SIGNS IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY Signs 5...ALLOWED SIGNS CHAPTER 32 [ZONING] OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CODE Art II - Part 250.21 – Sign Types Allowed Where Permitted: • BUSINESS

SIGNS

IN

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

SIGNS

IN


P R E S E N T E D B Y

P R O P E R T Y C O D E E N F O R C E M E N T B R A N C H

N E I G H B O R H O O D S E R V I C E S D I V I S I O N

P W C P U B L I C W O R K S D E P A R T M E N T

SIGNS DEFINED

CHAPTER 32 [ZONING] OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CODE

Art I - Part 100 – SIGNS: ANY DISPLAY visible beyond the boundaries of the

parcel of land on which the display is made, of letters, words, numerals,

figures, logos, devices, emblems, pictures, in any combination, by any

means for the purpose of attracting attention or making anything known.

Every such display shall be deemed a sign whether made on, attached to,

or as a part of a structure, surface, or any other thing, including , but not

limited to, the window, wall, ground, any rock, tree or other natural object.

SIGNS DEFINED

ALLOWED SIGNS


Art II - Part 250.21 – Sign Types Allowed Where Permitted:

• BUSINESS SIGNS – freestanding or facade

• DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

• FLAGS – one each per lot of US; VA; PWC; Military; Corporate; Non-Profit

• HOME BUSINESS SIGNS

• MALL/SHOPPING CENTER SIGNS

• MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL PRICE SIGNS

• RESTAURANT MENU BOARD SIGNS

• SECONDARY SIGNS – No Trespassing, No hunting, No Parking, etc.

• SUBDIVISION SIGNS

• TEMPORARY SIGNS – where our major problems occur

FREESTANDING AND FACADE

BUSINESS SIGNS

ALLOWED SIGNS with PERMITS

DIRECTIONAL SIGNS


FLAGS


HOME BUSINESS SIGNS


MALL & SHOPPING CENTER SIGNS


MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL PRICE SIGNS


RESTAURANT MENU BOARD SIGNS


SECONDARY SIGNS

ALLOWED SIGNS with or without PERMITS

SUBDIVISION SIGNS


TEMPORARY SIGNS


WARNING

THIS PRESENTATION IS NOW VENTURING INTO THE NETHER

WORLD OF

TEMPORARY SIGNS

WHERE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE OFTEN

MISUNDERSTOOD AND FREQUENTLY MISINTERPRETED

NOT ALL TEMPORARY SIGNS HAVE BEEN CREATED EQUAL

SOME ARE ALLOWED AND SOME ARE NOT

TEMPORARY SIGNS

ALLOWED TEMPORARY SIGNS with PERMITS

Art II - Part 250.26 – Temporary Signs - up to 32 sf. double faced

Allowed with a Sign Permit or Temporary Activity Permit for:

• TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY for period of activity

• NOW HIRING, GRAND OPENING for 60 days with no renewal

• COMING SOON, FUTURE HOME OF for one year with renewal

• CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SIGNS for one year with renewal

TEMPORARY ACTIVITY SIGNS


WHEN AUTHORIZED BY A TEMPORARY ACTIVITY PERMIT

NOW HIRING, GRAND OPENING


ALLOWED FOR 60 DAYS WITH NO RENEWAL

COMING SOON & FUTURE

HOME OF


ALLOWED FOR ONE YEAR WITH RENEWAL

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SIGNS


ALLOWED FOR 1 YEAR WITH RENEWAL

SIGN PERMIT EXEMPTIONS

ALLOWED TEMPORARY SIGNS without PERMITS

Art II - Part 250.26 – Temporary Signs up to 32 sf. double faced

Allowed and EXEMPT from a Sign Permit or Temporary Activity Permit:

• FOR SALE, FOR LEASE up to 16 sf. residential or 32 sf. Commercial

• POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN signs up to 90 days prior to 5 days after election

• Up to 3 OPEN HOUSE signs on or off-site 4 hours prior to 2 hours after

on private property only

FOR SALE OR LEASE SIGNS


UP TO 32 sq. ft. COMMERCIAL AND 16 sq. ft. RESIDENTIAL WITH NO TIME LIMIT

POLITICAL SIGNS


ON PRIVATE PROPERTY UP TO 90 DAYS PRIOR TO 5 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION

OPEN HOUSE SIGNS


ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ONLY UP TO: 3 FT HIGH ; FOUR SQ FT IN SIZE; 1 SIGN PER

LOT ON 3 LOTS MAXIMUM; 4 HOURS BEFORE TO 2 HOURS AFTER THE EVENT

PROHIBITED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

OUR BASIC PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE

FOR OUR COUNTY CITIZENS AND GUESTS

• Certain signs can create driving and safety hazards for the general

public, county contractors and county employees

• They have the potential to distract drivers, obstruct visibility and

become airborne hazards in medium to high wind conditions

• They are especially a hazard for road crews, mowers and

landscapers who maintain our public right of ways

• They are considered by many to be litter and detract from the

appearance of our community

PROHIBITED SIGNS


Art II – Section 250.22.4 – No sign shall be illuminated by flashing,

occulting, revolving or intermittent lighting, nor shall any sign consist of any

moving parts. Electronic message board signs are not permitted unless a

Special Use Permit is obtained. THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE PROHIBITED:

• WIND ACTIVATED SIGNS – tube figures, pinwheels, etc.

• HELIUM FILLED OR INFLATED SIGNS – tethered blimps, etc.

• STREAMERS, BANNERS AND BALLOONS – includes feather banners

except pole banners in shopping centers used as logos or seasonal art

• PORTABLE SIGNS – A-frames, sandwich boards, hand held, etc.

• ILLEGAL ROADSIDE SIGNS – formally Popsicle © Signs

WIND ACTIVATED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

INFLATED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

STREAMERS, BANNERS and

BALLOON SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

Banner material when mounted to a solid backing can be approved by permit

STREAMERS, BANNERS and

BALLOON SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGN EXCEPTION

Banners may be permitted on light poles within a shopping center or

commercial mall parking lot when used as logos or seasonal art [18 sf max]

PORTABLE SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

ILLEGAL ROADSIDE SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS ARE FOUND IN TWO DISTINCT AREAS

• On privately owned residential or commercial property

• Where property lines are defined by recorded deeds, plats,

approved site plans and certified surveys

• Violations on private property are pursued under Chapter 32

of the Prince William County Code – The Zoning Ordinance

• On public thoroughfares and the right of way

• On publicly owned lands controlled by VDOT or the County and

defined by approved state highway plans. Right of way

easements can exceed the width of an existing road out to

150 feet from centerline to allow for anticipated future growth

• Violations on public roads are pursued under Virginia State

Code § 33.1-373

PROHIBITED SIGNS

PROHIBITED SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR IN THE RIGHT OF WAY

LEGAL TOOL KIT

HANDLING SIGN VIOLATIONS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY

Virginia State Code provides the enabling legislation in our Dillon Rule state

for dealing with illegal roadside signs in the public right of way

• VA CODE § 33.1-373 PROHIBITS TEMPORARY ROADSIDE ADVERTISING

• Declares illegal roadside advertising a public nuisance which may be

removed from public roads and demolished without notice by the

Commissioner of Highways [VDOT]

• Provides the authority to issue a civil court summons to violators

• Allows for the award of civil penalties of $100 per sign per occurrence

in violation with the net proceeds being paid into the State Highway

Maintenance and Operating Fund

OFFICIAL STATE HIGHWAY

PLANS & PROFILES

DETERMINING THE RIGHT OF WAY

RIGHT OF WAY

GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE RIGHT OF WAY IN THE FIELD

1. ALL MEDIANS AND ISLANDS

2. FAR SIDE OF A DITCH OR CULVERT

3. UTILITY POLES

4. SIDEWALK EDGE

5. FIVE (5) FEET OFF THE CURB FACE

6. EDGE OF A MOWED SECTION

ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS

HOW DO WE CONTROL AND MANAGE THE PROBLEM?

CURRENT PROGRAMS

• Education Outreach to Obtain Voluntary Compliance

• NSD Roadside Removal Program

• PWC Code Enforcement Removal Team - Punitive

• PWC Litter Crew Scheduled Removal Routes – Litter Control

• Volunteer Programs – Our Community Partners

• VDOT “Adopt a Highway” Program

• Keep Prince William Beautiful “Adopt a Spot” Program

• Code Enforcement – Zoning Ordinance & State Code

• Court Action and the Collection of Fines


NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES REMOVAL PROGRAMS


HOW DO WE CONTROL AND MANAGE THE PROBLEM?

NEW PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPMENT FOR 2013

• Provide new educational material to:

• New business applicants in the County

• Established businesses through the PW Chamber of Commerce

• Establishing a new volunteer program to supplement roadside removal

• Legislative action to obtain higher fines for repeat offenders {$250}

• Increase General District Court dockets to three per month for signs

• Utilize automated phone calling or “robo-calls” to enhance educational

outreach and compliance

THE END RESULT

TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

SIGNS

IN


P R E S E N T E D B Y

P R O P E R T Y C O D E E N F O R C E M E N T B R A N C H

N E I G H B O R H O O D S E R V I C E S D I V I S I O N

P W C P U B L I C W O R K S D E P A R T M E N T

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SIGNS IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY Signs 5...ALLOWED SIGNS CHAPTER 32 [ZONING] OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CODE Art II - Part 250.21 – Sign Types Allowed Where Permitted: • BUSINESS