Sign Regulations in Manchester Town, Maryland
Manchester Town, Maryland has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Political Campaign Sign (Private Property), Signs for Home Occupations or Professional Use, Farm Product Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Manchester Town, Maryland
Sample Sign Requirements in Manchester Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signs for Home Occupations or Professional Use | — | 216 sq in (12" x 18") | — |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Manchester TownFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
20
- Political Campaign Sign (Private Property)
- Signs for Home Occupations or Professional Use
- Farm Product Sign
- Directional or Informational Sign (Public/Quasi-Public)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Manchester Town
Municipal Code1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Manchester Town vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Manchester Town, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Manchester Town, regulated sign types include Political Campaign Sign (Private Property), Signs for Home Occupations or Professional Use, Farm Product Sign, Directional or Informational Sign (Public/Quasi-Public), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Manchester Town vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Manchester Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Manchester Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Manchester Town, Maryland Sign Rules at a Glance
Manchester Town, Maryland regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Business Sign - General (Banner, Portable, Inflatable, Sandwich Board, Pennant)s in the Commercial Districts, Local Business Districts, General Business District (B-G) zoning district are capped at Freestanding signs: 12 ft. Sandwich boards: 5 ft. tall and 32 sq ft (overall temporary business sign area). For sandwich boards: 12 sq ft per face., with a Not over lot lines or within 15 ft of vehicular access to public highway. setback (Sec. § 250-83.1A). Most commercial signs in Manchester Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Manchester Town, Maryland
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Manchester Town (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | — | 216 sq in (12" x 18") | — |
| Commercial Districts, Local Business Districts, General Business District (B-G) | 6 | If freestanding: 30 ft; If wall/projecting: no more than 4 ft above parapet wall or roofline. | 150 sq ft (per sign, per side); Total area for all signs: 4 × length of front building wall (ft). | — |
| General Business District (B-G) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Manchester Town
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Campaign Sign (Private Property) | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted on private property with owner approval; must not interfere with traffic visibility or encroach on public way. | — | Unlock | § C5-20 [A-B] |
| Signs for Home Occupations or Professional Use | — | 216 sq in (12" x 18") | — | — | — | At premises of home occupation/professional use. | — | Unlock | § 250-81A |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On a farm, off the highway right-of-way; must not interfere with traffic visibility. | — | Unlock | § 250-81B |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/lease. | — | Unlock | § 250-81D |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On and advertising a new subdivision. | — | Unlock | § 250-81E |
| Temporary Contractor/Professional Sign (Construction Site) | — | 150 sq ft (total for all such signs) | — | — | — | On buildings under construction. | — | Unlock | § 250-81F |
| Directional Sign (Traffic/Construction Management) | — | — | — | — | — | Site-specific traffic management or construction activity warning. | — | Unlock | § 250-81G |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft (if "Open" sign); no specific area for other types, but incidental by description. | — | — | 1 per frontage to a public road | On site; may be on windows. Must not contain advertising. | — | Unlock | § 250-81J |
Commercial Districts, Local Business Districts, General Business District (B-G)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Sign (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting) | If freestanding: 30 ft; If wall/projecting: no more than 4 ft above parapet wall or roofline. | 150 sq ft (per sign, per side); Total area for all signs: 4 × length of front building wall (ft). | — | If freestanding: Not closer than district front yard requirement if building is within 100 ft of lot line. All signs attached to ground must maintain safe traffic visibility. | — | On the building (wall, projecting) or on the ground (freestanding). No part may project over/in any street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 250-83 A-F, G-H |
| Electronic Variable-Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises; for schools: on athletic fields (scoreboards) or general information. | — | Unlock | § 250-83I |
| Temporary Business Sign - General (Banner, Portable, Inflatable, Sandwich Board, Pennant) | Freestanding signs: 12 ft. Sandwich boards: 5 ft. | 32 sq ft (overall temporary business sign area). For sandwich boards: 12 sq ft per face. | — | Not over lot lines or within 15 ft of vehicular access to public highway. | 1 per property (or 1 per commercial tenant in planned business centers) | Only on the zoning lot where the activity/service/product occurs. May be in required yard, but not over lot lines or within 15 ft of vehicular access point. | — | Unlock | § 250-83.1A |
| Temporary Business Sign - Seasonal or Time-Specific | Same as General Temporary signs (up to 12 ft for freestanding, 5 ft for sandwich boards) | 32 sq ft (per sign) | — | Not over lot lines or within 15 ft of vehicular access to public highway. | Max 2 at same time | Only on the zoning lot where event occurs. May be in any required yard, not over lot lines or within 15 ft of access to public road. | — | Unlock | § 250-83.1B |
| Temporary Business Sign - Sandwich Board Type | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On zoning lot where activity/service/product occurs. | — | Unlock | § 250-83.1C(2) |
| Temporary Business Sign - Freestanding | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On zoning lot; see additional requirements. | — | Unlock | § 250-83.1C(4) |
General Business District (B-G)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | — | — | — | Minimum front-yard setback of 10 ft from road rights-of-way. Not closer than 300 ft to intersection on dual/proposed dual highways or 100 ft of other intersections; minimum spacing between signs 300 ft (see both sides for dual highways). | — | Permitted as a principal use in the B-G district; may be located adjacent to a building at certain intersections if it does not increase obstruction. | — | Unlock | § 250-84A |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Manchester Town are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Manchester Town
- Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto are not permitted on properties owned by the Town of Manchester.
