Frederick County, VA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

04 governs signage in the IA, Interstate Area Overlay District, created under Part 505 of the zoning ordinance to let commercial businesses near designated interstate interchanges use larger signs than Article VIII, Part 809 normally allows, so drivers on I-81 can spot services before they exit. 7, and that the sign will not adversely affect neighboring residential land. Once designated, a parcel is limited to one interstate overlay sign, which must sit back at least 10 feet from every lot line and meet the underlying district's other setback rules; if the sign exceeds the underlying district's height limit and sits near residential-zoned or residentially used land, the setback grows by one extra foot for every foot the sign rises above that height cap.

Total sign area cannot exceed 300 square feet, though a single support structure serving more than one qualifying business on one parcel can carry up to 500 combined square feet. Every interstate overlay sign must also stand at least 25 feet above the base of its support structure, and the maximum allowed height is pegged to mean sea level elevation by the nearest interstate exit number, a table that runs from 750 feet above sea level near Exit 315 up to 815 feet near Exit 317.