19671107 1967-7 ORDrN~NCE NO. 1967-7 ....
AN ORDINANCE to provide for the amendment of
certain provisions of the Zoning Ordinance
relating to signs.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Fairfax
as follows:
SECTION 2
Delete definitions of "sign" and "Billboards", and add the following
definitions to Section 2 in alphabetical order:
Billboards or poster panels Any sign or advertisement used as an
an outdoor display for the purpose of making anything known, where the
subject matter of the sign is not available on the premises.
ShoDDing Center: Two or more commercial establishments planned
or operated as a unit with off-street parking provided on the property.
Sign: Any word, numeral, figure, design, trade mark, flag,
pennant, twirler, light, display, or device of any kind which, either
singly or in any combination, is used to direct, identify, inform,
persuade, advertise, or visually attract the attention of the out of
doors public.
Si.qn Area: The total area in the smallest rectangle or rec-
tangles, if the sign is rectangular; or the smallest convex polygon
that will contain the entire sign, excluding architectural embellish-
ments and supports on neither of which there is displayed any
advertising material or any lighting. For projecting or double-faced
signs, one (1) display face shall be measured in computing total sign
area where the sign faces are parallel or where the interior angle
formed by the faces is forty-five (45) degrees or less. The actual
area of any exposed tubing or lighting used to outline any part of a
lot, other than a sign, shall be included in any computation of sign
area; provided that the area of any band of lighting (including a
string of individual lights) less than one (!) foot in width, shall be
computed at the rate of one (1) square foot for each one (1) foot on
the length thereof.
SECTION 3
SIGN FEES
Delete the existing section 3.12 and add the following:
See Section 7 Subsection H-5.
SECTION 7
SIGNS
A. INTENT
It is intended by this ordinance to regulate all signs, bill-
boards, and other displays or devices to direct, identify, inform,
persuade, advertise or attract attention, herein called "signs," in
order to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of
the inhabitants and property within the City. This ordinance shall
not be used to limit illumination prescribed for safety purposes by
the Illuminating Engineers Society.
EXCLUSION FROM DEFINITION
The following signs shall not be subject to regulation hereunder:
1. Signs or plates on residential structures or premises
giving the name or address of the occupant, mail boxes, paper
tubes and similar uses customarily associated with residential
use.
2.
Signs posted upon property relating to private parking
or warning the public against trespassing or against danger from
animals.
3. Municipal, County, State and Federal signs, including
necessary traffic signs.
4. Historical markers, monuments or signs erected by
public authority.
- 2 -
5. official notices or advertisements posted or displayed
by or under the direction of any public court official in the per-
formance of his official or directed duties, or by trustees under
deeds of trust or other similar instruments.
Ce
REGULA__T ION__~S
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all districts:
!. Attached Signs:
(a) Sign Placement - Every sign greater than four (4)
square feet in area shall be placed flat against the building,
projecting no more than twelve (12) inches, except as other-
wise permitted.
(b) Sign Height--- In no case shall any sign extend more
than three (3) feet above the height of the building measured
from the actual roof line in the case of a flat roof; from
the eaves or the lowest point of the roof in the case of a
hip or gable roof; provided that if the building is construc-
ted with parapets, the sign shall be no more than three (3)
feet above the parapet, but in no case shall the sign be
more than six (6) feet above the actual roof.
2. ~py 1.on Signs_~
(a) In no case shall any pylon sign exceed a
height of twenty (20) feet measured from the nearest curb
elevation as established by the City Engineer or the base of-
the sign, whichever is lower; provided that a sign that is
not closer than fifty (50) feet from a street right-of-way
line may have a height of forty (40) feet.
(b) No sign shall be located within the front fifteen
(15) feet of any required setback.
3. S_i~_n~s_ AdJ~_c_en_t ~to Resi_dential Districts: No _illuminated
sign shall be permitted within one hundred. _(10o) feet of any "R",
-3 -
"M" or "R-T" District. No sign within three hundred (300) feet
shall be illuminated between the hours of 12:00 midnight and
6:00 a.m.
4. Sign Illumination: Unless otherwise expressly prohibit-
ed, signs may be illuminated, provided that lighting directed
toward a sign shall be shielded in such a manner so as to illuminate
only the face of the sign.