- No sign shall be permitted which is an imitation of or which resembles an official traffic control device, railroad sign or signal, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic control device or any railroad sign, signal or traffic sight lines.
- No sign which uses the word 'stop' or 'danger' or presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger shall be permanently displayed.
- No sign shall be located on the right-of-way of any road or on any slope or drainage easement for such road.
- No sign shall be permitted which contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character or such as will offend public morals or decency.
- No sign shall be placed on rocks, trees or on poles maintained by public utilities.
- No sign shall be permitted which becomes unsafe or endangers the safety of a building, premises or person.
- It is unlawful to purposely tear down or in any manner deface any sign, signs or posters which have been posted by authority of the Mayor and Council of Manchester.
- It is unlawful for any person to molest, destroy, damage, mutilate or carry away any stake, post, stone or pin placed in any street or sidewalk for the purpose of indicating the grade thereof, or any lantern, street designation, road marker or any part of any public lamp.
- It is unlawful to permit or cause any sign or board to project over any sidewalk, or any flag, banner or other manner of display to be stretched across any of the streets of the Town, without first securing a permit from the Mayor and Council.
- Billboards and other off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Banners, pennants, streamers, balloons and other inflatable figures or devices, except as specified in temporary signage, are prohibited.
- Signs with visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, except for clocks and other time-keeping devices, are prohibited.
- Signs that are animated with lights or illuminations which flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker or vary in color are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on top of vehicles, in the beds of open trucks, on or in open trailers or similar locations, except as exempted, are prohibited.
- Signs on trees, rocks or utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene or indecent content are prohibited.
- Signs which imitate traffic control devices or imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of or might be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal or device are prohibited.
- Window signage and/or any banners, flags, vendor advertisements, sales advertisements, flyers, window well display area and/or a poster board display etc., that obscure more than 50% of the visible window area are prohibited.
- Private signs on municipal or other property unless expressly authorized by the Town of Manchester are prohibited.
- Signage text that advertises or identifies a business, product or service which is no longer in business at that location is prohibited unless new text is placed on the sign structure within 90 days of a change of use or occupancy.
- Commercial signage in a residential district except as authorized by this chapter is prohibited.
- Painting, writing or drawing on storefront windows or building walls is prohibited as a form of temporary signage, except to advertise a community, holiday, or seasonal event.
- Display of any temporary sign without a zoning certificate is a municipal infraction unless otherwise authorized.
Exempt Signs in Manchester Town
- Signs indicating the name and/or premises or accessory use of a home for a home occupation or professional purposes, not exceeding 12 inches by 18 inches in area, are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- Signs not exceeding 30 square feet on a farm, advertising farm products primarily grown on the premises and meeting specific location and visibility requirements, are exempt from needing a zoning certificate.
- Directional or informational signs of a public or quasi-public nature, such as those containing the meeting date of a community or civic club or advertising an event of public interest, are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- Temporary real estate signs not exceeding 20 square feet and located on and advertising property for sale or lease are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- Temporary signs not exceeding 100 square feet, located on and advertising a new subdivision are exempt from a zoning certificate.
- Building contractors' and professional persons' temporary signs on buildings under construction, limited to a total area for all such signs of 150 square feet, are exempt from a zoning certificate.
- Directional signs intended to move traffic, direct the flow, or manage a specific activity on the site, or warn of construction activity (not including advertising), are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- Political signs and signs on the inside of store windows are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- Temporary, unlit signs no greater than 32 square feet advertising a community event or activity (as defined) are exempt from needing a zoning certificate.
- Incidental signs (permanent signs providing information rather than advertising, such as employee parking or hours of operation, and ‘Open’ signs under 2 square feet, with limitations), are permitted without a zoning certificate.
- The flag of the United States, Maryland, Carroll County Government or Town of Manchester is exempt from sign regulation (provided flag display complies with relevant statutes).
- Official notices posted by the Town of Manchester or Carroll County are exempt from sign regulations.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Manchester Town
- Unless otherwise specified, all signs require a zoning certificate issued by the Town of Manchester.
- Signs within the Main Street area (except for temporary signs) may be referred by the Zoning Administrator to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and approval.
- Signs painted on walls are to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.
- Electronic variable-message signs (including their design, hours, dimensions, height, and conditions of operation) must be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- General and specific temporary business signs must be approved by the Zoning Administrator and require a zoning certificate.
- Display of any temporary sign without a zoning certificate (unless exempted) is a municipal infraction.
Source: ecode360 municipal code