Roanoke

Commemorative plaques, historical markers, and signs which have special historical value or significance to the community, provided such signs are erected by a government body and do not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in sign area.

Nameplates not exceeding two (2) square feet in sign area.

Neighborhood identification signs, displaying only the name of the neighborhood and not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in sign area.

Address sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in sign area.

The following signs and sign characteristics shall be prohibited in all zoning districts: (a) Animated signs including feather signs. (b) Flashing signs...

The following signs and sign characteristics shall be prohibited in all zoning districts: (a) Animated signs including feather signs. (b) Flashing signs... (c) Inflatable signs... (d) Laser light or image projection signs... (e) Off-site directional signs... (f) Pennants or streamers. (g) Portable signs... (h) Projecting signs erected with their lowest portions above a height of twenty-five (25) feet above adjacent ground level. (i) Roof signs... (j) Searchlight or beacon signs... (k) Snipe signs. (l) Any sign located within or over a public right-of-way... (m) Any sign that contains beacons of light resembling or simulating any emergency service vehicle or equipment. (n) Any sign using traffic symbols or colors of red, amber, and green... (o) Any sign attached partially or wholly to the pitched or flat roof of a building... (p) Any sign that produces sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or vapor.

It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, install, structurally alter, modify, relocate, or replace any sign or sign structure, except for those exempted signs set forth in Section 36.2-661(c) and those exempted from the permit requirements as set forth in Section 36.2-673(a), without first obtaining a zoning permit pursuant to this section.

A zoning permit for a sign shall become null and void if the sign is not erected within six (6) months after the date the zoning permit is issued. Upon written request and for good cause shown, the Zoning Administrator may grant one (1) six-month extension.

The Zoning Administrator may order the removal of any nonconforming sign that has been abandoned. For purposes of this section, a sign shall be considered abandoned if the business or use for which the sign was erected has not been in operation for a period of at least two (2) years.

When any sign is illuminated, such lights shall be enclosed in the sign, or if external, such external light source shall be located, shielded, or directed so as to concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign face and so that the point source of the light is not visible from any adjacent street or lot.

Changeable copy signs shall abut or connect with a static sign face, and the changeable copy portion of the sign shall not exceed eighty (80) percent of the overall sign of which it is a part.

Changeable copy signs shall abut or connect with a static sign face, and the changeable copy portion of the sign shall not exceed eighty (80) percent of the overall sign of which it is a part.

Electronic readerboard signs shall be subject to these requirements: (1) The electronic readerboard shall abut or connect with a static sign face. (2) The electronic readerboard portion of the sign shall constitute no more than forty (40) percent of the total sign area of which it is an integral part. (3) An electronic readerboard in a CN, D, IN, UC, or CG District shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area. (4) The frequency of change of copy shall be established so that each display of copy remains static with no animation for at least six (6) seconds before changing to new copy. (5) An electronic readerboard shall be controlled so that the night-time illumination level does not exceed three-tenths (0.3) footcandles over ambient light...

no on-premises freestanding sign, nor any part of such sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than eighteen (18) inches in width or diameter, shall be located lower than nine (9) feet from grade within any sight distance triangle.

In addition to the regulations set forth in Table 668-1, no on-premises freestanding sign, nor any part of such sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than eighteen (18) inches in width or diameter, shall be located lower than nine (9) feet from grade within any sight distance triangle.

No building-mounted sign, except for a projecting sign, shall cover, cross, or otherwise hide any cornice, column, belt course, window, or balcony of a building, or any portion of such feature.

Window signs shall be permitted at up to fifty (50) percent of the window area to which they are applied or attached, from which they are suspended, or through which they are displayed and shall not be counted towards building-mounted sign area. Window signs exceeding fifty (50) percent of the window area to which they are applied or attached, from which they are suspended, or through which they are displayed are prohibited.

Temporary signs shall be permitted in Multiple Purpose, Industrial, and Planned Unit Development Districts subject to the following standards.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, no temporary sign shall be displayed for more than sixty (60) days of a calendar year.

The maximum area of a temporary sign is thirty-two (32) square feet. The maximum height is six (6) feet. One (1) temporary sign is permitted for each lot frontage.