this Ordinance and applicable technical codes.

4 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:4 3. Prohibited Signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited. (a) Billboards and Off-Premise signs (b) Portable signs, including signs displayed on a stationary vehicle that is larger than 3 x 3 in size. (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) Flashing signs. No flashing signs of any kind shall be permitted in any district, except for signs which display time, temperature, date, and/or electronically controlled messages that change in 30 seconds or greater intervals are permitted by permit within the General Business District. Roof signs. Simulated Traffic Signs, or any sign that may be confused with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal. Signs so located and so illuminated as to provide a background of colored lights blending with traffic signal lights to the extent of confusing a motorist. Signs affixed to trees, public utility poles, support structures or any other unapproved supporting structure. Pennants, banners, flags, streamers and all other fluttering, spinning or similar type signs and advertising devices are prohibited except for national flags and flags of political subdivisions of the United States, and except for flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare organizations and seasonal/decorative flags as indicated by specific zoning districts. Artistic Murals 4. Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempted from the provisions of these regulations and may be erected or constructed without a permit. (a) Official traffic signs, warning signs, re-zoning, conditional use, and the like, when required to be erected by a governmental agency, and temporary signs indicating danger. (b) Commemorative plaques and historical markers erected by a recognized historical agency or governmental body. (b) Address or Identification sign, indicating the address and/or names of occupants of the premises, not exceeding five (5) square feet in area. (c) Flags, emblems and insignia of any governmental agency or religious, charitable, public or non-profit organization; provided, however, that no single flag shall exceed fifty (50) square feet in area and no single zoning lot shall display more than three (3) such flags.

5 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:5 (d) Handicapped Parking Space Signs. (e) Non-illuminated signs warning trespassers or announcing property as posted not exceeding 1.5 sq. ft. in area. (f) Political campaign signs on private property up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area. (g) Real estate signs not exceeding five (5) square feet in area for residential or agricultural districts and not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area in any commercial districts. No real estate sign shall exceed a height of six (6) feet. One such sign is permitted per parcel. (h) Construction signs not to exceed one (1) per road frontage. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet and are limited to a maximum height of six (6) feet. Such signs shall be removed within fourteen (14) days following completion of the project. (i) Temporary signs on vacant lots announcing an upcoming event (such as Coming Soon ). Such signs shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. Temporary sign usage is limited to no more than ninety (90) days per calendar year. (j) Up to three (3) off-premise directional signs per organization for a total of up to four (4) square feet between the (3) signs, with approval by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Such sign exemption is for events occurring within King & Queen County only. The sign(s) may be placed 24 hours prior to the event date and shall be removed within 24 hours after the event date. Failure to do so may cause for removal/disposal of the sign(s) by King & Queen County. (k) Signs on a truck, bus or other vehicle, while in use in the normal course of business. Signs displayed on a stationary vehicle that are smaller than 3 x 3 in size Signs Permitted by District 1. Agricultural District (a) General Regulations 1. Minimum Setbacks: (a) Ten (10) feet from Front Yard property line. (b) Forty (40) feet from Side Yard property line. (c) Ten (10) feet from all public rights-of-way. 2. The following Signs are Permitted:

6 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:6 (a) One (1) Home Occupation or Home Business sign limited to six (6) square feet and a maximum height of four (4) feet. (b) One (1) Nameplate limited to five (5) square feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet, to identify the owner or occupant of a dwelling or building. (c) A sign, limited to ten (10) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet, for identification of a residence, farm, and/or permitted agricultural or commercial use. (d) No trespassing or No Hunting/Fishing signs, without limitations on number or placement, limited in area to 1.5 square feet (also see other exempt signs). In addition one (1) No-trespassing or No Hunting sign of six (6) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet may be erected. (e) Any Public/Institutional/Recreational/Other use. One (1) sign with a maximum sign of thirty (30) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet. Sign area may be increased to forty (40) square feet for a ground or monument type with a maximum height of four (4) feet. (f) One Residential Community Sign which displays the name of the development shall be permitted at the main entrance. The sign may not exceed sixty (60) total square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height. The sign may be located fifteen (15) feet or more from any street other than the development entry street, and shall be neatly maintained. A residential community in this context shall mean any single family, townhouse, apartment, condominium, or mixed residential development. (g) National flags and flags of political subdivisions of the United States, flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare organizations and seasonal/decorative flags shall be allowed with no limit on size and number. 2. Residential Districts (a) General Regulations 1. Minimum Setbacks: (a) Twenty (20) feet from Front Yard property line. (b) Twenty five (25) feet from Side Yard property line. (c) Ten (10) feet from all public rights-of-way. 2. The Following Signs are Permitted: (a) One Residential Community Sign which displays the name of the development shall be permitted at the main entrance. The sign may not exceed sixty (60) total square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height. The sign may be located fifteen (15) feet or more from any street other than the

