Charlottesville, VA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

14 gives a home occupation one exterior sign, provided it meets three conditions: the sign cannot exceed 2 square feet in area, it cannot be illuminated, and it must otherwise meet the general requirements of Div. 11, Signs, which govern permit application, placement and structural standards citywide. Clause 15 reinforces the limit by barring any other evidence or indication visible from outside the dwelling or an accessory building that it is being used for anything but residential occupancy, except for the one sign clause 14 allows, meaning window displays, additional yard signs or illuminated storefront-style signage are all off-limits even if they would otherwise fit within 2 square feet.

The 2-square-foot cap and no-illumination rule are stricter than the standard commercial allowances found elsewhere in Div. 11, reflecting that a home occupation sign is meant to identify the business, not attract drive-by attention the way a retail sign would. 4 separately states homestays are not permitted to have an exterior sign at all, so the one-sign allowance in clause 14 is unique to Home Occupation and does not carry over to short-term rental hosts.