Signs
Definition
The City of Chesapeake recognizes the business community's need to promote their individual products and services. In order to promote safe, attractive and functional highway vistas, the City adopted a uniform set of regulations related to signs. Signs are considered accessory structures/uses which are regulated in Section 14-700 through 14-710 of the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance (CZO). The regulations are referred to as the Sign Ordinance. As a business in Chesapeake, you are permitted certain specific types of sign displays while others are prohibited. Sign displays can be broken down into three basic types:
- Permanent signs
- Temporary signs
- Prohibited signs
Signs
Signs are defined, per the Zoning Ordinance, as any object, device, display, or structure, or part thereof, visible from a public place, a public right-of-way, any parking area or right-of-way open to use by the general public, any navigable body of water, or any adjoining property, which is designed and used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything know in relation to an institution, organization, business, product, message, service, event or location by any means involving any letter, word, numeral, figure, device, emblem, logo, pictorial presentation, illustration or decoration, symbol or trademark, flag, festoon or banner or any combination thereof.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "sign" as used in this Ordinance shall be deemed to include the components of such sign, including the sign graphics; the sign area; the sign face; the placard, device, structure or fixture on which the display appears; and any support structure constructed for the purpose of supporting the display, regardless of whether any display is on the structure.
The term "sign" is not intended to include independent works of art, such as sculpture, statuary, or paintings, unless such works contain words, symbols or images associated with a service or product being offered, produced or conducted at the site or on another site. (Reference - Section 14-703, Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance)
Permanent Signs
Permanent signs are the freestanding, ground, and wall-mounted signs that are customary in all business locations. A one-time permit is required for this type of sign to be erected and usually remains in place for the life of the business. Permanent signs must meet certain size (sign area), height, and setback requirements before they can be installed. For the most part, these types of signs are fabricated and installed by professional sign companies that are familiar with Sign Ordinance requirements.
Example of requirements for a ground-mounted / monument sign (PDF)
Table A – Permanent Signage
Signs Permitted in Residential Districts
Land Use | Freestanding Signs | Wall Signs | Ground Signs | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single-family and Two-family | Number of signs: 1 per dwelling unit Maximum cumulative sign area: 2 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 6 feet from property line | Number of signs: 1 per dwelling unit Maximum cumulative sign area: 2 square feet | Not permitted | Yes |
Multi-family; uses not otherwise noted | Number of signs: <100 ft. lot frontage: 0 >=100 ft lot frontage: 1 Maximum cumulative sign area: 32 square feet Setback: 5 feet from right-of-way | Number of signs: 1 per 50 feet of building frontage Maximum cumulative sign area: 32 square feet Maximum area per sign face: 8 square feet | Number of signs: Located at a vehicular entrance to the site: 1 per entrance All other locations: no maximum Maximum sign area per face: 9 square feet Maximum height: 2.5 feet | Yes |
Signs Permitted in Agricultural & Conservation Districts
Land Use | Freestanding Signs | Wall Signs | Ground Signs | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Residential use | Number of signs: 1 per dwelling unit Maximum cumulative sign area: 2 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 6 feet from property line | Not permitted | Not permitted | Yes |
Non-residential use | Number of signs: 1 sign at each principal entrance or frontage of any use Maximum sign area: 16 square feet | Not permitted | Number of signs: 1 per principal entrance or frontage of any use Maximum cumulative sign area: 9 square feet Maximum height: 2.5 feet | Yes |
Signs Permitted in Business, Assembly Center, Office & Institutional and Industrial Districts
| Land Use | Freestanding Signs | Wall Signs | Ground Signs | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any use | Number of signs: 1 per frontage | Maximum cumulative sign area: 1 square foot per 1 foot linear building frontage | Number of signs: Located at the vehicular entrances to the site: 2 Maximum cumulative sign area: 4 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 5 feet from the right-of-way | Yes |
| Any use | If property is 2 acres or less: Setback: 15 feet from the street right-of way Maximum cumulative sign area: 64 square feet Maximum height: 12 feet | Maximum cumulative sign area: 1 square foot per 1 foot linear building frontage | Number of signs: Located at the vehicular entrances to the site: 2 Maximum cumulative sign area: 4 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 5 feet from the right-of-way | Yes |
| Any use | If property is more than 2 acres but less than 5 acres: Setback: 35 feet from the street right-of-way Maximum cumulative sign area: 96 square feet Maximum height: 12 feet | Maximum cumulative sign area: 1 square foot per 1 foot linear building frontage | Number of signs: Located at the vehicular entrances to the site: 2 Maximum cumulative sign area: 4 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 5 feet from the right-of-way | Yes |
| Any use | If property is 5 acres or more: Setback: 50 feet from the right-of-way Maximum cumulative sign area: 125 square feet Maximum height: 16 feet | Maximum cumulative sign area: 1 square foot per 1 foot linear building frontage | Number of signs: Located at the vehicular entrances to the site: 2 Maximum cumulative sign area: 4 square feet Maximum height: 4 feet Setback: 5 feet from the right-of-way | Yes |
Signs Permitted in Planned Unit Development Districts
| Land Use | Freestanding Signs | Wall Signs | Ground Signs | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any use | N/A | N/A | N/A | As set out in the Development Criteria |
Note: Unless otherwise stated in the text of this Ordinance, the table above provides standards for permanent signs. The table above does not provide an exhaustive list of the standards required for signs under this Ordinance. Consult the text of the Ordinance for all applicable standards.
