Herndon, VA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Following the 2015 US Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Herndon like most Virginia localities restructured sign regulations to be content-neutral, meaning rules cannot differ based on the message (for example, political versus real estate versus ideological). The Town Zoning Ordinance permits residential yard signs subject to uniform standards: typically no more than 6 square feet per sign face, no higher than 4 feet above grade, and set back from property lines to preserve sight distance at intersections and driveways. Total sign area per residential lot is capped (commonly at 12 square feet aggregate) regardless of the number of signs. Temporary signs during election seasons are permitted but must be removed within 15 days after the election under typical Virginia sign ordinance provisions. Signs cannot be illuminated with flashing or moving lights, cannot be placed in the public right-of-way (including in the strip between sidewalk and curb), and cannot be attached to trees, utility poles, or traffic signs. Violations are civil zoning violations subject to penalties up to 200 dollars per day under VA Code 15.2-2299. HOA sign restrictions in Herndon neighborhoods may be more restrictive than the Town, but VA Code 55.1-1820.1 prohibits HOAs from banning display of political signs during election season on the owner property.