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Signage Policy
Adopted by the
Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
November 18, 2009

Signage is critically important to nearly every business and consequently, is vital to Loudoun County's overall business competitiveness and economic development potential. In fact, the Board of Supervisors recognized the importance of signage and recommended updating the Loudoun County Sign Ordinance at its strategic planning retreat on July 23, 2008.

Because the existing signage regulations have not been amended since 1993 and are unnecessarily complicated, limiting and confusing, the Chamber strongly supports updating the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance with regard to signage immediately so that the County’s sign policy enhances the County’s ability to attract and retain companies that want to be located in Loudoun County.

Loudoun County’s Sign Ordinance needs to be supportive and reflective of current development trends, allow Loudoun to be competitive with surrounding jurisdictions, and provide clarity and a reasonable application process for current businesses and prospects. Specifically, the Chamber endorses changes that will:

• Provide by-right signage of adequate number, size and location to be approved administratively, without the need for legislative review and approval;
• Enhance the functionality of signage, such that it will appropriately market Loudoun’s existing and future businesses to visitors and supplement VDOT directional signage (through the permissibility of off-lot signage and other mechanisms);
• Enable property owners in all commercial districts to avail themselves of adequate signage and allow property owners in non-PD districts to apply for comprehensive sign plans;
• Protect the visual beauty of Loudoun County without sacrificing the commercial tax base and the growth of Loudoun’s businesses; and
• Provide flexibility to allow the County to be responsive to unique project circumstances and evolving market trends.

Additionally, we support the type of recommendations that the Volunteer Working Group has suggested to reduce confusion with clear definitions of sign terminology and a simplified sign matrix, as well as improved and expanded processes for sign permits and approvals. We hope that Staff’s agreement with many of the Volunteer Working Group’s suggestions will result in an expedited Sign Ordinance revision process.

The Chamber urges the County to give these changes the highest priority on the County's agenda because these regulations are intrinsically tied to the success of Loudoun businesses and the future of Loudoun County's commercial tax base.