D. SIGNS PERMITTED WITHOUT A PERMIT
The following signs are permitted without a permit provided they
conform to the regulations of the district in which they are to be
located as to size, location and type of construction:
1. Church signs on church property (not to exceed twenty-
four (24) square feet, white lighted).
2. Signs on interior window glass, regardless of size.
3. Signs advertising for rent, sale or lease of dwellings
in "R" and "R-T" zones, limited to a maximum total area of four
(4) square feet per dwelling; provided that said sign shall not
be illuminated.
4. Traffic signs, not exceeding two (2) square feet in
area, indicating entrance or exit.
5. Any flag, badge, or insignia customarily displayed by
any government or governmental agency or by any charitable, civic,
fraternal, patriotic, religious or similar organization, and
customary temporary lighting and displays as a part of holiday
decorations.
6. Signs relating to customary home occupations allowed
in Section 2.09.
7. No permit shall be required to change movable lettering
on a permitted sign.
_4 -
E. SIGNS PERMITTED WITH A PERMIT
The following signs are permitted, subject to the issuance of a
permit by the zoning Administrator; and provided further that the per-
mit number shall be affixed to the sign in a conspicuous place:
1. "R" and "R-T" Districts: A free-standing sign denoting
the name of the subdivision is permitted, provided that the area
of the sign and sign structure does not exceed thirty-two (32)
square feet and does not create a visual obstruction. The sign
may be illuminated by white light only. Signs relating to
special uses permitted within "R" districts are permitted on
such properties.
2. "M" Districts: A sign denoting the name of the multi-
family project is permitted at each entrance of the project,
provided that the area of the sign does not exceed thirty-two
(32) square feet, does not create a visual obstruction, and is
not located within the public right-of-way. The sign may be
illuminated; however, any illumination must be. by white light
only.
3.
permitted:
"C" and "I" Districts: The following signs are
(a) Any commercial or industrial use, having at least
fifty (50) feet of frontage on a public street, shall be
permitted one (1) pylon type sign, the size of which may not
exceed one-half (1/2) square foot per lineal foot of front-
age occupied by the use, or fifty (50) square feet, whichever
is smaller. Any commercial use, having at least two hundred
(200) feet of frontage on a public street, shall be permitted
two (2) such signs. For the purpose of this paragraph, an
entire shopping center shall be considered one commercial
use. No more than two (2) pylon type signs shall be per-
mitted for any commercial use.
zone:
(b) Signs attached to commercial or industrial build-
ings in commercial or industrial zones, which advertise the
said area or products or services sold therein, may have an
aggregate area not exceeding two (2) square feet for each
lineal foot of building frontage occupied by the use.
(c) The total aggregate area of all signs permitted
shall not exceed three (3) square feet for each lineal foot
of building frontage measured to the outside of the exterior
walls. In the event that a strUcture has frontage on two (2)
or more streets, the sign area shall be based on the average
building frontage.
TEMPORARY SIGNS
The following temporary signs are permitted with a permit in any
1. Temporary signs denoting or advertising contractors,
architects, developers, and real estate agents connected with the
construction, or sale, or lease of structures in commercial or
industrial zones, and of developments in residential zones, said
signs not to exceed a total area of sixty-four (64) square feet,
with no single sign having an area of more than thirty-two (32)
square feet. Permits for such temporary signs shall be limited
to ninety (90) days' duration. A deposit of $25.00 shall be re-
quired for each sign, the deposit to be returned when the sign
has been removed.
2. Signs advertising the place and date of fairs, carnivals,
horse shows and similar events, and signs of political candidates,
parties or groups supporting the candidacy of any individual for
office, or urging public support of or opposition to any public
issues to be voted upon; provided such permits shall be limited to
thirty (30)~ days' duration and provided a deposit of $25.00 has
- 6 -
been posted with the City to insure the removal of such temporary
signs.
3. Temporary banners or signs, advertising special events
or holidays to be observed within the City, may be permitted
within public rights-of-way for not exceeding thirty (30) days;
provided liability insurance protection, deemed adequate by the
City, has been furnished; and provided further, a deposit satis-
factory to the Zoning Administrator, has been posted to insure
the removal of such temporary banners or signs.
