For the purpose of this article, certain terms and words pertaining to signs are hereby defined. The general rules of construction contained in Article XIV are applicable to these definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign relating only to uses of the premises on which the
sign is located or to products sold on the premises on which the sign
is located or indicating the name or address of a structure or the
occupants or management of a structure on the premises where the sign
is located.
A sign not attached to or painted on a structure, but which
is affixed to the ground. A sign attached to a flat surface such as
a fence or wall, not a part of a structure, shall be considered a
detached sign.
A sign with two parallel, or nearly parallel, faces back
to back and located not more than 24 inches from each other.
An illuminated sign on which the artificial or reflected
light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color
at all times when in use. Any sign which revolves or moves, whether
illuminated or not, shall be considered a flashing sign.
Any sign attached to, and erected parallel to the face of,
or erected or painted on the outside wall or window of a structure
and supported throughout its length by such wall or structure and
not extending more than 18 inches from the structure wall.
Any sign, except a neon sign, designed to give forth artificial
light or designed to reflect light from one or more sources of artificial
light erected for the purpose of providing light for the sign.
A sign which does not produce artificial light from within
itself but which is opaque and backlighted or illuminated by spotlights
or floodlights not a part of or attached to the sign itself, or a
sign within but with no exposed or exterior bulbs, tubes or other
light source.
Any sign attached to or hung from a marquee. For the purpose
of this article, a "marquee" is a covered structure projecting from
and supported by the structure with independent roof and drainage
provisions and which is erected over a doorway or doorways as protection
against the weather.
A sign which is attached to and projects more than 18 inches
from the face of a wall of a structure. The term "projecting sign"
includes a marquee sign.
A structure, display or device that is arranged, intended,
designed or used for advertisement, announcement, identification,
description or direction.
That area within a line including the outer extremities of
all letters, figures, characters and delineations, or within a line
including the outer extremities of the framework or background of
the sign, whichever line includes the larger area. The support for
the sign background, whether it be columns, pylon or a structure or
part thereof, shall not be included in the sign area. Only one side
of a double-faced sign shall be included in a computation of sign
area; for other signs with more than one face, each side shall be
included in a computation of sign area. The area of a cylindrical
sign shall be computed by multiplying 1/2 of the circumference by
the height of the sign.
A.
All signs shall meet the definition of "accessory sign."
B.
The following regulations apply generally to all signs and are in
addition to the regulations contained elsewhere in this chapter:
(1)
No sign, unless herein excepted, shall be erected, constructed,
posted, painted, altered, maintained or relocated, except as provided
in this article and in these regulations, until a permit has been
issued by the Administrator. Before any permit is issued, an application
especially provided by the Administrator shall be filed, together
with three sets of drawings and/or specifications [one to be returned
to the applicant] as may be necessary to fully advise and acquaint
the Administrator with the location, construction, materials, manner
of illumination and/or securing or fastening, number of signs applied
for and the wording of the sign or advertisement to be carried on
the sign. All signs which are electrically illuminated shall require
a separate electrical permit and inspection. All signs shall be erected
on or before the expiration of 30 days from the date of issuance of
the permit; otherwise, the permit shall become null and void and a
new permit shall become null and void and a new permit shall be required.
Each sign requiring a permit shall be clearly marked with the permit
number and name of the person or firm placing the sign on the premises.
Fees for sign permits shall be in accordance with the schedule adopted
by ordinance, a copy of which is maintained in the office of the Administrator.
(2)
Structural and safety features and electrical systems shall
be in accordance with the requirements of the applicable codes and
ordinances. No sign shall be approved for use unless it has been inspected
by the department issuing the permit and is found to be in compliance
with all the requirements of this chapter and applicable technical
codes.
(3)
The following signs are exempted from the provisions of these
regulations and may be erected or constructed without a permit, so
long as they are in accordance with the structural and safety requirements
of the applicable codes:
(a)
Official traffic signs or sign structures, provisional warning
signs or sign structures, and municipal directional signs or sign
structures, when erected or required to be erected by a governmental
agency, and temporary signs indicating danger.
(b)
Changing of the copy on a bulletin board, poster board, display
encasement or marquee.
(c)
Temporary nonilluminated signs, not more than six square feet
in area, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated
improvements of real estate, and located on the premises, one such
sign for each street frontage.
(d)
Temporary nonilluminated signs, not more than 10 square feet
in area, erected in connection with new construction work and displayed
on the premises during such time as the actual construction work is
in progress, one such sign for each street frontage.
