Zoning Permits Section

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-222-1082 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22035
Leslie Johnson
Zoning Administrator

Motor Vehicle Fuel Price Signs in Fairfax County

Motor vehicle fuel price signs are allowed to be installed at all service stations operating in Fairfax County after a review and approval of the design and location by the Zoning Inspections Branch of the proposed signage.

Sect. 10-4.1.2 of the Fairfax County Code details sign limitations for Motor Vehicle Fuel Price Signs. The sign limitations detailed in Section 10-4.1.2 include: area, height, setback, sign type, font type and letter-numeral size, fractions or decimals, gallons or v liters, contrasting color, heavy type face or stroke, etc.

  • Motor vehicle fuel price signs may be designed as a free standing sign. If installed at 8 or less feet in height from grade, a Zoning review is required to determine if the proposed sign is in compliance with the limitations specified in Sect.10-4.1.2 of the County Code. This review routinely occurs during the Building Permit application process or when a sign is replaced. Motor vehicle fuel price signs installed 8 feet or less in height are required to be no greater than 20 square feet in area. The sign area of a motor vehicle fuel price sign is calculated by the dimensions of the cabinet that contains the sign. The area of a motor vehicle fuel price sign, based on a height of 8 feet or less, will not be deducted from the area of the free standing enterprise sign allowed for a service station.
  • As an alternative, should the motor vehicle fuel price sign be installed at a height more than 8 feet above grade on a; pylon, ground-mounted sign, or free standing sign, the area of the motor vehicle fuel price sign will be included in the sign area allowed to be displayed on the individual enterprise's free standing sign. And, a separate Sign Permit application will need to be submitted, reviewed and approved by the Sign Permits Section prior to installation. A separate Building and electrical permit applications may also be required to be reviewed and approved by the Land Development Services (LDS) in accordance with the various State and local Codes and Ordinances administrated by that agency.
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