Planning
May 17, 2021
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — During this election season, the Planning Department would like to remind all campaigns of the permits required for limited duration campaign signage.
For the full ordinance, view the Zoning Ordinance (PDF) and read Section 19.1-278 Limited Duration Signs.
To apply for a limited duration campaign sign permit, visit the Chesterfield County Community Development Division Enterprise Land Management (ELM) Citizen Access Portal. After creating an account in ELM, apply for a limited duration sign permit by following these instructions (PDF).
For questions or more information, contact Zoning Administrator Ray Cash by email or via phone at 804-748-1071.
Facts and considerations to note regarding limited duration signs before applying for a permit:
- Campaign signs are noncommercial limited duration signs (temporary in display and structure) and may be placed where such signs are provided for and meet applicable requirements.
- Signs cannot be in right-of-way/public roads (medians and right on the edge of the road).
- Signs must have permission of property owner to post signs.
- Signs must be 5 feet from property lines and 20 feet from the edge of pavement (or face of curb) but must be more than 1 foot from right-of-way.
- Chesterfield County does not permit location of such signs on county-owned property (exception: polling places may have signs on day of election and in accordance with state law).
- Signs requiring a Planning sign permit for office, commercial and industrial-zoned properties (and A Districts designated on the Comprehensive Plan for nonresidential use):
- Two signs per property and an additional one sign for each 500 linear feet in excess of 1,000 linear feet (maximum four), where fronting along two or more arterial or collector roads signage is permitted along each road.
- Maximum dimensions: 32 square feet and 7 feet in height.
- Maximum duration: 120 consecutive days.
- Permits are available at no cost.
- Signs requiring a Planning sign permit for vacant residential properties (and A Districts designated on the Comprehensive Plan for Other than nonresidential use).
- One sign per property and an additional one sign for each 500 linear feet in excess of 1,000 linear feet (maximum four), where fronting along two or more arterial or collector roads signage is permitted along each road.
- Maximum dimensions: 16 square feet and 10 feet in height.
- Maximum duration: 120 consecutive days.
- Signs not requiring a Planning sign permit for agricultural and residential properties on which there is a residential use:
- Signs are permitted provided they do not exceed 8 square feet in area and 4 feet in height.
- If no commercial signage is displayed, noncommercial signage may be substituted, allowing aggregate total of permitted signage to be 14 square feet (8 square feet plus 6 square feet allowed for commercial signage).
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