(e)
Nonilluminated signs warning trespassers or announcing property
as posted.
(f)
Signs on a truck, bus or other vehicle, while in use in the
normal course of business. This section should not be interpreted
to permit parking for display purposes of a vehicle to which signs
are attached in a district where such signs are not permitted.
(4)
The Administrator, upon application as required in this article,
may issue temporary permits for the following signs and displays for
a period not exceeding 30 days when, in his opinion, the use of such
signs and displays would be in the public interest and would not result
in damage to private property:
(a)
Signs advertising a special civic or cultural event such as
a fair or exposition, play, concert or meeting, sponsored by a governmental
or charitable organization.
(b)
Special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations
or promotions for nonpartisan civic purposes.
(c)
Special sales promotion displays in a district where such sales
are permitted, including displays incidental to the opening of a new
business.
(5)
Pennants, banners, streamers and all other fluttering, spinning
or similar types of signs and advertising devices are prohibited,
except for national flags and flags of political subdivisions of the
United States and except for flags of bona fide civic, charitable,
fraternal and welfare organizations, provided that during nationally
recognized holiday periods or during a special civic event, pennants,
banners, streamers and other fluttering, spinning or similar types
of advertising devices pertaining to said periods or events may be
displayed by temporary permit as provided above in this article.
(6)
No flashing signs or exposed neon tubing shall be permitted
in any district.
(7)
No sign which is not an integral part of the structure design
shall be fastened to and supported by or on the roof of a structure,
and no projecting sign shall extend over or above the roofline or
parapet wall of a structure.
(8)
Applications for unusual signs or displays which give rise to
questions of interpretation of these regulations may be referred by
the Administrator to the Board of Appeals for the purpose of interpretation
by the Board and recommendation for action on the application by the
Administrator. If, in the opinion of the Board, the application is
not adequately covered by these regulations, the Board may make recommendations
for amendment of this chapter.
(9)
No sign shall be constructed, erected, used, operated or maintained
which:
(a)
Displays intermittent lights resembling, or seeming to resemble,
the flashing lights customarily associated with danger or such as
are customarily used by police, fire or ambulance vehicles or for
navigation purposes.
(b)
Is so located and so illuminated as to provide a background
of colored lights blending with traffic signal lights to the extent
of confusing a motorist, when viewed from the normal approaching position
of a vehicle at a distance of 25 feet to 300 feet.
(c)
Is located on a public sidewalk.
(10)
Permitted signs for a nonconforming business, commercial or
industrial use in a residential District shall consist of those signs
permitted in the C-1 Community Commercial District.
(11)
Except as otherwise specifically provided in these regulations, all signs shall be subject to the provisions of Article X governing nonconforming uses.
(12)
Except as otherwise provided, these regulations shall be interpreted
to permit one sign of the permitted type, in accordance with applicable
regulations, for each street frontage, for each permitted use on the
premises. For the purpose of this regulation, sign "types" are flat,
detached, projecting, and marquee signs and special purpose signs
specifically listed in the district regulations.
(13)
Except as otherwise provided, any sign may be a flat, detached
or projecting sign, and, except as other wise provided, no detached
sign shall exceed a height of 15 feet.
(14)
Signs of permitted types and sign area may be placed on walls
of structures other than the front, except on side or rear walls facing,
and within 100 feet of, a residential district.
(15)
Unless otherwise specified in these regulations, all signs shall
comply with the yard requirements of the district in which they are
located, provided that one accessory sign may occupy required yards
in a district where such sign is permitted by these regulations, if
such sign is not more than 30 square feet in area and other requirements
of these regulations are complied with.
(16)
No sign, portable or otherwise, is to be placed or located to
conflict with the vision clearance or other requirements of applicable
traffic ordinances.
(17)
No signs shall be attached to trees, utility poles or any other
unapproved supporting structure.
(18)
The owner and/or tenant of the premises and the owner and/or
erector of the sign shall be held responsible for any violation of
these regulations. Where a sign has been erected in accordance with
these regulations, the sign company shall be relieved of further responsibility
under these regulations after final approval of the sign by the Administrator.
(19)
All signs shall be maintained in good condition and appearance.
After due notice has been given as provided below, the Administrator
may cause to be removed any sign which shows gross neglect or becomes
dilapidated.
