C. - Exemptions.
The following signs shall not require a sign permit:
1.
Signs erected by the governments of the city or state, such as traffic, warning, directional, street, or regulatory signs which are directly related to the health, safety, convenience or welfare of the community.
2.
Commemorative plaques and historical markers erected by a recognized historical agency or authorized by a government body.
3.
Flags of the Commonwealth of Virginia or United States of America.
4.
Small signs displaying a building's address.
5.
Seasonal displays and decorations which do not advertise a product or service.
6.
Temporary signs for official notices.
7.
One "Private Property," "No Trespassing," "Beware of Dog," or similar sign, not exceeding one and one-half square feet in area, but only where such warning is justifiable.
8.
Normal maintenance and repair of a conforming sign.
9.
Change of advertised copy on a sign or marquee designed and approved for replaceable copy.
10.
Traffic control signs as deemed necessary and approved by the city or the state department of transportation.
11.
One temporary real estate sign advertising property for sale, rent, lease, build-to-suit, or sign announcing future construction. Such sign shall:
a.
Not exceed six (6) square feet in area in any residential district or thirty-two (32) square feet in area in any other district.
b.
Shall be removed within one week of occupancy of the property.
c.
Not exceed six (6) feet in height.
12.
Political campaign signs on private property. Campaign signs shall not be placed on utility poles, traffic control signs or trees or within public rights-of-way. Campaign signs shall be removed no later than thirty (30) days after the election.
13.
Signs displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, including signs which identify restrooms, location of public telephones, handicapped parking spaces, public entrances, freight entrances or similar, provided such signs do not exceed a total surface area of three (3) square feet per sign on any lot or parcel.
14.
Signs displayed on a truck, bus, or other vehicle while in use in the normal conduct of business. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the parking of, for display purposes, a vehicle to which a sign is attached or the use of such a vehicle solely as a sign.
15.
One two-sided sandwich board or A-frame sign, not to exceed nine (9) square feet per side, advertising a permitted commercial use, and which is displayed only during business hours. Sandwich boards shall be located in such a way that they do not pose a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
16.
Wall or ground signs in a private parking lot to identify entrances, exits and divisions of the lot into sections and to control vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the lot, provided each sign does not exceed four (4) square feet in area.
17.
Window "stickers," "statics" or "clings."
18.
Murals or other works of art, when not used for commercial or advertising purposes.
19.
Restorations of existing advertising deemed historic by the zoning administrator or ARB.
20.
Signs erected by a department of the governmental body, such as, but not limited to, event advertising or directional signs which are directly related to community events being hosted in the city.
21.
Open/closed signs, or similar, not exceeding four (4) square feet provided that the sign is located inside the structure.