# Sign Regulations in Gaithersburg, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gaithersburg, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/gaithersburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-25
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/13721/638760027722300000#page=129)

## At a glance

Gaithersburg, Maryland regulates 24 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Temporary Signs in the Standard Residential Zones, R-A: Low Density Residential, R-90: Medium Density Residential, R-6: Medium Density Residential, RP-T: Medium Density Residential, R-20: Medium Density Residential, R-18: Medium Density Planned Residential, R-H: High Density Residential zoning district are capped at 8 feet (6 ft RB Zone/single-family) tall and 12 square feet (6 sq ft RB Zone/single-family), with a 2 feet from other freestanding, incidental, and monument signs setback (Sec. 24-8.18-1 Table).

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Residential Zones, R-A: Low Density Residential, R-90: Medium Density Residential, R-6: Medium Density Residential, RP-T: Medium Density Residential, R-20: Medium Density Residential, R-18: Medium Density Planned Residential, R-H: High Density Residential | 19 | 50% of wall height | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | — |
| Standard Non-Residential Zones, CB: Commercial Buffer, C-1: Local Commercial, C-2: General Commercial, I-1: Light Industrial, I-3: Industrial Office Park, E-1: Urban Employment, E-2: Urban Employment | 20 | 50% of wall height | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | — |
| Floating Zones, CBD: Central Business District, CD: Corridor Development, MCD: Mixed-Commercial Development, MXD: Mixed-Use Development | 20 | 50% of wall height | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | — |
| Residential Buffer (RB) Zone | 14 | 50% of wall height | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | — |
| Central Business (CB) Zone | 14 | 50% of wall height | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | — |
| CD Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| CBD Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| MCD Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| MXD Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 50% of wall height | Max 25% of total window surface | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Standard Residential Zones, R-A: Low Density Residential, R-90: Medium Density Residential, R-6: Medium Density Residential, RP-T: Medium Density Residential, R-20: Medium Density Residential, R-18: Medium Density Planned Residential, R-H: High Density Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof | Within 20 feet of public entrance of the associated entity | — | 24-8.9(B) Table |
| Banner (Building-Mounted) Sign | — | 48 square feet (3 sq ft max for single-family; 6 sq ft for RB Zone) | — | — | 1 per building façade; max 1 for single-family | Building façade that has a public entrance or that faces a public street | — | 24-8.10-1 Table |
| Banner (Freestanding) Sign | 6 feet (4 feet single-family/RB Zone) | 12 square feet (8 sq ft single-family/RB Zone) | — | — | 1 per acre or portion thereof | — | — | 24-8.11-1 Table |
| Blade Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet (24 sq ft for multifamily) | — | — | 1 per building façade | Building façade allowed to have signage | — | 24-8.12-1 Table |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 8 feet (6 ft RB Zone/single-family) | 12 square feet (6 sq ft RB Zone/single-family) | — | 2 feet from other freestanding, incidental, and monument signs | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof (max 3 single-family/RB Zone for nonresidential use) | — | — | 24-8.18-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Monument Sign) | 10 ft (roads) or 15 ft (major highway) | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | 15 ft (roads) or 20 ft (major highway) | — | 1 per 10 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision edge/entrance | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Wall Sign) | 50% of wall height | 50 sq ft (roads) or 100 sq ft (major highway) | Lesser of 30 ft or 15% of wall length | — | 1 per 5 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision wall (edge/entrance) | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft (roads); Greater of 10 ft, 1 ft per 1 acre of lot area up to 20 ft, or 1 ft per 10,000 sq ft GFA up to 20ft for major highways | — | 15 ft (roads); 20 ft (major highway multifamily) | — | 1 per 8/10/5 acres or portion thereof as permitted | Along public or private right-of-way adjoining the property | — | 24-8.23-1 Table |

### Standard Non-Residential Zones, CB: Commercial Buffer, C-1: Local Commercial, C-2: General Commercial, I-1: Light Industrial, I-3: Industrial Office Park, E-1: Urban Employment, E-2: Urban Employment

