Newport News sign permit requirements

Yes, a sign permit is required before constructing, erecting, enlarging, altering or displaying any sign; no permit required for signs permitted in 33.01-6(b)(1) or for nonstructural maintenance/copy change.

“Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, erect, enlarge, alter or display any sign covered by Article I until a sign permit therefor has been issued by the zoning administrator.”

1 sq ft of sign area per linear foot of building frontage per each frontage; minimum 32 sq ft allowed when frontage is less than 32 linear feet

“Building sign area on each building frontage shall be limited to one (1) square foot of sign area per linear foot of that building frontage.”

0.50 sq ft per linear foot of public street frontage, not to exceed 100 sq ft per sign

“Fifty one hundredths (.50) square feet of sign area shall be permitted per linear foot of public street frontage, provided the area for any one (1) freestanding signs shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet per sign.”

15 feet

“Maximum sign height shall be fifteen (15) feet.”

At least 15 ft from paved portion of adjacent street (and no closer than front property line); 25 ft from side and rear boundaries

“Front yard setback: Signs shall not be located closer than fifteen (15) feet from the paved portion of the adjacent street, provided that in all cases signs shall be set back to at least the front property line.”

25% of each individual window opening (determined individually, not collectively); permitted only on ground floor

“Window signs which do not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of each individual window opening (determined individually and not collectively) shall be permitted.”

Signs may be illuminated; illuminated window signs count against building sign area. For electronic display signs: no greater than 10,000 nits sunrise-sunset / 700 nits sunset-sunrise, and no electronic sign within 250 ft of a dwelling district may be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

“no such sign shall be allowed in any historic district. In addition, no electronic display sign visible from and within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any portion of a single or multiple family dwelling district shall be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.”

Allowed by right for commercial/industrial uses as freestanding signs (not as building signs); max 1 per developed site; max 10 ft height; max 32 sq ft per sign face; displays must remain static at least 5 seconds with instantaneous re-pixelization; flashing/scrolling/blinking prohibited; brightness limits 10,000 nits day / 700 nits night with automatic dimming; no audio speakers

“All electronic displays shall remain static for a period of at least five (5) seconds, and automatic change sequences shall be accomplished by means of instantaneous re-pixelization. Flashing, scrolling, blinking or any other type of intermittent illumination of elements of the display shall be prohibited;”

One temporary sign per street frontage (max 32 sq ft for multiple-family, commercial, industrial and public property) up to 3 times per calendar year, not to exceed 30 consecutive days per event

“one (1) temporary sign per street frontage, not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet, may be displayed on multiple-family, commercial, industrial and public property any time up to three (3) times per calendar year not to exceed a total of thirty (30) consecutive days per event.”

Posters/temporary signs on public property; temporary signs (flags, banners, pennants, festoons) except as exempted; vehicular signs parked to display; signs projecting above roof ridge or parapet; animated signs; portable signs; nonconforming off-premises highway signs

“Signs projecting above the top or ridge of any roof, or above the parapet if higher.”

Values reported are for commercial/industrial uses. The chapter varies by use/district (residential, multiple-family, community facility, commercial/industrial) and has special overlay/historic district provisions.

“Commercial/industrial uses shall be permitted the following signage:”