Hampton, VA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Radius requirement
- 1,000 feet of interstate/arterial junction
- Height cap
- 45 feet
- Condition
- Remove nonconforming signs first
- Governing rule
- Sec. 10-5(2)
Summary
Commercial properties near an interstate interchange in Hampton can add one extra freestanding sign up to 45 feet tall, but only within 1,000 feet of an interstate/arterial intersection and only after removing existing nonconforming signs.
(2)An additional Interstate/Arterial sign shall be permitted in all commercial districts as an optional incentive, provided the following conditions are met:(a)The sign is located within a 1,000' radius of the intersection of the centerline of an interstate highway right-of-way and the centerline of an arterial street right-of-way (as listed in the comprehensive plan) with direct access to that interstate.(b)The sign complies with the City of Hampton Landscape Guidelines.(c)All non-conforming signage otherwise located on the subject property is removed prior to approval of the sign permit.(d)The property upon which the sign is to be located has direct access to the applicable arterial street.(e)The sign shall not exceed 45' in height.
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 zoning ordinance treats an 'Interstate/Arterial sign' as an optional bonus available in any commercial district, on top of the standard freestanding and wall sign allowances in the sign tables. To qualify, the sign must sit within a 1,000-foot radius of where an interstate right-of-way crosses a comprehensive-plan-listed arterial street, the property must have direct access to that arterial, all non-conforming signage on the property has to come down before the permit issues, and the sign follows the City of Hampton Landscape Guidelines. The new sign is capped at 45 feet in height. Large educational or medical campuses of 50-plus contiguous acres qualify for a bigger version, up to 672 square feet.
Violations & Fines
A sign exceeding 45 feet, sited outside the 1,000-foot radius, or approved while non-conforming signage remains on the property does not qualify and can be denied or ordered removed by the zoning administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business near I-64 get an extra sign?
Do I have to remove old signs to get the bonus sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia sign regulations overview
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