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof | Within 20 feet of public entrance of the associated entity | — | 24-8.9-1 Table |
| Banner (Building-Mounted) Sign | — | 48 square feet | — | — | Greater of 1 per tenant or 1 per building | Per nonresidential tenant or per building with public entrance or facing street | — | 24-8.10-1 Table |
| Blade Sign | 8 feet (CB Zone max 6 ft) | 24 square feet (CB Zone max 12 sq ft) | — | — | Greater of 1 per 500 sq ft façade or 1 per tenant | Building façade allowed to have signage | — | 24-8.12-1 Table |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | 2 feet from other freestanding, incidental and monument signs | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof | — | — | 24-8.18-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Monument Sign) | 10 ft (roads) or 15 ft (major highway) | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | 15 ft (roads) or 20 ft (major highway) | — | 1 per 10 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision edge/entrance | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Wall Sign) | 50% of wall height | 50 sq ft (roads) or 100 sq ft (major highway) | Lesser of 30 ft or 15% of wall length | — | 1 per 5 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision wall (edge/entrance) | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft (roads); Greater of 10 ft, 1 ft per 1 acre of lot area up to 20 ft, or 1 ft per 10,000 sq ft GFA up to 20ft (major highway) | — | 20 ft (major highway), 15 ft (roads) (CB Zone: 15 ft major highway) | — | 1 per 5 acres or portion thereof (CB Zone: 1 per 8 acres or portion thereof) | Along public/private right-of-way adjoining property | — | 24-8.23-1 Table |
| Off-Premises Sign | 8 feet | Lesser of 1 sq ft per 200 sq ft of lot area or 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 5 acres | Not within 500 ft of another off-premises sign | — | 24-8.24-1 Table |

### Floating Zones, CBD: Central Business District, CD: Corridor Development, MCD: Mixed-Commercial Development, MXD: Mixed-Use Development

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof | Within 20 feet of public entrance of the associated entity | — | 24-8.9-1 Table |
| Banner (Building-Mounted) Sign | — | 48 square feet | — | — | Greater of 1 per tenant or 1 per building | Greater of 1 per nonresidential tenant or 1 per building with a public entrance or facing street | — | 24-8.10-1 Table |
| Blade Sign | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | Greater of 1 per 500 sq ft façade or 1 per tenant | Building façade allowed to have signage | — | 24-8.12-1 Table |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | 2 feet from other freestanding, incidental and monument signs | 1 per 2 acres or portion thereof | — | — | 24-8.18-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Monument Sign) | 10 ft (roads) or 15 ft (major highway) | 100 sq ft (roads) or 200 sq ft (major highway) | 15 ft (roads) or 20 ft (major highway) | — | 1 per 10 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision edge/entrance | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Geographic Area Sign (Wall Sign) | 50% of wall height | 50 sq ft (roads) or 100 sq ft (major highway) | Lesser of 30 ft or 15% of wall length | — | 1 per 5 acres or portion thereof | Subdivision wall (edge/entrance) | — | 24-8.19-1 Table |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft (roads); Greater of 10 ft, 1 ft per 1 acre of lot area up to 20 ft, or 1 ft per 10,000 sq ft GFA up to 20ft (major highway) | — | 20 ft (major highway), 15 ft (roads) | — | 1 per 5 acres or portion thereof | Along public/private right-of-way adjoining property | — | 24-8.23-1 Table |
| Off-Premises Sign | 8 feet | Lesser of 1 sq ft per 200 sq ft of lot area or 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 5 acres | Not within 500 ft of another off-premises sign | — | 24-8.24-1 Table |

## Prohibited signs in Gaithersburg

- Posting, displaying, structurally altering, installing, or erecting any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, unless expressly exempted.
- Abandoned signs, as identified pursuant to Section 24-8.8(K).
- Signs installed by nailing, fastening, adhering, or affixing the sign in any manner to any tree, rock, post, curb, utility pole, community mailbox, natural feature, official street sign or marker, traffic control sign or device, or similar object.
- Balloon signs.
- Billboard signs.
- Signs on fences, except where explicitly allowed or exempted.
- Flashing signs, except approved electronic message displays.
- Permanent freestanding signs, other than incidental and directional signs, except where explicitly allowed or exempted.
- Inflatable signs, when used as a commercial sign.
- Moving signs and devices, including pennants, flashing or twinkling lights, streamers, air-propelled devices and pinwheels (except for allowed banners).
- Obscene signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character.
- Off-premises signs, except as provided in Section 24-8.24.
- Paper signs that cover the front of a building.
- Portable, moveable, and relocatable signs, except for specific types (A-frame, temporary banners, etc.) or exempted signs.
- Roof signs.
- Any sign or object that may be confused with an official traffic sign, signal, or device; with a public safety device; may mislead/confuse pedestrians or vehicle operators; may obscure view of traffic signs/signals; may obstruct view at intersections/driveways; may impair pedestrian/vehicle vision due to light intensity/direction.
- Vehicular signs, unless on a continuously moving vehicle or parked in private lot/space/driveway/garage or private property.
- Unauthorized signs not specifically allowed by this Article.
- Temporary signs (other than projected image) illuminated in any way.
- Any sign placed in a location that impedes sight distance for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, or creates a public safety hazard.
- Any sign that overlaps, blocks, or interferes with the ability to see any other sign.
- Any sign that interferes with the operation of any door, fire escape, stairway, or any opening intended to provide ingress/egress to a building or structure.
- Any sign installed on private property without the property owner's permission.
- Any sign placed in city, county, state, or federal right-of-way, except as specifically allowed.
- Any sign placed in proposed right-of-way areas, unless pursuant to a revocable sign permit.
- Temporary signs in right-of-way that are illuminated; attached to utility poles, cabinets, fire hydrants, trees, traffic devices; exceed 3 feet in height/width; have face exceeding 3 square feet; placed less than 6 feet from other signs; placed less than six inches from curb/sidewalk/street; are not freestanding; are banner signs; or not placed during allowed periods.
- Signs not maintained in good appearance, repair, and condition.
- Signs more than 10 feet in height if not attached to a building, unless waiver granted.
- Signs deemed abandoned (30 days after expiration/revocation of permit or 30 days unmaintained).

