# Sign Regulations in Bel Air, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bel Air, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/bel-air
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14976160)

## At a glance

Bel Air, Maryland regulates 52 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - For Sale/For Lease (Commercial Property)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. § 165-107(A)(2)). Most commercial signs in Bel Air require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| R-1 (Low-Density Residential) | 3 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Transition Overlay District | 3 | 10 ft (to top of sign/supporting structure) | Up to 8 sq ft (5 sq ft base + max 3 sq ft additional) | — |
| R-2 (Medium-Density Residential), R-3 (High-Density Residential) | 4 | Freestanding: 6 ft; Projecting: ≤10 ft to top; Clearance 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| R-O (Residential-Office District) | 6 | 15 ft (to top of sign/supporting structure) | 32 sq ft (overall per building) | — |
| B-1 (Limited Business District) | 5 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft (overall per building) | — |
| B-2 (Central Business District), B-2A (Central Business Gateway District) | 19 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-2 (Central Business District) (Shopping Centers), B-2A (Central Business Gateway District) (Shopping Centers) | 5 | 22 ft | 200 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-3 (General Business District), B-3A (General Business Gateway District), M-1 (Industrial District) | 11 | 15 ft (to top of sign/supporting structure) | 52 sq ft | — |
| B-3 (General Business District) (Shopping Centers), B-3A (General Business Gateway District) (Shopping Centers), M-1 (Industrial District) (Shopping Centers) | 5 | 22 ft | 200 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-3 (General Business District) (Industrial Park or Multitenant Office), B-3A (General Business Gateway District) (Industrial Park or Multitenant Office), M-1 (Industrial District) (Industrial Park or Multitenant Office) | 1 | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Residential Subdivision Identification | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One | Located on the property of the subdivision | — | § 165-107(A)(1) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/For Lease (Commercial Property) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | One additional sign while property is for sale/lease | On commercial property; 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 165-107(A)(2) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/For Lease/Under Construction (Residential Property) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | One | On residential property; 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 165-107(A)(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Institutional Uses (All Districts) | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | One at any given time | On property of the institutional use | — | § 165-107(A)(7) |
| Permanent Identification Sign (Destination/Community) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Residential districts: minimum 10 ft; Business/Industrial: minimum 1/2 of required front building setback | One | Destination/community identification | — | § 165-107(B)(1) |
| Institutional Use Signs (Permanent) - Building and Freestanding | Freestanding: 8 ft; Marquee: 6 ft | Freestanding sign: 36 sq ft; Marquee sign: 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way and adjacent property lines | One freestanding and one marquee per institutional use | On-site; setback from right-of-way/property lines | — | § 165-107(B)(2) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 20% of window glass area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | § 165-109(D) |
| Public Signs (Governmental/Regulatory/Directional) | — | ≤ 5 sq ft (horizontal directional signs on pavement exempt from this size cap) | — | — | — | Governmental/public interest locations | — | § 165-109(A) |

### B-2 (Central Business District), B-2A (Central Business Gateway District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft (to top of sign/supporting structure) | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building facade | Projecting from building; one per building facade | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[2] (as amended 9-16-2019) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 15 ft (if setback supports height per 1:1 ratio) | 40 sq ft | — | Front yard height limited by 1:1 ratio to setback; side yard setback ≥ 1/2 minimum building setback | One per lot | Front/side yard areas per setback rules | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][a]-[b] (as amended 6-5-2023); Figure 165-106.III |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (< 100,000 sq ft GFA) | 15 ft | 120 sq ft per sign | — | — | Total number: 1 | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][c] (as amended 6-5-2023) Table |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (100,000 - 200,000 sq ft GFA) | 18 ft | 140 sq ft per sign | — | — | Total number: 2 | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][c] Table |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (200,001 - 300,000 sq ft GFA) | 18 ft | 160 sq ft per sign | — | — | Total number: 3 | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][c] Table |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (300,001 - 400,000 sq ft GFA) | 22 ft | 180 sq ft per sign | — | — | Total number: 4 | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][c] Table |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (> 400,000 sq ft GFA) | 22 ft | 200 sq ft per sign | — | — | Total number: 5 | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[3][c] Table |
| Temporary Sign/Banner - Freestanding or Building-Attached | 6 ft for freestanding/banners (except sandwich boards) | 24 sq ft | — | Consistent with permanent freestanding signs | — | On-site; freestanding or attached to building | — | § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[4][b]-[c] (as amended 6-5-2023) |

