Norfolk's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Norfolk, Virginia, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Garage Sale Signs

Norfolk bans garage-sale signs on streets, sidewalks, or any public right-of-way; only one on-premises sign is allowed, capped at twelve square feet, and it must come down within twenty-four hours after the sale ends.

Key details: Off-premises signs: Prohibited on streets, sidewalks, right-of-way. On-premises signs allowed: 1 sign. Maximum sign size: 12 square feet. Removal deadline: 24 hours after sale ends. Enforcing agency: Norfolk Police Department.

Displaying a garage-sale sign on a public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way, using more than one on-premises sign, exceeding the twelve-square-foot size cap, or failing to remove the sign within twenty-four hours of the sale's end are each violations enforced by the Norfolk Police Department under Sec. 38-105. Chapter 38's general penalty provision applies absent a more specific fine listed for this section.

Political Signs

Any sign placed in a Norfolk right-of-way, political or otherwise, technically needs council authorization under § 42-10(b). But § 42-10(e) exempts political signs, along with civic league and real estate signs, from the city's fast-track citizen-designee removal program, so only the director of public works, police, special police or the fire marshal can take them down.

Key details: Governing section: Norfolk Code § 42-10(b), (e). Baseline rule: ROW signs need council authorization. Political sign carve-out: Exempt from citizen-designee removal. Who can still remove them: Public works director, police, fire marshal. Penalty for unauthorized sign: Class 1 misdemeanor, § 42-10(g).

An unauthorized sign of any kind, including a political sign, left in the right-of-way in violation of § 42-10(b) is a Class 1 misdemeanor under subsection (g), with each day of violation a separate offense. If the sign is not removed after an order to do so, the director of public works may remove it and bill the responsible person for the cost, which becomes collectible as a lien on real property under subsection (d).

The rules around political signs in Norfolk lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Norfolk's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Norfolk is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Norfolk's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.