7 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:7 development entry street, and shall be neatly maintained. A residential community in this context shall mean any single family, townhouse, apartment, condominium, or mixed residential development. (b) Any Public/Institutional/Recreational/Other use. One (1) sign with a maximum sign area of thirty (30) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet. Sign area may be increased to forty (40) square feet for a ground or monument type with a maximum height of four (4) feet. (c) Management office sign limited to ten (10) square feet, for multiple dwelling or group of multiple-family dwellings. (d) A name plate or directional sign, limited in area to two (2) square feet and a maximum height of six (6) feet, to identify the owner or occupant of a dwelling or building. (e) National flags and flags of political subdivisions of the United States, flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare organizations and seasonal/decorative flags shall be allowed with no limit on size and number. 3. Business Districts (a) General Regulations 1. Minimum Setbacks: (a) Twenty (20) feet from Front Yard property line. (b) Fifteen (15) feet from Side Yard property line, except adjacent to properties in any zoning district which permits residential uses, shall not be less than fifty (50) feet. (c) Ten (10) feet from all public rights-of-way. 2. The Following Signs are Permitted: (a) Flat Wall Signs. One sign not to exceed 40 sq. ft. in size or up to 2 signs not to exceed a total combined size of 40 sq. ft. shall be permitted. Multiple permitted uses on a single parcel such as a shopping center, exceeding 5,000 sq. ft in building size may have one flat wall sign per business type or leased space/unit not to exceed 40 sq. ft. provided that a projecting sign is not also used. Multiple permitted uses on a single parcel such as a shopping center, less than 5,000 sq. ft. in building size may have one flat wall sign per business type or leased space/unit not to exceed 20 sq. ft. provided that a projecting sign is not also used. (See projecting signs below). No sign shall be higher than the building. (b) Projecting Signs: One projecting sign shall be allowed per business, not exceeding 12 sq. ft. in size. Should a projecting sign be installed, the maximum square footage allowed for a flat wall sign shall be 20 sq. ft.

8 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:8 (c) One (1) Detached Sign per single parcel, maximum sign area of sixteen (16) square feet and a maximum height of eight feet. Sign area may be increased to thirty two (32) square feet for a ground or monument type and a maximum height of four (4) feet provided a minimum road frontage of two hundred (200) feet. For multiple permitted uses on a single parcel such as a shopping center, a four (4) square foot increase shall be permitted for each additional permitted use, provided that the maximum sign area when computed is less than one hundred (100) square feet and a maximum height of twelve (12) feet. (d) Accessory signs, placed on fuel pumps and specifying the price of the fuel dispensed from the pump, other products for sale on the premises, or other services available on site (no larger than two (2) square feet of area per sign face), are permitted in addition to the signs permitted. (e) Directional signs limited to two (2) square feet each, no limit on number. (f) National flags and flags of political subdivisions of the United States, flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare organization and seasonal/decorative flags no larger than 3 x 5 in size shall be limited to 5 total per parcel. 4. Industrial Districts (a) General Regulations 1. Minimum Setbacks: (a) Thirty (30) feet from Front Yard property line. (b) Thirty (30) feet from Side Yard property line, except for lots, which abut property in non-industrial districts, then one hundred (100) feet. (c) Twenty five (25) feet from any public rights-of way. 2. The Following Signs are Permitted: (a) Flat Wall Signs: One per wall which is parallel to a street no greater than 50 sq. ft. in size provided that a projecting sign is not used (see projecting signs below). (b) Projecting Signs: One projecting sign shall be allowed per business, not exceeding 12 sq. ft. in size. Should a projecting sign be installed, the maximum square footage allowed for a flat wall sign shall be reduced to 30 sq. ft. (c) Detached Signs for Industrial Zoned Property not located in an Industrial Park: thirty two (32) square feet and a maximum height of twelve (12) feet. Sign area may be increased to sixty (60) square feet for a ground or monument

9 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16:9 type with a maximum height of eight (8) feet. (d) Industrial Park: One ground or monument type sign containing solely the name of the Industrial Park and not containing the name of any business located therein shall be allowed per Industrial Park and shall not exceed the size of one hundred (100) square feet and fifteen (15) feet in height and shall be located near a common shared entrance. (e) Directional signs, limited to six (6) square feet of sign area, no limit on number. No limit on size or number in Industrial Parks. (f) In addition to the sign regulations of this ordinance, sign messages for adult establishments shall be limited to the name of the business and hours of operation and shall not provide any graphic or pictorial depiction of the material or services available on the premises. Signage and messages which are visible or intended to be visible from outside the property (such as those appearing on or within the doors or windows) shall not display materials, items, publications, pictures, films or printed material available on the premises; or picture films or live presentation of persons performing or services offered on the premises Non-Conforming Signs 1. Non-conforming Sign, Generally. Any sign which was lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this Ordinance which does not conform to the provisions herein, and any sign which is accessory to a non-conforming use, shall be deemed a non-conforming sign. No non-conforming sign shall be enlarged, extended, or structurally reconstructed. 2. Removal of Non-conforming Signs. Non-conforming signs may remain, provided they are kept in good repair. (a) No nonconforming sign shall be moved on the same lot or building or to another lot or building unless the sign is relocated and/or is modified to comply with all requirements of this article. (b) If a nonconforming sign is damaged or in need of repair, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the property owner in writing stating that the owner is to repair or remove the sign within 90 days. Failure to meet the 90 day period will result in the loss of the legal non-conforming status of the sign, and the sign shall be removed. Failure to comply shall be considered a violation of this ordinance Maintenance of Signs All signs shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a neat and orderly appearance. The zoning administrator may give written notice to remove or repair, within 90 days, any sign which shows gross neglect or which becomes dilapidated. Failure to comply shall be considered a violation of this ordinance.

10 ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 16, SIGNS PAGE 16: Abandoned Signs A sign, including its supporting structure or brackets, shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer on the premises. Such sign, if not removed within 90 days from the termination of occupancy by such business shall be considered to be in violation of this chapter, and shall be removed at the owner s expense.