## Signs exempt from permit in Gaithersburg

- Signs accessory to non-residential use meeting specific criteria (signs six square feet or smaller associated with outdoor displays, vending machines, tables/chairs/umbrellas in approved seating areas, recycling/trash containers, fuel pumps, EV charging stations, drive-thru area signs).
- Signs carved into/made of stone, concrete, bronze, aluminum, other permanent material, where the material is an integral load-bearing part of the structure.
- Interior signs located more than one foot from the interior side of a facade window.
- Murals, works of visual art, and landscaping with letters/words that have been approved for display by mayor, council, or city commission/board/committee.
- Public interest signs sponsored by government entities, agents, franchisees, or instrumentalities, including notification signs required by City Code.
- Seasonal event signs: temporary signs 20 square feet or smaller, 8 feet or shorter, no foundation, displayed within 20 days of a seasonal event or holiday, and may be illuminated.
- Signs on single-family residential properties: signs 12 square feet or smaller placed in rear/side yard not visible from street, temporary signs 6 square feet or smaller placed in front yard, incidental signs 6 square feet or smaller placed in front yard.
- Vehicle signs: signs on a continuously moving vehicle accessory and incidental to vehicle use, signs on vehicles parked on private lot/space/driveway/alley/garage, signs stored or placed on porch/yard/other private property.
- Signs smaller than one square foot attached to vehicles, buildings, decks, stairs, receptacles, fences, utility boxes, or clothing.
- Signs placed on gravestones, tombs, and internments.
- Signs one square foot or smaller in area that are not illuminated (exempt from permits).
- Freestanding signs six square feet or smaller in area that are not illuminated and without foundation/footing (exempt from permits).
- Window signs (exempt from permits).
- Projected image signs (exempt from permits).
- Building signs two square feet or smaller in area that are not illuminated (exempt from permits).
- Temporary signs held/worn by a person on a nonresidential property (exempt from permits).
- Incidental signs not otherwise exempted (exempt from permits).
- Temporary signs larger than twelve square feet or taller than six feet, located on multifamily properties, displayed within 20 days of a seasonal event or holiday (exempt from regulation, still require permit).
- Temporary signs larger than twenty square feet or taller than eight feet, located on nonresidential property, displayed within 20 days of a seasonal event or holiday (exempt from regulation, still require permit).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Comprehensive sign packages approved by the planning commission or mayor and city council prior to the effective date remain valid and control where in conflict with this Article.
- Following the effective date, the planning commission or mayor and city council may approve comprehensive sign packages and design guidelines for a property or development that include provisions that deviate from the standards.
- Where a sign is subject to an approved final site plan, comprehensive sign package, or design guidelines, the sign must conform to that approval.
- Design guidelines adopted for CD, CBD, MCD, and MXD zones and approved by the planning commission or council are incorporated, remain valid, and are binding.
- The planning commission may approve a final site plan, sign package, or design guidelines to allow temporary banners to remain longer than standard display period.
- Banner (freestanding) signs may be allowed to remain for longer periods if the planning commission approves a final site plan, sign package, or design guidelines.
- Freestanding temporary signs may be allowed to remain for a period longer than 90 days if the planning commission approves a final site plan, sign package, or design guidelines.
- Requests for minor/major waivers must comply with notification requirements; waivers may be granted by planning commission allowing deviation from regulatory standards.
- Waivers may be requested and granted for additional signs, increased size, increased height, illumination, projection, and other deviations from standard regulations as part of a sign plan review.

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

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