4. Temporary signs, advertising the initial openings of
business establishments, may be permitted for not exceeding ten
(10) days; provided the location of such signs are approved by
the zoning Administrator; and provided further, a deposit of
$25.00 has been posted with the City to insure the removal of
such temporary signs.
5. Directional signs placed on private property with per-
mission of the owner and not exceeding six (6) square feet in
area, directing the public to a subdivision or apartment project.
Permits for such signs shall be limited to ninety (90) days and
shall require a deposit of $25.00 to insure the prompt removal of
such signs.
SIGNS PROHIBITED
The following signs are prohibited in the City:
I. Any sign in a residential zone exceeding an area of
thirty-two (32) square feet.
2. Any sign located in any manner or place so as to con-
stitute a hazard to traffic.
3. Any moving sign or device to attract attention, all or
any part of which moves by ~ny means, including fluttering,
- 7 -
rotating, or otherwise moving devices, or set in motion by move-
ment of the atmosphere including but not limited to pennants,
flags, propellers, disc, etc., whether or not any said device
has written message content.
4. Any flashing sign or device displaying flashing or
intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity;
except a sign indicating time and/or temperature, with changes
alternating on not less than a five-second cycle.
5. Any illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining
property lines or open sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows,
or wall edges of any building; provided that perimeter-shielded
down lighting may be used to illuminate open sales areas.
6. Any sign that obstructs or substantially interferes
with any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening
intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any
building.
7. Any non-shielded illumination of a sign within two
hundred (200) feet of an "R", "R-T" or "M" District.
8. Portable signs, including any signs painted on or dis-
played on vehicles or trailers usually parked in public places
and used primarily for the purpose of such display; provided
business signs painted on or attached to commercial vehicles
shall not be prohibited.
9. Any sign which is a copy or imitation of an official
sign, or which purports to have official status.
10. All temporary signs and banners, except as specifi-
cally permitted in Section 7 Subsection F.
11. Billboards (except in 1-2).
12.. In no case shall any sign project into any public
right-of-way, except as specifically permitted in Section 7
Subsection F (3).
- 8 -
13. NO sign shall be located within the front fifteen (15)
feet of any setback.
14. Any sign that violates any provision of a law of the
Commonwealth of Virginia relating to outdoor advertising.
15. Any other sign not expressly permitted by this
ordinance.
PROCEDURE AND FEES FOR SIGN PERMITS
1. Application for a permit for a sign, where required by
this ordinance, shall be made to the Zoning Administrator of the
City, on a form approved by the City Council and accompanied by
the proper fee, and shall include pertinent data relating to the
design, placement and location of the proposed sign. The Zoning
Administrator shall issue a permit for a sign which conforms to
the Zoning Ordinance.
2. Any sign which is erected, used, maintained, operated,
posted or displayed in violation of Section 7 of the Zoning
Ordinance is hereby declared to be a public and private nuisance,
and is subject to immediate removal by the Zoning Administrator.
The City may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration or
abatement from the person concerned.
3. Any sign which becomes a safety hazard, or which is not
kept in a good general condition and in a reasonably good state
of repair, and is not, after thirty (30) days' written notice
to the person concerned, put in a safe and good general condition
and in a reasonably good state of repair, is hereby declared to
be a public and private nuisance, and may be removed, obliterated
or abated by the Zoning Administrator. The city may collect the
cost of such removal, obliteration or abatement from the person
concerned.
- 9 -
4. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all
signs within the City regardless of whether or not a permit
for such a sign is required by this ordinance.
5. The following fees shall be paid prior to the issuance
of a'sign permit:
(a) $5.00 plus $.10 a square foot for each sign.
(b) $5.00 per 100 signs of less than two (2) square
feet in area.
I. REMOVAL OF SIGNS
Whenever the use of a building or premises by a specified
business or occupation is discontinued for that business or occu-
pation for a period of ninety (90) days, signs pertaining to that
business or occupation shall be removed immediately upon expiration
of said ninety-day period. The owner of such premises shall be
responsible for the removal of such signs and, after ten (10) days'
written notice, if he shall fail to comply with the requirements
hereof, the City Manager shall cause the sign or signs in question
to be removed and shall charge the cost therefor to the owner of the
premises.
INTRODUCED:
ADOPTED:
September 26, 1967
November 7, 1967
Mayor
Attest:
- 10 -