(20)
The Administrator shall remove or cause to be removed any sign
erected or maintained in conflict with these regulations, if the owner
or lessee of either the site or the sign fails to correct the violation
within 30 days after receiving written notice of violation from the
Administrator. Removal of a sign by the Administrator shall not affect
any proceedings instituted prior to the removal of such sign.
(21)
All signs posting property and/or real estate for sale must
have the zoning classification listed on or attached to such sign
before the sign is placed at or on such property.
(22)
All signs are an accessory use.
(23)
Signs existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and
not conforming to its provisions but which were constructed in compliance
with previous regulations shall be regarded as nonconforming signs.
Any sign existing in violation of this chapter shall be removed, altered,
or repaired in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within
six months of enactment of this chapter.
(24)
Signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service
no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited.
(25)
In mixed-use districts, the sign regulations governing the permitted
use shall apply.
(26)
One detached sign setting forth the name or simple announcement
for any public, charitable, educational, or religious institution
may be permitted on the premises of the institution in all zoning
districts, provided:
[Added 5-10-2012 by Ord.
No. 2012-02]
(a)
The sign does not exceed 40 square feet, or 50 feet if on property
with frontage on Maryland Route 20;
[Amended 9-12-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
(b)
Existing detached signs, if present, are removed;
(c)
The sign is placed on a monument made of brick. The Planning
Commission may approve a base of different materials if, after review
at a public meeting, the Planning Commission finds that the proposed
base material appropriate to the character of the area in which the
sign will be located;
(d)
The overall height of the sign, including the base and outer
extremities of the framework or background of the sign, shall not
exceed seven feet, or eight feet if on property with frontage on Maryland
Route 20;
[Amended 9-12-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
(e)
The overall width of the sign, including the outer extremities
of the framework or background of the sign, shall not exceed nine
feet, or 12 feet if on property with frontage on Maryland Route 20;
[Amended 9-12-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
(f)
Illumination of the sign shall not be brighter than necessary
for clear and adequate visibility;
(g)
Lights from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded,
or directed so that the light intensity or brightness will not be
objectionable to surrounding areas;
(h)
Electronic or graphic display signs must have an automatic dimmer
control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination
level to a lower level one half-hour before sunset and one half-hour
after sunrise. Signs shall not be illuminated between 12:00 midnight
and 8:00 a.m.;
(i)
The electronic display shall contain static messages only. Messages
shall not be changed more than one time per day; and
(j)
Neon or other attention-grabbing colors are prohibited.
(27)
Indirectly illuminated signs shall adhere to the following additional
standards:
[Added 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(a)
External illumination shall be by a steady, stationary light
source, shielded and directed solely at the sign.
(b)
Light fixtures shall be restricted to not more than one shielded
light fixture per side for sign faces up to 40 square feet and not
more than two shielded light fixtures per side for sign faces over
40 square feet.
(c)
Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from
any street right-of-way, nor cause glare hazardous to pedestrians
or operators of motor vehicles or so as to create a nuisance to adjacent
properties.
(d)
All ground-mounted lighting must be obscured by landscaping
approved by the Planning Commission or the Zoning Administrator, as
appropriate.
(e)
The intensity of the light shall not exceed 20 lumens per square
foot at any point on the sign face.
(f)
Signs shall not have light-reflecting backgrounds but may use
light-reflecting lettering or halo lighting.
(g)
Lamps shall only produce a white light.
(h)
Signs shall not be illuminated between 12:00 midnight and 8:00
a.m. unless the premises are open for business.
(i)
Neon or other attention-grabbing colors are prohibited.
A.
R-1 Low Density Residential District. Signs permitted in the R-1
District shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this
article and consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
signs as follows:
(1)
A sign, limited in area to two square feet, to identify the
owner or occupant of a dwelling or structure.
(2)
A private directional sign, limited in area to two square feet.
(3)
No trespassing or no hunting signs, without limitation on number
or placement, limited in area to two square feet.
(4)
A sign on a farm, limited in area to 20 square feet, advertising
products raised on the premises.
(5)
A sign limited in area to 10 square feet, for identification
of a farm or a subdivision.
(6)
A customary church bulletin board, limited in area to 20 square
feet.
(7)
A sign, limited in area to 20 square feet, for identification
of permitted public and semipublic uses or recreational uses.
(8)
A temporary, nonilluminated sign, limited in area to six square
feet, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated
improvements of the real estate on which it is placed.
(9)
A temporary sign, limited in area to six square feet, erected
in connection with new construction work and displayed on the premises
only during such time as the actual construction work is in progress.
