Both permanent and temporary signs require sign permits. Unless your sign falls under the following categories, you must obtain a sign permit before erecting your sign. 

Signs that don't need a sign permit, but must meet size limits and required setbacks:

• Address signs
• Advertising vehicles
• Agricultural product signs
• Auction signs
• Construction signs
• Flags
• Home occupation signs
• Noncommercial signs (including political signs)
• Real estate signs
• Sandwich board signs
• Warning signs
• Window signs (up to an aggregate 25% of the total area of the window or door)

Find the size limits and setbacks in Sections 4.15.9-4.14.11 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Signs that are not permitted include:

• Signs that violate state or federal laws, or the building or fire code
• Balloons or other floating signs
• Pennants, ribbons, spinners, or streamers
• Animated, flashing, or moving signs
• Billboards
• Signs that produce sound
• Signs that cast light onto other properties or streets, or signs that outline structures, windows, or signs with light, including neon-style light
• Signs that obstruct vision or pose a hazard to safety or to vehicular or pedestrian traffic
• Searchlights, strobe lights, or beacons
• Any sign erected in the public right of way
• Roof signs
• Banners, other than authorized temporary signs

Find the definitions of the sign types in the Zoning Ordinance, in Chapter 3 – Definitions.

Sign Permit Application

Find the sign type, number, area, height and setback regulations for your property in Sections 4.15.9-4.14.11 of the Zoning Ordinance. Sign permits are typically processed within 10 business days, excluding Architectural Review Board (ARB) approval.

Temporary Sign Permit Application 

Each temporary sign permit may be erected for up to 15 days. Any business may be issued up to six temporary sign permits in a calendar year, but may not exceed a total of 60 days per calendar year.

Submit for review through our Digital Submissions Page

NOTE:

All new, incoming businesses or businesses relocating to a new location, undergoing a change in name and or ownership WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR A ZONING CLEARANCE BEFORE ANY SIGN PERMITS CAN BE ISSUED. While this clearance belongs to the business/tenant, they may submit themselves or have a representative (including the sign contractor) submit on their behalf.  However, the clearance needs to be filled out and signed by the business representative.  Please follow this link to apply.

Zoning Clearance for Albemarle County VA

Is my property in the Entrance Corridor Overlay District?

Entrance Corridors are identified on the Entrance Corridors Map.

Requirements for signs in the Entrance Corridor Overlay District

Signs located within an Entrance Corridor Overlay District require a Certificate of Appropriateness, which may require Architectural Review Board (ARB) approval or staff-level approval for the ARB.

All signs in the Entrance Corridor Overlay District must meet the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board Sign Guidelines. Signs that meet the guidelines can be reviewed and approved by staff without review by the ARB. Reviewing the guidelines before designing your sign can save time and money.

If a building on an Entrance Corridor houses multiple businesses, signs on the building must also follow the Comprehensive Sign Plan established for that property. Properties for which Comprehensive Sign Plans have been approved are listed by Tax Map/Parcel number in this list, and the approved criteria for each property can be found in this alphabetical list of properties. If the proposed sign meets all the criteria for that property, the application may be reviewed and approved by staff without review by the ARB.

• Sign Diagrams