Loudoun County, VA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Loudoun County Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance §5-1200 (Signs) regulates political and noncommercial signs as a subcategory of temporary signs. Key rules: (1) Size: residential zones limit single-face political signs to 6 square feet per sign and 16 sq ft total per property; commercial and industrial zones allow up to 32 sq ft. (2) Placement: on private property only with owner's consent; signs in public rights-of-way (medians, utility strips, sidewalks) prohibited per Ord. §5-1200 and Virginia Code §33.2-1224 (VDOT roads). (3) Time limits: signs may be posted at any time but must be removed within 10 days after an election per §5-1200 temporary sign provisions. No permit required. (4) Content-neutral: per Reed v. Town of Gilbert (576 U.S. 155, 2015), localities cannot impose content-based restrictions — Loudoun's sign ordinance treats political signs as part of general temporary/noncommercial signs with neutral rules on size, placement, and duration. (5) HOAs and community associations may impose stricter covenants — but Virginia has limits: VA Code §55.1-1819 (COA) prohibits HOAs from banning political signs outright but allows reasonable size/time restrictions. Loudoun County Office of Elections oversees campaign finance and electioneering rules separately under VA §24.2-101 et seq. — electioneering within 40 feet of a polling place entrance prohibited on election day under VA §24.2-604. Campaign signs on VDOT rights-of-way are removed by VDOT or by county code enforcement and may be fined. Sheriff's Office may issue citations.