# Sign Regulations in Annapolis, Maryland

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Annapolis, Maryland, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Annapolis, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/annapolis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MD/Annapolis/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT21PLZO_DIVVREGEAP_CH21.70SIRE)

## At a glance

Annapolis, Maryland regulates 33 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Pole or Ground, up to 2 businesses)s in the B2, B3, B3-CD, BCE zoning district are capped at Pole: 15 ft; Ground: 12 ft tall and Pole: 20 sf; Ground: 30 sf, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B)). Most commercial signs in Annapolis require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 15 ft | 32 sf per face | — |
| B1 | 5 | 15 ft | max 100 sf per lot; max 30 sf per face | — |
| B2, B3, B3-CD, BCE | 8 | 15 ft | max 120 sf per lot; max 75 sf per sign | — |
| BR | 3 | 15 ft | max 100 sf per lot; max 30 sf per face | — |
| C2, C2A, C2P | 2 | 15 ft | 30 sf per building | — |
| P, PM | 5 | 15 ft | 30 sf | — |
| PM2 | 5 | 20 ft | 64 sf | — |
| I1 | 5 | 18 ft | 120 sf | — |
| MX | 5 | 15 ft | max 100 sf per lot, max 30 sf per face | — |
| WMC | 6 | 22 ft | 100 sf | — |
| WME, WMI, WMM | 6 | 22 ft | 120 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### B2, B3, B3-CD, BCE

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 15 ft | max 120 sf per lot; max 75 sf per sign | — | — | No limit, up to total allowed area | Wall-mounted | — | Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Ground, up to 2 businesses) | Pole: 15 ft; Ground: 12 ft | Pole: 20 sf; Ground: 30 sf | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Frontage; not in public way/over water | — | Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Ground, 3+ businesses) | Pole: 15 ft; Ground: 12 ft | Pole: 24 sf; Ground: 30 sf | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Frontage; not in public way/over water | — | Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B) |
| Multi-tenant Facility Identification Sign | 15 ft | 64 sf | — | 15 ft (WMC 5 ft; I1 etc. 10 ft) | 1 per frontage | Ground sign, monument style | — | Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B) |
| Tenant Sign, Wall-mounted | 15 ft | 40 sf per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant (+1 for corner tenant) | Wall-mounted | — | Sign Table 2, 21.70.080(B) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4.5 ft | 7 sf per face | — | — | 1 per tenant | Sidewalk (see sidewalk sign standards) | — | Sign Table 2; 21.70.050(G) |
| Business Community Identification Sign | 6 ft | 30 sf | — | — | 1 per entry | Entry to community | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Marquee Sign | 15 ft | 120 sf | — | — | 1 | At building entrance/canopy | — | Sign Table 2 |

### WMC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 22 ft | 100 sf | — | — | No limit up to area | Wall-mounted | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole) | 10 ft | 12 sf | — | 0 ft (WMC) | 1 | Freestanding on lot | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Multi-tenant Facility Identification Sign | 15 ft | 64 sf | — | 5 ft | 1 per street | Ground, monument or wall-mounted sign | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Tenant Sign, Wall-mounted | 15 ft | 40 sf per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant (+1 for corner) | Wall | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Marine Refueling Facility Sign on Pier | 10 ft | 6 sf per face | — | — | 1 per facility | On pier | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4.5 ft | 7 sf per face | — | — | 1 per tenant | Sidewalk | — | Sign Table 2 |

### WME, WMI, WMM

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 22 ft | 120 sf | — | — | No limit up to area | Wall-mounted | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Ground) | Pole: 15 ft; Ground: 12 ft | Pole: 20 sf (up to 2 businesses), 24 sf (3+); Ground: 30 sf | — | 5 ft | 1 per frontage | On lot | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Multi-tenant Facility Identification Sign | 15 ft | 64 sf | — | 10 ft | 1 per frontage | Ground, monument or wall-mounted | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Tenant Sign, Wall-mounted | 15 ft | 40 sf per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant (+1 for corner) | Wall | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Marine Refueling Facility Sign on Pier | 10 ft | 6 sf per face | — | — | 1 per facility | On pier | — | Sign Table 2 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4.5 ft | 7 sf per face | — | — | 1 per tenant | Sidewalk | — | Sign Table 2 |

## Prohibited signs in Annapolis

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs (a sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building, structure or the ground but not including sidewalk signs) are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Rooftop signs are prohibited.
- Signs projecting above the rooflines of buildings are prohibited.
- Snipe signs (non-governmental signs attached to trees or poles) are prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct a clear view to and from traffic along any street right-of-way, entrance or exit.
- A sight visibility triangle shall be kept free of obstructions to vision between the heights of two and one-half feet and twelve feet above the street.
- No sign may project beyond the property line into a public way.
- Illumination is not permitted on exempt signs.
- Signs must not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or visibility, or adversely affect the safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic (specific to sidewalk signs, but generally applicable as well).
- Signs associated with an activity on a vacated premises shall be removed, altered or resurfaced within one month from the time such activity ceases so that the sign does not display visual communication pertaining to the former activity.

## Signs exempt from permit in Annapolis

- A single nameplate for a dwelling unit, not exceeding one square foot in area, indicating the name or address of the occupant or a permitted occupation.
- On a corner lot, two nameplates for a dwelling unit, one facing each street, are permitted.
- Address numerals.
- For sale and 'to rent' signs: one sign per zoning lot (or two on a corner lot), up to twelve square feet in area in commercial and industrial districts and up to nine square feet in all other districts, with restrictions on proximity to other signs and maximum height.
- Signs accessory to parking areas: entrance/exit signs up to two square feet, one sign for conditions of use or identity up to nine square feet, with restrictions on number and placement.
- Temporary signs: banners, flags, and advertising devices for two events per year for up to thirty days each with approval, temporary signs for community/civic projects or special events up to thirty-two square feet for sixty days, construction site signs up to thirty-two square feet, garage or yard sale signs, Christmas tree/produce sales signs up to six square feet per frontage.
- Window displays: signs inside a structure as part of a bona fide window display related to merchandise/services inside or public welfare/interest.
- Permanent memorial signs and tablets lawfully displayed on public property or in cemeteries.
- Legal notices.
- Traffic and parking signs that bear no advertising.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No signs except signs exempted by this chapter may be erected unless a sign permit has been issued by the Director of Planning and Zoning pursuant to Chapter 17.60.
- An integrated sign program, as defined in Division VI, is required for all commercial office complexes, shopping centers, and multi-tenant facilities. The establishment of an integrated sign program for existing developments is strongly encouraged.
- Individual signs in commercial office complexes, shopping centers, and multi-tenant facilities shall be reviewed for conformity with the integrated sign program whether newly established or existing.
- Posting of property for sign permits is not required where a sign program (integrated sign program) has been approved in conjunction with the approval of a Site Design Plan under Section 21.70.080.
- A certificate of approval from the Historic Preservation Commission is required for all new signs and existing signs that are to be altered in size, shape, content or location within the historic district.
- Variances to sign limitations may be granted by the Board of Appeals, but the entire signage on the lot must meet the design provisions set forth in Section 21.70.050(E).

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 12 zoning districts in Annapolis — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Annapolis+MD&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-annapolis

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