Hampton, VA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Sign type allowed
- One wall sign only
- Maximum size
- 1 square foot
- Freestanding signs
- Not permitted
- Governing rule
- Sec. 10-5(3)(e)
Summary
Home occupations in Hampton may display only one wall sign, capped at one square foot, under the zoning ordinance's incidental-sign allowance for home-based uses.
(e)In conjunction with a home occupation, one wall sign not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area.(f)In conjunction with a public art display, one wall or freestanding sign not to exceed two (2) square feet in sign area.(g)In conjunction with outdoor seating areas, one (1) sign located within the designated outdoor seating area, provided that the sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area and four (4) feet in height, shall not contain lighting, and shall be movable with flat footing.(h)In conjunction with a building containing multiple establishments, one wall sign affixed to each establishment's door or immediately adjacent thereto, not to exceed two (2) square feet in sign area.(4)In addition to the other permitted signs as set forth in this section, the following signs are permitted in conjunction with an establishment:(a)Freestanding monument signs completely screened from view by someone standing at ground level from any public right-of-way due to a physical obstruction including, but not limited to, a building, screening, landscaping, or opaque fencing. The dimensional requirements of each such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in sign height, four (4) feet in sign width, and sixteen (16) square feet in sign area. (Ord. No. Z16-14, 7-13-2016; Ord. No. Z20-05, 2-26-2020; Ord. No. Z21-02, 2-10-2021; Ord. No. Z21-04, 8-11-2021)
Sec. 10-5.1. - Flag and flagpole regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton's sign chapter lists home occupations among the uses given a narrow allowance for extra signage beyond the standard freestanding/wall sign tables: a single wall sign, not to exceed one square foot in area. The rule sits alongside similar incidental allowances for drive-thrus, auto dealers, gas stations, and outdoor seating, so it functions as a carve-out rather than the general commercial sign standard. No freestanding sign, monument sign, or second wall sign is authorized for a home-based business under this provision, the one-square-foot wall sign is the entire allowance for the use.
Violations & Fines
A home occupation sign larger than one square foot, a second sign, or any freestanding sign is a sign-code violation enforceable by the zoning administrator under Chapter 10's permit and removal provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a sign in my yard for my home business?
How big can my home business sign be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
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