# Sign Regulations in Ocean City, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ocean City, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/ocean-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MD/Ocean_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH66SI)

## At a glance

Ocean City, Maryland regulates 17 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 16 sq ft (Sec. Sec. 110-880(e)(2)). Most commercial signs in Ocean City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1), R-2A Low Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-2A), R-2 Medium Residential District (R-2), R-3A Moderate Residential District (R-3A), R-3 General Residential District (R-3), MH Mobile Home Residential District (MH), BM-1 Bayside Marine District (BM-1), DM Downtown Marine District (DM), LC-1 Local Commercial District (LC-1), SC-1 Shopping Center District (SC-1), BMUD Bayside Mixed Use District (BMUD), B-1 Boardwalk Commercial District (B-1), BC-2 Boardwalk Commercial District (BC-2), DMX Downtown Mixed Use District (DMX), M Manufacturing District (M), BR Beach Reserve District (BR), BT-R Beach Transfer Receiving Overlay District (BT-R), BT-S Beach Transfer Sending Overlay District (BT-S), PF Pier Franchise District (PF), RC-1 Resource Conservation District (RC-1), P/G-1 Public/Governmental District (P/G-1), Planned Overlay District, Amusement Overlay District, Commercial Marine Overlay District, DR Downtown Residential District (DR), I-1 Inlet District (I-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 36 inches | 100 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Design Overlay Zone District, Upper Downtown Design Overlay Zone District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1), R-2A Low Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-2A), R-2 Medium Residential District (R-2), R-3A Moderate Residential District (R-3A), R-3 General Residential District (R-3), MH Mobile Home Residential District (MH), BM-1 Bayside Marine District (BM-1), DM Downtown Marine District (DM), LC-1 Local Commercial District (LC-1), SC-1 Shopping Center District (SC-1), BMUD Bayside Mixed Use District (BMUD), B-1 Boardwalk Commercial District (B-1), BC-2 Boardwalk Commercial District (BC-2), DMX Downtown Mixed Use District (DMX), M Manufacturing District (M), BR Beach Reserve District (BR), BT-R Beach Transfer Receiving Overlay District (BT-R), BT-S Beach Transfer Sending Overlay District (BT-S), PF Pier Franchise District (PF), RC-1 Resource Conservation District (RC-1), P/G-1 Public/Governmental District (P/G-1), Planned Overlay District, Amusement Overlay District, Commercial Marine Overlay District, DR Downtown Residential District (DR), I-1 Inlet District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones (Section 110-880) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | R-1: Sec. 110-278, R-2A: Sec. 110-308, R-2: Sec. 110-338, R-3A: Sec. 110-368, R-3: Sec. 110-398, MH: Sec. 110-428, BM-1: Sec. 110-458, DM: Sec. 110-488, LC-1: Sec. 110-518, SC-1: Sec. 110-548, BMUD: Sec. 110-578, B-1: Sec. 110-608, BC-2: Sec. 110-638, DMX: Sec. 110-668, M: Sec. 110-698, BR: Sec. 110-724, BT-R/BT-S: See overlay notes, PF: overlay/superseded, RC-1: Not specific, P/G-1: Sec. 110-806, Planned/Amusement/Commercial Marine Overlay: see overlay notes, DR: Sec. 110-848, I-1: Sec. 110-861.7 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Personal Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling | Attached to dwelling | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 12 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street | On premises offered for sale/lease | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(2) |
| Incidental Sign | 36 inches | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On property | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft or height of building, whichever is less | 14 sq ft | — | — | One per business per street | Minimum 8 ft above grade; projects from wall | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(2)e(ii) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per major street frontage (some special cases for additional signs on bay frontage for certain zones) | Facing major street | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(2)e(iii) |
| Awning Sign | Valance max 1 ft | 25% of awning area | — | — | One per business | On awning valance | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(2)e(iv) |
| A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per business | On private property, except if city approved in ROW; double sided allowed | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(1)i |
| Subdivision/Project/Multifamily Dev. Identification Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per street frontage | On site of development | — | Sec. 110-880(e)(2)d |

### Downtown Design Overlay Zone District, Upper Downtown Design Overlay Zone District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General - See underlying district | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 110-831.27; Sec. 110-865.25 |

## Prohibited signs in Ocean City

- Signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character.
- Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal or which contain words such as 'stop,' 'go slow,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning' or similar words.
- Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or which obstruct the view in any direction at a street intersection.
- Signs which are placed or erected within or project into or over any public right-of-way or easement, unless otherwise approved by the Mayor and City Council (and/or Ocean City Development Corporation where applicable).
- Signs that are attached to utility poles, trees, fences, benches or other signs.
- Off-premises signs of a commercial nature (billboards).
- Portable signs and banners unless otherwise permitted.
- Vehicle signs, as defined and regulated by chapter 66.
- Balloons, kites or other unattended flying device, which are signs meant to advertise or identify a specific business, product, or event.
- Signs which contain or consist of flashing, blinking, revolving, or rotating lights (including electronic or computerized signs), unless the sign is giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information, or as specifically allowed on the boardwalk in certain zones.
- Roof signs.
- Signs shall not cover significant architectural detail.
- Signs in the public right-of-way that block water vistas are not permitted unless approved by agreement by the Mayor and City Council (with input from the OCDC where applicable).
- Front walls without window or door openings are prohibited, unless the first floor is parking (applies in overlay districts).
- False windows and doors on first floor facades are discouraged or prohibited.
- Aluminum siding, light gauge vinyl siding (under 0.040 inch), texture 111 siding, diagonal siding, and split face block are prohibited as building materials for signs in overlay districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ocean City

- Governmental or other public signs are exempt from regulations or restrictions on location and placement.
- Amusement places and recreational areas: Signs within these areas, which do not identify or advertise the area as an entity, are exempt from the sign regulations.
- Vending machine signs not exceeding the limits of the machine on which they are located are exempt.
- Temporary real estate signs ('for sale'), subject to size, number, and time restrictions.
- Temporary political campaign signs placed prior to an election and removed within specific timeframes after the election.
- Incidental signs (directing or informing, not advertising the business), subject to size and aggregate area limits.
- Signs located under canopies, awnings, or within porch areas and visible primarily to viewers within these areas, subject to size and aggregate limits.
- A-frame signs per business, within given size and time out restrictions, if not in public right-of-way without permit.
- Banners for city permitted special events, permitted two days before the event and removed within two days after.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All zoning districts regulated under Article IV reference that 'Signs shall be permitted and maintained in accordance with the provisions contained in section 110-880.' Section 110-880 (not included here) is the primary section governing sign procedures and standards.
- All overlay districts (Downtown Design Overlay Zone, Upper Downtown Design Overlay Zone) require conformance to additional design guidelines for signs (not just base zoning chapter); plans for development and redevelopment, including signs, are to be reviewed by the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) for conformance.
- Shopping centers must provide a uniform signage plan for approval.
- No sign may be placed or erected without first having obtained the appropriate permit or approvals, unless a permit is not required by regulation.
- Site plans are required for all uses (including signage) in all principal base zoning districts, per cross-reference to article II, division 8.
- For Overlay and Planned Overlay Districts, a site plan is required and is subject to planning commission and mayor and council review, which may include requirements or limitations on signs as part of the project approval process.
- Sign area calculations and number/type of signs allowed may differ in special/overlay districts or by planning commission conditions; master signage plans or coordinated signage may be required for larger developments (e.g., shopping centers, mixed-use).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Ocean City, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ocean+City+MD&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ocean-city

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