### B-3 (General Business District), B-3A (General Business Gateway District), M-1 (Industrial District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total Advertising Area (All Building Signs) | — | Variable by frontage; max 36 sq ft for lots without buildings | — | — | — | On building/site | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(a) (as amended 6-5-2023) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft (to top of sign/supporting structure) | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building | Projecting from building; one per building | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft (measured above nearest public road grade) | 52 sq ft | — | Front and side yard setbacks ≥ 1/2 minimum building setback | One per lot | Front and side yard areas | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)3.a-b (as amended 6-5-2023) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Signs (B-3/B-3A/M-1) | 15–22 ft (based on GFA per table) | Per B-2/B-2A Shopping Center Table (120–200 sq ft per sign based on GFA) | — | — | Total number 1–5 per table, by GFA | On major roads fronting shopping center | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)3.b (shopping centers adhere to B-2/B-2A) |
| Temporary Sign/Banner (B-3/B-3A/M-1) | 6 ft for freestanding/banners (except sandwich boards) | 36 sq ft | — | Consistent with permanent freestanding signs | Commercial temporary signs: one at any given time | On-site; freestanding or building-attached | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)4.a-b (as amended 6-5-2023); references § 165-106(B)(2)(b)[4] for other temporary standards |
| Marquee Sign (applies via B-2/B-2A standards) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Half of required front yard setback | — | On building; setback applies | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)5 (marquee follows § 165-106(B)(2)) |
| Gasoline Pricing Sign (applies via B-2/B-2A standards) | — | — | — | No encroachment over public right-of-way | One per station | At retail service station | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)7 (gasoline pricing signs adhere to § 165-106(B)(2)) |
| Directory Sign - Industrial Park or Multitenant Office | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | One per industrial park or multitenant office | Main entrance to industrial park/multitenant office | — | § 165-106(B)(3)(b)8 (as amended 6-5-2023) |

## Prohibited signs in Bel Air

- Off-premise billboards and other permanent signs advertising products or services not connected with the site are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate official traffic signs or signals or that contain words such as "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar are prohibited.
- Signs that could be confused with traffic control devices, that hide traffic or street signs from view, or that obstruct views at intersections are prohibited.
- Permanent signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited beyond 60 days from vacancy.
- Signs that distract motorists or create disruptive movement or excessive glare, including pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings of light bulbs, rotating signs, flashing lights, searchlights, windsail signs, LED light signs and electronic reader boards (except gasoline pricing signs), and commercial signs held by pedestrians, are prohibited.
- Signs placed on municipal, county, or state property or rights-of-way are prohibited except as specifically allowed under exemptions (e.g., Town banner policy).
- Signs pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences, or other signs are prohibited except as permitted under the Town banner permit policy.
- Temporary or portable signs are prohibited unless specifically allowed under the code.
- Signs that produce odor, sound, smoke, fire, or other emissions are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs used primarily for advertising unrelated to the lawful use of the vehicle for deliveries or service associated with the property where parked are prohibited.
- Signs with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color, and beacon lights or searchlights used as signs or for advertising, are prohibited.
- Exposed reflective-type bulbs, strobe lights, or incandescent lamps exceeding 15 watts on the exterior surface of any sign that expose the face of the bulb to a public street or adjacent property are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bel Air

- Public noncommercial signs (directional, regulatory, warning, informational) are exempt and do not require a permit; generally limited to 5 square feet per sign unless a waiver is approved; horizontal directional signs flush with paved areas are exempt from the size limit; traffic-related signs must meet MUTCD specifications.
- Integral signs (names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets) made as an integral part of the structure in permanent materials are exempt and do not require a permit.
- Homeowner identification signs (resident name and address) up to 1 square foot, allowed on mailboxes or mounted on the building, are exempt and do not require a permit.
- Temporary window signs or interior displays; total window sign area limited to 20% of window glass area; exempt and no permit required.
- Murals (artistic representations, sculptures, paintings) are exempt; any commercial image/message/advertisement within a mural counts toward sign square footage.
- Signs directly related to a Town-approved construction activity on business-zoned property are exempt provided the sign material is maintained in good condition and free of vandalism.
- Permit exceptions applicable in all districts: replacing copy on marquees and similarly approved signs designed for replaceable copy; normal maintenance (painting, repainting, cleaning, repair) without structural or electrical changes does not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- B-3 General Business District: A comprehensive coordinated sign plan must be submitted at the time of site plan review; may include freestanding, directory, projecting, wall, roof, canopy, and/or window signs; all signs, including banners, require a permit (see §165-32.B(4)).
- B-3A General Business Gateway District: A comprehensive coordinated sign plan must be submitted at the time of site plan review; may include freestanding, directory, projecting, wall, roof, canopy, and/or window signs; signs must conform to Article XV (see §165-33.B(3)).
- B-2 Central Business District and B-2A Central Business Gateway District: A master signage plan is required for multitenant businesses; plan must include a plot of the lot, building/parking/driveway/landscape locations, height and location of proposed freestanding signs, and the location, color scheme, size, material of each present and future sign, with computations of maximum total sign area and maximum area for each individual sign (see §165-106.B(2)).
- B-3 General Business, B-3A General Business Gateway, and M-1 Industrial Districts: Multitenant buildings must submit a comprehensive sign package for all tenant locations (size, general style, location of proposed building signage) prior to issuance of any sign permits to ensure compatibility and adequate signage allotment per tenant (see §165-106.B(3)(a)).
- Variances from sign regulations: The Board of Appeals may grant variances pursuant to §165-92; minor variances may be permitted by the Zoning Administrator under Article XII (see §165-114.B).
- Appeals: Denials of sign permits or orders to remove/relocate/alter signs by the Zoning Administrator may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 30 days (see §165-114.C(1)).

## 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 11 zoning districts in Bel Air — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bel+Air+MD&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bel-air

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