County Steps Up Sign Enforcement

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Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Robert Hubbard, 240-777-6363

For Immediate Release: January 22, 2001

County Steps Up Sign Enforcement

As part of a campaign to more aggressively enforce Montgomery County's sign regulations, Department of Permitting Services (DPS) officials conducted a sign sweep of major roads on December 12, 2000 and confiscated about 300 signs illegally posted in the public right of way. The right of way includes all property between any utility poles, sidewalks or street side drainage swales. Another sign sweep is scheduled for January 31.

"Montgomery County's Zoning Ordinance is designed to encourage the effective use of signs in order to maintain and enhance the appearance of our communities and, more importantly, to improve the safety of both pedestrians and motorists," said Robert Hubbard, director of the Department of Permitting Services. "Many people may not be aware that there are rules about posting signs. Through our ongoing public education campaign, we hope to help people understand what they need to know before they erect a sign."

Any sign that can be viewed from beyond the property lines where the sign is located is subject to the County's sign regulations, with the exception of signs on private property that are two square feet or less in size and associated with lawful residential activities, warning signs, official signs, and seasonal decorations. The County's sign regulations prohibit signs posted in the median strip or on utility poles, official street signs or traffic control devices. Also prohibited are roof signs; obstructive signs; unsafe signs; and signs that move, such as banners, pennants, balloons, and streamers that are visible beyond property lines.

A sign permit is required to post a permanent sign that is displayed for an indefinite period of time and a non-permanent sign that will be posted for up to one year. Temporary or non-permanent signs displayed on private property for no more than 30 days do not need a permit. Applications for sign permits are available from DPS at 255 Rockville Pike, Rockville, or by calling 240-777-6240.

Property owners or their agents or lessees, or a sign installer are responsible for compliance with the sign regulations and obtaining the required permits. The penalty for violating the sign regulations is a $500 civil citation and/or removal of the violating sign.

To make the public more aware of the County's sign regulations, a new brochure was sent to more than 1,000 organizations in the County, including businesses, retailers, libraries, government centers, churches, sign companies, hardware stores, civic associations, PTA's, real estate agencies, and Montgomery County Boards and Commissions, for distribution to residents and employees.

For more information about sign permits, call 240-777-6240 or check the County's website at http://www.co.mo.md.us/services/permitting/z/nfs.htm. To report an illegal sign, call the zoning investigation hotline at 240-777-6259.

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