Temporary Signs
Temporary signs are, as the name implies, displays of a temporary nature that are usually intended to promote a business, announce an event or placed to gain interest. Temporary signs can be both freestanding and building-mounted. Temporary signs are divided into two groups:
- Signs that do not require a permit.
- Signs that require a permit.
The Sign Ordinance defines a temporary sign as:
- A sign not permanently mounted to a building or into the ground. Signs attached by rope, string, chain, tape, paste, and similar mechanisms, signs not rigidly attached to a supporting structure, signs made of paper, cloth, and similar materials, and signs that are pushed, hammered, or similarly put in the ground are presumed to be temporary signs. Furthermore, these types of signs are not permitted in any public right-of-way.
Note: There is not a regulation regarding the content on temporary signs.
City of Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance Section 14-703 allows temporary signs.
Table B - Temporary Signage
Signs Permitted in Residential Districts
Land Use | Yard Signs, Banners, or Festoons | Signs Located on Property for Sale or for Rent | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
Single-family and Two-family | Number of signs: 1 per each 25 feet of lot line adjoining a public street Maximum height: 4 feet Maximum area per sign: 4 feet | Number of signs: 1 sign per each 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street, up to a total of 4 signs. Any property having less than 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street may have 1 sign. Maximum cumulative sign area: 16 square feet | No permit required. |
Multi-family; uses not otherwise noted | Number of signs: 1 sign per each 25 feet of lot line adjoining a public street Maximum area per sign: 8 square feet Maximum height: 6 feet | Number of signs: 1 sign per each 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street up, to a total of 4 signs. Any property having less than 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street may have 1 sign. Maximum cumulative sign area: 32 square feet | No permit required. |
Signs Permitted in Agricultural & Conservation Districts
Land Use | Yard Signs, Banners, or Festoons | Signs Located on Property for Sale or for Rent | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
Residential use | Number of signs: 1 sign per each 25 feet of lot line adjoining a public street Maximum height: 4 feet Maximum area per sign: 4 feet | Number of signs: 1 sign may be erected per each 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street, up to a total of 2 signs | No permit required. |
Non-residential use | Number of signs: no more than 1 sign for each 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street Maximum cumulative sign area: 32 square feet Note: yard signs are not permitted. | Number of signs: 1 sign may be erected per each 100 feet of lot line adjoining a public street, up to a total of 4 signs | Yes, with the exception of signs located on property for sale or for rent and signs located on property zoned or used for agricultural purposes only at test plot locations under cultivation. |
Signs Permitted in Business, Assembly Center, Office & Institutional and Industrial Districts
| Land Use | Yard Signs, Banners, or Festoons | Signs Located on Property for Sale or for Rent | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any use | Maximum cumulative sign area: Double the permitted sign area of wall and freestanding signs Maximum height: 8 feet Note: yard signs are not permitted. | Sign abuts road with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less: no more than 1 sign with a cumulative total area of up to eight (8) square feet and a maximum height of four (4) feet Sign abuts a road with a speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour: not more than one (1) sign with a cumulative total area of up to thirty two (32) square feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet | Yes, with the exception of signs located on property for sale or for rent. Maximum total duration: up to 90 calendar days a year |
Signs Permitted in Planned Unit Development Districts
| Land Use | Yard Signs, Banners, or Festoons | Signs Located on Property for Sale or for Rent | Permit Required and/or other Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any use | N/A | N/A | As set out in the Development Criteria |
Note: Unless otherwise stated in the text of this Ordinance, the table above provides standard for temporary signs. The table above does not provide an exhaustive list of the standards required for signs under this Ordinance. Consult the text of the Ordinance for all applicable standards.
Prohibited Signs
Prohibited signs are those signs for which a permit has not been issued or cannot be issued. Prohibited signs fall into several different types:
- Snipe Sign - A sign of any material whatsoever that is attached in any way to a communication tower, utility pole, fence post, tree or a similar object located or situated on public or private property
- Signs that display flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except a sign indicating time or temperature with alternating changes of not less than a five-second cycle
- Signs that are displayed on a public right-of-way
- Signs that are located off-site on another property, which is not connected to or a part of the business enterprise
Any further questions regarding the placement of signs on private property, please contact the Customer Contact Center at 757-382-CITY (2489).