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Sign Ordinance Update

On April 26, 2025, City Council adopted proposed amendments to the sign ordinance to improve organization and usability, reduce complexity, and increase flexibility of the sign regulations.
Page updated on October 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM

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Adopted Sign Ordinance

  • effective April 26, 2025

    • Adopted Sign Ordinance

Staff Recommendations

Definitions

  • Remove definitions that are not listed elsewhere in the sign regulations 
  • Consolidate sign types 
  • Revise digital sign definition 
  • Define internally illuminated panel sign, sign area, and sign area ratio 
  • Revise roof sign definition to clarify that signs on parapets are not roof signs 
  • Revise sign definition for clarity 

Increase Flexibility

  • Staff proposes additional flexibility and minor increases in signs allowances based on projects with sign SUPs approved by City Council, prior zoning history, and neighboring jurisdictions:
    • Eliminate setbacks.
    • Increase maximum wall sign size limit.
    • Standardize temporary sign time limits.

Special Use Permits (SUPs)

  • Staff proposes to:
    • Allow digital signs by administrative SUP with the following additional restrictions:   
      • Must comply with current illumination standards.
      • Text and graphics shall not be animated, move, or flash.
      • Digital signs shall have an automatic photocell dimmer. 
      • The changing of text or graphics shall occur no more than two times per minute. 
    • Delete Coordinated Sign SUP and general SUP and create administrative SUP process and criteria for relief from sign rules related to time limits for temporary signs, size, height, and number of signs, along with digital signs.
    • Eliminate SUP requirement for illuminated signs above 35 feet. These signs would continue to be prohibited within the historic district and facing the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Standards enforced by other City departments or are similar to regulations found in other codes, ordinances, or the Master Plan

Staff proposes to:

  • Remove when zoning approval is required because a) permitting is dictated by Code Administration and b) signs addressed by the ordinance must always comply with zoning regardless of whether City permits are required. 
  • Remove sign provisions that are similar to language found in the Master Plan or other sections of the Zoning Ordinance.  

 

Other Changes

  • Staff proposes to:
    • Amend how sign area is calculated, e.g., the base of a freestanding monument sign would not be included in sign area total
    • Retain A-frame sign prohibitions  
  • General reorganization 

Community Engagement

Public Hearings

City Council Public Hearing
Saturday, March 15, 2025

  • Staff report and presentation
  • Meeting video

Planning Commission Public Hearing
Tuesday, January 7, 2025

  • Staff report and presentation (Item #5)
  • Meeting video

Previous Community Engagement

  • In addition to the below, staff held virtual open houses regarding the draft recommendations on December 16, 17, 19 and 20.
  • Wednesday, December 18, 6 p.m. - Community Meeting #2, Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive
    • Presentation
    • Meeting video
  • Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m. - Board of Architectural Review, City Hall, 301 King Street, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
    • Staff provided an informational update to the Board of Architectural Review
    • Presentation
  • Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m. - Planning Commission Work Session, City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 301 King Street
    • Staff presented draft recommendations and community input. Planning Commission discussed and provided policy direction to staff.
  • Monday, April 1 - Community Meeting #1 ,  City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 2000
    • Staff introduced the sign ordinance update and sought input from meeting attendees. 
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Presentation
    • Meeting video

Questions?

Contact Rachel Drescher, Urban Planner, 703.746.4333

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