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1. Are signs allowed in Residential Zoning Districts?

Commercial type signs are prohibited in residential districts. Exceptions include grandfathered signs (signs that existed before the sign ordinance was adopted) and auxiliary type signs. Auxiliary signs can be a maximum of 4 square feet and may only identify the name and address of the occupant of an individual residence or a historically significant site.

2. Where is my property line relative to the street/curb?

In most cases, private property starts approximately 5’ from the curb line or street. You may contact the City’s Engineering Department who will come to your property and attempt to locate the property line along the street, however they will not actually conduct a survey. If the City is unable to locate the property line, a professional surveyor should be consulted.

3. What do I need to obtain a sign permit?

An individual should contact the City to determine the amount of sign area allowed given the location and particular zoning district. A drawing is required that shows the proposed location and size of the sign (colors are required if located in the Historic district). The cost is $1 per square foot of sign area, with a minimum fee of $10.

4. What is the ETJ and how does it affect me?

The “ETJ” stands for Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, and is the area within one mile of the City Limits of Fredericksburg. The City enforces it’s Subdivision Ordinance and Sign Regulations within the ETJ. If you have a question as to whether or not your property is within the ETJ, you my visit the maps on the City’s web site or contact the Planning Department.

5. What can I do about a junky or weedy lot, or junked vehicles?

You may contact the City’s Code Enforcement Officer to report such a situation. The Code Enforcement Officer will investigate the situation and, if it is determined that there is a code violation, the officer will contact the owner of the property and request that they remedy the situation. If the problem persists, a letter is sent to the property owner, who is given 10 days to rectify the problem.

6. What about Garage Sale signs?

The sign ordinance does not apply only to commercial businesses!

As you are planning garage sales or other events, please keep in mind that city ordinance limits each property to a maximum of 3 per year and prohibits signs posted on trees, utility poles, stakes, fences or other objects when the advertising content of the sign is not applicable to the use of the premise upon which the sign is located.

In other words, you are not allowed to attach a poster to a utility pole directing traffic to your garage sale several blocks away; however, if the garage sale is on your property, you may place the sign on your property only.

Likewise, if you are having a fundraiser, you may not tack signs to poles that are not on the premises of the fundraiser.

If anyone has any questions or comments, they are encouraged to call the code enforcement officer at 997-7521.