Signage
Signs can enhance the appearance of a business property; serve as effective business identification; and help maintain a quality community appearance. According to the Municipal Code, “No sign shall be erected, relocated or structurally altered within the City unless a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. A separate permit shall be required for each sign.”
Print and fill out this Sign Permit Form and take it to the Building Inspector’s Office at City Hall.
Please allow the Building Inspector 20 business days from receipt of the application to review the sign permit application and render a decision.
If the Building Inspector fails to render a decision on an application within 20 business days, and it appears to meet the provisions of this code and other applicable regulations, the applicant shall be issued a permit for the sign immediately.
A written explanation of denial shall be provided, upon the request of the applicant, for any denied permit application.
All decisions rendered by the Building Inspector concerning sign permit applications may be appealed to the Berryville Planning Commission by the applicant.
The permit for any sign not constructed and/or erected within six months of the date of issuance shall be void. The applicant may resubmit another permit application, but they must pay an additional permit fee.
Banners: $5.00 placed no more than 30 days prior to the event and removed 72 hours after the event
Exceptions: Any banner which advertises a charitable or religious event or a non-profit fundraising event shall be exempt from the permit fee, but must submit a permit application and obtain a permit.
All other signs: $10.00 (plus 25 cents per square foot of the signage area.)
Permit Exemptions: Memorial signs and building markers, election campaign signs. realty signs and signs affixed to glass surfaces of businesses.
Penalty of Violation: $100.00 for failure to get a sign permit. Each day that the violation continues will be considered a separate offense.
No signs may be painted on or attached to trees, rocks or other natural formations, fence posts or utility poles.
No signs may be placed on public property, except as authorized by the City of Berryville or other applicable governmental institution.
For the Appearance Code and Design Guidelines for various kinds of signs refer to Section 16.04.02 Types of signs included are:
- Wall Signs
- Projecting Signs
- Free-Standing Signs
- Flashing Signs
- Temporary Signs
- Highway/Commercial Signs
- Industrial Signs
- Residential/Office Signs
- Residential Area Identification Signs
If the Building Inspector determines that any sign or advertisement is in violation of this code, he will give written notice to the sign owner to remove the sign, or to bring it into compliance within 30 days after receipt of the notice. The Inspector may also cause any sign which is an immediate safety hazard to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice. Subsequent written notices shall be given to the sign owner as soon as possible. If the sign owner shall fail to remove the offending sign, or to bring it into compliance with the ordinance within 30 days, the Building Inspector will have the sign removed. The cost of removing a sign will be billed to the sign owner.
All permanent signs must be submitted to the Building Inspector for review and permitting. New signage as part of a larger development or signage which does not meet the applicable design guidelines must be approved by the Planning Commission.
For more information on this process, please contact the Building Inspector at City Hall.
