Are LED Signs Allowed in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Virginia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. EMC (electronic message) signs are permitted in designated zoning districts within the City of Roanoke.
“Electronic message signs are permitted as part of a freestanding or wall sign, provided that the message remains static for at least eight (8) seconds and does not flash, scroll, or animate.”
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Roanoke Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Roanoke Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional districts |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Freestanding, Wall |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌No |
| EMCs in right-of-way | ❌Not allowed |
| Minimum display duration | 8 seconds per message |
| Animation or flashing | ❌Prohibited |
| Dimming required | ✅ Yes, automatic at night |
| Permit required | ✅ Yes, zoning and electrical |
| Use restrictions | For on-premise business or institutional use only |
Zoning District Overview
Roanoke’s sign regulations are administered under Chapter 27.1 (Zoning Ordinance). EMCs are typically permitted in business and manufacturing zones, such as:
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CG (General Commercial)
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CN (Neighborhood Commercial)
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CLS (Commercial Large Site)
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I-1 (Light Industrial)
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I-2 (Heavy Industrial)
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INS (Institutional)
Commercial Zoning Table
| Requirement | CG | CLS |
|---|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Permitted sign types | Wall, Freestanding | Wall, Freestanding |
| Max display area | 50% of total sign face | 50% of total sign face |
| Message change interval | ≥ 8 seconds | ≥ 8 seconds |
| Brightness limit | 0.3 foot-candles above ambient | 0.3 foot-candles above ambient |
| Animation/scrolling | ❌Not allowed | ❌Not allowed |
| Off-premise | ❌No | ❌No |
| Setback from ROW | 10 ft minimum | 10 ft minimum |
Permit Filing Requirements
Required permits:
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Sign permit (Planning Department)
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Electrical permit (Building Department)
Documents needed:
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Site plan showing sign placement and setbacks
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Structural drawings and illumination specifications
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Certification of automatic dimming controls
Permit fees: Typically range from $100 – $300, depending on sign type and electrical work.
Local Project Example (Optional)
LED Sign City installed an EMC for a retail center on Williamson Road under the CG zoning district. The sign complied with brightness limits and 8-second static message requirements. Permit approval was completed within 10 business days.
Full Ordinance Text (Excerpt)
§27.1-6. Sign Regulations
“Electronic message signs shall be permitted only where expressly authorized by district regulations. The message or display shall remain static for not less than eight (8) seconds, shall not scroll, flash, blink, or animate, and shall include automatic dimming based on ambient light levels. The electronic portion shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total sign area.”
External References
🗺️ Roanoke Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Roanoke Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal