Albemarle County, VA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Billboards
- Prohibited outright, § 18-4.15.8(c)(4)
- Electric message signs
- Allowed with BZA special use permit
- Approving body
- Board of Zoning Appeals, § 18-34.5
- State law cross-reference
- Va. Code §§ 33.2-1216, 33.2-1217
- Extra step
- Special use permit plus standard sign permit
Summary
Billboards are banned outright in every zoning district in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville under Code of Albemarle § 18-4.15.8(c)(4). A digital or electric message sign isn't a billboard under the ordinance, but it still needs a special use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals under § 18-4.15.7(d), on top of a standard sign permit, before it can go up.
Sec. 4.15.7 - Signs authorized by special use permit; off-site directional signs, off-site bundle signs, signs in a public right-of-way, electric message signs. The following signs are authorized by a special use permit granted by the board of zoning appeals under section 34.5, provided that a sign permit required by section 4.15.5 is also obtained for the sign, the sign complies with all applicable requirements of this section 4.15, and the following: ... d.Electric message signs. A proposed electric message sign shall comply with all applicable requirements of section 4.15 and Virginia Code §§ 33.2-1216 and 33.2-1217. ... Sec. ... 4.15.8 - Prohibited signs and sign characteristics. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section 4.15, the following signs and sign characteristics are prohibited in all districts: ... c.Certain sign types. Signs that are: ... 4.Billboards.
Full Breakdown
The Zoning Ordinance treats billboards and electric message signs very differently. 8(c) flatly prohibits billboards as a sign type in every zoning district in the county, with no special use permit or variance path around it; the prohibition sits alongside bans on animated signs, flashing signs, moving signs and roof signs in the same subsection. 5. 2-1217, the state outdoor-advertising statutes governing electronic message displays along highways. 5.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a billboard anywhere in the county violates § 18-4.15.8(c)(4) outright and the zoning administrator can order it removed with no permit path to legalize it. Putting up an electric message sign without the Board of Zoning Appeals special use permit required by § 18-4.15.7(d) is a separate violation that can bring a stop-work order until the special use permit is obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are billboards allowed in Albemarle County?
Can a business install a digital LED sign?
What's the difference between a billboard and an electric message sign under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albemarle County
Compare Albemarle County to another location·View the Virginia sign regulations overview
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