The Zoning Ordinance defines a sign and regulates signs through Article 7 (Sign Ordinance). This ordinance seeks to protect and enhance communities a few different ways, including the prohibition of moving or windblown signs, such as inflatables or feather flags, and any sign that displays flashing or animated lights. For example, a “wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube-man” visible from a street is prohibited. Signs that are temporary and removable, but not prohibited, may be deemed minor signs. Minor signs can include those on storefront windows, which up to 30% coverage is allowed; however, the following applies if a storefront sign is illuminated:

• 4 square feet maximum
• limited to business hours
• no flashing on and off
• no changeable copy (it can only show one message - example: “OPEN”)

Other signs, like the sign that lets you know the various stores in a shopping center, are allowed through permit processes.

If a sign is along a roadway, it is probably in the Virginia Department of Transportation right-of-way (“VDOT ROW” or “ROW”). Fairfax County obtained VDOT permission for the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) to have an Illegal Sign Removal Program for 99 heavily traveled ROWs.

DCC is here to help – if you have questions, want to make a report, or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact us. You can report problems online, learn about what happens during an investigation, reach us via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711), or visit us in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax, VA 22035. DCC does not take in reports of signs illegally placed in the ROW, but we take questions and please rest assured signs subject to removal under our Illegal Sign Removal Program are addressed.