The Baltimore County Council has enacted the first comprehensive overhaul of the signage regulations since their original adoption in 1955.

Bill 89-97 repeated the existing regulations and adopted a new section 450 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations.

Central to the new enactment is a multi-page “table of sign regulations.” Eighteen different classes of signs and ten structural types of signs are depicted on the table that is intended to ease comprehension of the complex regulations.

The new regulations are substantively significant in that they generally permit fewer signs and require smaller signs than were previously permitted.

While the regulations guarantee each business the right to erect a sign, the size of wall mounted signs has been reduced to an area (in square feet) equivalent to two-times the length of the wall upon which the signs are to be mounted. Only one freestanding sign, with an area of 75 square feet, is permitted for each premises.

Of significance is that existing signs will not continue to exist as valid non-conforming uses, but rather the legislation requires that existing signage be brought into compliance with the new standards within 15 years.

The new sign regulations are a substantial departure from the County’s regulations of the past, and should be reviewed by every business owner.