(10)
Temporary directional signs at appropriate locations, on or
off the premises, for directing the traveling public, truck deliveries
and employees to a subdivision or community, construction site or
excavation, airport, marina, or other center of employment or visitor
center or recreation facility in an isolated area, limited in area
to six square feet and subject to approval of location, design, duration,
and wording by the Zoning Administrator. This permitted sign is not
intended as an ordinary advertising device.
B.
R-2 Mixed Residential District. Signs permitted in the R-2 District
shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this article and
consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs
as follows:
(1)
Any sign permitted in the R-1 District.
C.
R-3 High Density Residential District. Signs permitted in the R-3
District shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this
article and consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
signs as follows:
D.
C-1 Community Commercial District. Signs permitted in the C-1 District
shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this article and
consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs
as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Flat signs, with total aggregate sign area not more than 10%
of the area of the walls fronting on a street, and no one sign with
a sign area of more than 30 square feet.
(2)
Projecting signs, if there are no marquee or detached signs,
one for each business on the premises, with sign area limited to five
square feet.
(3)
Detached signs, if there are no projecting signs, limited in
area to 30 square feet and limited in height to 15 feet, one for each
business on the premises. A group of three or more contiguous stores,
such as form a shopping center, may combine permitted detached sign
area to provide a single detached sign advertising the group, if there
are no other detached signs and if the combined sign area does not
exceed 60 square feet.
(4)
Marquee signs, if there are no projecting signs, two for each
business on the premises, with sign area for each sign limited to
three square feet.
(5)
Temporary, nonilluminated paper signs in show windows, limited
to 20% of the total glass area of the window in which they are placed.
(6)
Directional signs, limited in area to two square feet, giving
directions to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and
access drives shall be permitted as accessory signs and not included
in any computation of sign area.
E.
C-2 Highway Commercial District. Signs permitted in the C-2 District
shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this article and
consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs
as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Flat signs, with total aggregate sign area not more than 10%
of the area of the walls fronting on a street, and no one sign with
a sign area of more than 60 square feet.
(2)
Projecting signs, if there are no marquee or detached signs,
one for each, business on the premises, with sign area limited to
10 square feet.
(3)
Detached signs, if there are no projecting signs, limited in
area to 30 square feet and limited in height to 30 feet, one for each
business on the premises. A group of three or more contiguous stores,
such as form a shopping center, may combine permitted detached sign
area to provide a single detached sign advertising the group, if there
are no other detached signs and if the combined sign area does not
exceed 100 square feet.
(4)
Marquee signs, if there are no projecting signs, two for each
business on the premises, with sign area for each sign limited to
three square feet.
(5)
Temporary, nonilluminated paper signs in show windows, limited
to twenty percent (30%) of the total glass area of the window in which
they are placed.
(6)
Directional signs, limited in area to two square feet, giving
directions to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and
access drives shall be permitted as accessory signs and not included
in any computation of sign area.
F.
C-3 Town Center Commercial District. Signs permitted in the C-3 District
shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this article and
consist of accessory nonilluminated, or indirectly illuminated signs
as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Any sign permitted in the C-1 District.
G.
MCI Mixed Commercial/Industrial District. Signs permitted in the
MCI District shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this
article and consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
signs as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(2)
Flat signs, limited in area to 100 square feet, one for each
street frontage or one for each industrial structure of more than
20,000 square feet of floor area on the premises.
(3)
A detached sign, limited in area to 100 square feet and limited
in height in 30 feet.
(4)
Directional signs of any type, limited in area to five square
feet, in such number and in such locations as required for proper
management of the premises. Such signs shall not be included in any
computation of sign area.
H.
MRec Maritime Recreational District. Signs permitted in the MRec
District shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this
article and consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
signs as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Any sign permitted in the C-1 District, plus one additional
sign of the permitted type if placed on the water side of a waterfront
property and oriented to be read from boats in the water.
I.
MC Maritime Commercial District. Signs permitted in the MC District
shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this article and
consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs
as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Any sign permitted in the C-1 District, plus one additional
sign of the permitted type if placed on the water side of a waterfront
property and oriented to be read from boats in the water.
J.
MWD Maritime Water-Dependent District. Signs permitted in the MWD
District shall be subject to the general sign regulations of this
article and consist of accessory nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
signs as follows:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1)
Any sign permitted in the C-1 District, plus one additional
sign of the permitted type if placed on the water side of a waterfront
property and oriented to be read from boats in the water.
