Courtesy of HBAR, please be aware: There has been an increase in illegally placed temporary, directional signage for new home communities in Chesterfield County. Temporary signs illegally placed on private property are a zoning violation and are subject to routine code compliance.

As of Saturday, July 11, the county has initiated an enhanced code enforcement effort to remove illegally placed signs and ensure compliances with applicable regulations. Temporary signs illegally placed in the public right-of-way are subject to removal and disposal, without notice. Violations are subject to citations and fines.

The following types of temporary signs are prohibited in Chesterfield County:

  • Signs in the public right-of-way: The public right-of-way includes paved public roads, medians, and roadsides. Roadside areas include drainage ditches, landscape strips, curbs, gutters, unimproved areas and sidewalks, and generally within ten (10) feet of the edge of pavement. This width varies by location and should be verified by a survey plat.
    • These signs are illegal under state law (Code of Virginia Section 33.2-1224, which prohibits signs in the right-of-way) and county code (Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2.43), which prohibits most outdoor advertising signs (signs that advertise an offsite product or service).
  • Signs within 20 feet of the edge of the road pavement or face of curb: These restrictions apply to most commercially developed roadways in Chesterfield County. There are limited exceptions for this rule, for Special Design Districts noted in the Zoning Ordinance (such as the commercial core areas of Bon Air, Chester, Ettrick, Matoaca, and Midlothian).
    • Zoning Ordinance Section 19.2-43 outlines special circumstances and exceptions to these rules.
  • Offsite advertising signs: signs advertising a product or service offered at a different property than where the sign is posted
  • Signs attached to utility poles or traffic control signs
  • Signs that move or flutter to attract attention
  • Signs that overhang a property line

You can apply for a temporary sign permit through the Community Development Division’s Enterprise Land Management (ELM) Citizen Access Portal. After creating an account in ELM, apply for a limited duration sign permit using these instructions.