SIGN PERMIT

Sign permits are required to regulate signs placed for exterior observance so as to protect the safety and character of the various communities in the County. Copies of the Sign Code are available from:

WHEN A SIGN PERMIT IS REQUIRED

• All commercial/industrial identification signs attached to the exterior of any building or erected anywhere on the property (includes signs placed and removed every day of the week)
• Temporary real estate/construction site signs over six square feet in area
• Residential home occupation signs
• Temporary subdivision approach signs
• Permanent identification signs, i.e., subdivisions, apartments, schools, religious facilities, public/quasi-public institutions
• Illuminated signs also require electrical permits
• Private traffic directional signs with logos or business name
• Any sign attached to the exterior of a building window, wall or roof and any freestanding sign erected on the property

WHEN A PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED

• Onsite temporary sign announcing public, charitable, educational or religious events (maximum size is 32 sq. ft. in area)
• Private traffic directional signs on the premises without logos or business names
• Temporary real estate directional signs not exceeding 3 square feet in area and 4 in number on approach routes to an open house are allowed in the county right-of-way between the hours of 4:00 p.m. Friday and noon on the following Monday
• Temporary onsite real estate signs not exceeding 6 square feet
• Temporary onsite construction site signs not exceeding 6 square feet
• Political campaign signs only erected on private property. Residential maximum square footage allowed per property - 9 sq. ft., Commercial maximum square footage allowed per property - 32 sq. ft. (total allowed is per property, not per candidate)
• Single family name and address signs
• Flags of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution or non-commercial organization (Corporate flags are limited to one per parcel)
• Permanent signs on vending/dispensing machines
• Grand opening banners (maximum size is 32 sq. ft.), display time is a maximum of two weeks

PROHIBITED SIGNS

Pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings of light bulbs, balloons or other similar or moving devices

Banners, other than grand opening banners, and permitted temporary signs

Off site signs (signs which advertise a business which is not conducted at the place where the sign is erected)

Signs attached to utility poles, traffic signs, or trees

Signs in the County public road right-of-way (State law also prohibits signs within State road right-of-ways)

SIGN PLACEMENT GUIDELINES (COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL SIGNS)

• SETBACK – Freestanding signs must be set back from the road right-of-way (one foot for each square foot of sign area, or two feet for each foot of height, whichever is greater).
  
  
• Exception: Real estate signs and permanent identification signs for communities, apartment developments, churches and institutions do not require setback from the right-of-way. However, they must be behind the property line and on the site to which they pertain.
  
  
• HEIGHT
  • Freestanding signs – maximum height is 26 feet
  • Wall signs shall not extend above top of the wall or cover any part of a window
  • Roof signs shall not exceed height of the building
  
  
  
• SIZE – A total sign area of two square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage shall be allowed.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for sign permits are received at the Permits Counter on the first floor of the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD, 21043 (410-313-2455). Applications may also be filed by mail. The sign permit application must be completed and include the property owner’s signature, one sign drawing showing building elevation, if applicable, one site development plan/plat showing location of sign if sign is freestanding, and the permit fee. All plans and drawings must be drawn to scale with all dimensions denoted on the drawing or plans. A location survey and/or plat was provided at the time of settlement. Check your settlement documentation for a copy. If you cannot locate the settlement papers, your Lending Institution should also have a copy. You can also call the Clerk of the Court, Land Records Division at 410-313-2111 to research your property.

Permit processing time is generally 7 to 10 days, if all the correct information is submitted with the sign application. A separate electrical permit must be filed for all illuminated signs.

PERMIT FEES

Permit fee schedules are available at the Front Counter of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.

PERMIT EXPIRATION

A sign permit is null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of 6 months after the date of the permit issuance. A permit may be renewed upon written request of the permit holder.

SIGN VARIANCES

Signs are subject to size and height limitations as well as setback requirements. The Board of Appeals may grant variances from these requirements when the Petitioner demonstrates that the sign and property comply with the sign variance requirements of Section 3.512 of the Howard County Code.

The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits evaluates the petition and drafts a Memorandum, recommending granting or denial of the petitition, which is forwarded to the Board of Appeals or the Hearing Examiner for consideration. The Board of Appeals is not bound by the recommendations. (The Board of Appeals publishes a Rules of Procedure booklet that is available to the public).

You are required to advertise the hearing in two newspapers at least 30 days in advance of the hearing and to post the subject property.

Any questions regarding the appeals process may be directed to 410-313-2350.

FEES FOR VARIANCE

Filing fees are based upon rates set by the County Council and are adjusted periodically. The fees are stated on the petition forms available from the Department of Planning and Zoning (410-313-2350).

If the petition involves land use, usually the property must be posted. The Department of Planning and Zoning will prepare the necessary posters and charge a fee per poster. The poster fees are non-refundable. Fees are payable to the Howard County Director of Finance.

Please see the Planning and Zoning Web Page for further information.

TIME LIMITS

Both a conditional use and variance become void unless a building permit conforming to the granted plans within 2 years and thereafter substantial construction is completed within 3 years of the date of the Decision and Order.

WHO TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE

• Sign Code Interpretations/Future Signage Issues-Plan Review Division
  410-313-2436
• Sign Application/Permit Submittal/Fee Issues-Licenses and Permits
  410-313-2455
• Sign Enforcement/Inspections or Complaints-Inspections and Enforcement Division
  410-313-1830
• TTY 410-313-2323