(A) Signs obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation. The purpose of this subchapter is to regulate the size, color, illumination, movement, materials, location, height, and condition of all signs placed on private property for exterior observation, thus ensuring the protection of property values, the character of the various neighborhoods, the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community, protection against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas, and the safety and welfare of pedestrians and wheeled traffic, while providing convenience to citizens and encouraging economic development. This subchapter allows adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size, and purpose of all signs. This subchapter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. If any provision of this subchapter is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not affect the validity of other provisions of this subchapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
(B) Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by special use permit under this subchapter, by specific requirements in another portion of this chapter, or otherwise expressly allowed by the Town Council are forbidden.
(C) A sign placed on land or on a building for the purpose of identification, protection, or directing persons to a use conducted therein shall be deemed to be an integral but accessory and subordinate part of the principal use of land or building. Therefore, the intent of this subchapter is to establish limitations on signs in order to ensure they are appropriate to the land, building, or use to which they are appurtenant and are adequate for their intended purpose while balancing the individual and community interests identified in division (A) above.
(D) These regulations are intended to promote signs that are compatible with the use of the property to which they are appurtenant, landscape and architecture of surrounding buildings, are legible and appropriate to the activity to which they pertain, are not distracting to motorists, and are constructed and maintained in a structurally sound and attractive condition.
(E) These regulations distinguish between portions of the town designed for primarily vehicular access and portions of the town designed for primarily pedestrian access.
(F) These regulations do not regulate every form and instance of visual speech that may be displayed anywhere within the jurisdictional limits of the town. Rather, they are intended to regulate those forms and instances that are most likely to meaningfully affect one or more of the purposes set forth above.
(G) These regulations do not entirely eliminate all of the harms that may be created by the installation and display of signs. Rather, they strike an appropriate balance that preserves ample channels of communication by means of visual display while still reducing and mitigating the extent of the harms caused by signs.
(1998 Code, § 66-360) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. 2020-06, passed 11-4-2020)
Statutory reference:
Outdoor advertising in sight of public highways, see VA Code §§ 33.2-1200 et seq.