Department of Development & Permits - Plan Review & Code Compliance Division - Zoning Administration

Signs on Motor Vehicles

Section 14-705, F. of the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance regulates advertising which appears on motor vehicles.  It reads as follows:

1. The vehicle must be licensed according to state and local requirements.

2. The vehicle shall not be used primarily as an advertising display.

3. The vehicle shall not be parked/stored in any required yard adjacent to a street, with the following exceptions:

   1. vehicles engaged in actual loading and unloading operations, or other bona fide business activities;

   2. vehicles totally obscured from view from the street by an opaque fence or other screen;

   3. vehicles on which the sign graphics attached or painted upon it does not exceed an area or four square feet;

   4. vehicles for which no alternative parking space can be made available on the site.

The term “required yard” refers to the building setback distance required for a particular zoning district.  This can vary from 25 to 50 feet.  Please refer to the illustration on the next page for additional information.

Section 14-705, F is intended to prohibit motor vehicles from being used as advertising where freestanding business signs are prohibited or specially regulated. 

If you have any questions, please call Zoning Administration (757) 382-8454 and a Zoning Inspector will be available to assist you.