Charleston, WV Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard cap
- 25% of window area
- No wall signs
- up to 50% allowed
- Applies in
- R-O and above districts
- Counts toward cap
- hours/open-closed signs
Summary
In Charleston's R-O and higher zoning districts, window signs can't cover more than 25% of a window's glass area, or 50% if the business has no wall signs.
The allowed square footage of window signs in zoning districts R-O and above shall not exceed 25% of the total square foot area of each window, or up to 50% of the total square foot area of each window if there are no wall signs on the premises. Window sign calculations shall include, but not be limited to, informational signage such as hours of operation and open/closed signs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Charleston's zoning ordinance limits window signage in R-O and higher-intensity districts to 25% of each window's total square foot area. A business gets more room only by giving up wall signage: with no wall signs on the premises, the window sign allowance doubles to 50% of the window area. The city counts more than just posters toward that cap, hours-of-operation notices and open/closed signs are informational signage that counts against the same limit.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can cite a property for exceeding the window coverage cap; correction typically means removing or resizing window signage to get back under 25% (or 50% if wall-sign-free) before the citation is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a hand-written open/closed sign count toward the 25% limit?
How do I get the 50% window sign allowance instead of 25%?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia sign regulations overview
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