Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Change Highlights - Chapter 8: Signs

Chapter 8 of the new Zoning Ordinance regulates signs throughout the county. The sign ordinance was extensively rewritten to establish content-neutral regulations. Rather than focus on a sign’s user or message, the sign ordinance regulates the physical characteristics of a sign, such as the physical type, number, dimensions, setback, lighting and safety of signs. The updates are intended to allow for identification of addresses and places of business and promote public safety, while safeguarding and enhancing Loudoun’s visual environment.   

The new sign regulations have a different framework than the previous sign regulations. The new framework includes these sign categories: freestanding, attached, incidental, historic, and digital signs, as well as murals and art displays. For purposes of the sign regulations, zoning districts are grouped into sign groups: Urban, Suburban Mixed-Use, Neighborhood, Commercial, Employment/Industrial, and Rural Sign Groups. The sign regulations differ depending on the sign group in which the sign is located. Within the Rural sign group, there are separate allowances for residential, nonresidential/farms and villages.  

In addition to the new content-neutral approach and the new framework of sign categories and sign groups, the new Zoning Ordinance establishes new regulations for the following sign types:  

• Digital Signs – Under the previous zoning ordinance, digital signs were allowed only upon approval of a Sign Development Plan, which requires a Planning Commission public hearing and a Board of Supervisors public hearing and a Sign Permit. In the new ordinance, if a digital sign complies with the digital sign standards, only a Sign Permit is necessary.  
• Murals and Art Displays – The new ordinance allows murals with no maximum size in the Commercial, Employment/Industrial, Suburban Mixed-Use, and Urban Sign Groups to enhance streetscapes and community character. The size of a mural or art display does not count towards the maximum allowed signage for other types of signs.  
• Villages – Unique sign standards for the county’s villages accommodate location-appropriate sidewalk signs, art displays, murals and light post banners. 

 Consistent with the previous ordinance, the new Zoning Ordinance prohibits the following signs: 

• Signs Not Enumerated (any sign not specifically identified as permitted). 
• Off-Premises Signs. 
• Snipe Signs.  
• Attention-Getting Devices.  
• Signs Determined by the Zoning Administrator to be Traffic Hazards.  
• Obscene Signs.  
• Signs Promoting Illegal Activity.   

The new Zoning Ordinance also clarifies that animated signs or signs on buildings with neon or lighted outlines may only be allowed upon approval of a Sign Development Plan. Signs that are not in compliance with the lighting and glare standards are only allowed upon approval of a Special Exception. 

Review additional details in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

Last updated 12/18/2023