# Sign Regulations in Rockville, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rockville, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/rockville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MD/Rockville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH19.5SI)

## At a glance

Rockville, Maryland regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Industrial (I-L and I-H) Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 30 ft from residential zone setback (Sec. Sec. 25.18.13.b). Most commercial signs in Rockville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 3 sq ft | — |
| Residential zones | 11 | 12 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (I-L and I-H) Zones | 10 | 12 ft (freestanding) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-Use Transit District (MXTD), Mixed-Use Corridor District (MXCD), Mixed-Use Corridor Transition (MXCT), Mixed-Use Neighborhood Commercial (MXNC), Mixed-Use Employment (MXE), Mixed-Use Business District (MXB) | 13 | 20 ft | 250 sq ft (aggregate, per lot) | — |
| Mixed-Use Corridor (MXC), Mixed-Use Transition (MXT) | 6 | 8 ft (if freestanding) | Aggregate on lot: 32 sq ft; Single sign: 12 sq ft (if attached to building abutting highway: up to 100 sq ft) | — |
| Planned Development zones (PD-TS, PD-CB and others as per Article 14) | 3 | 25 ft (main), 10 ft (light post signs) | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entrance Sign (Residential Development ≥10 units) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development entrance | At/near entrance within development; if units are separately owned, in easement/tract owned and maintained by HOA/civic association. | — | Sec. 25.18.11.1 |
| Directional Sign (Residential Development) | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 25.18.11.2 |
| Real Estate Sign (Individual Lot/Dwelling) | 5 ft (freestanding), 42 inches if within 10 ft of property line | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 25.18.11.3(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Recorded Subdivision ≥10 lots) | 12 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Within the subdivision | — | Sec. 25.18.11.3(b) |
| Real Estate Sign (New/Renovated Multi-Unit Dwellings, ≤10 units) | 12 ft (freestanding) | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property | — | Sec. 25.18.11.3(c)(i) |
| Real Estate Sign (New/Renovated Multi-Unit Dwellings, >10 units) | 12 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft (freestanding); 12 ft max height | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property | — | Sec. 25.18.11.3(c)(ii) |
| Permanent Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft (if freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 25.18.12.a.1 |
| Permanent Sign (Nonresidential Special Exception) - Option 1 | 5 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building wall or freestanding | — | Sec. 25.18.12.b.2(a) |

### Industrial (I-L and I-H) Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior building wall(s) | — | Sec. 25.18.13.a |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 30 ft from residential zone | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | Sec. 25.18.13.b |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 25.18.13.c |
| Gasoline Price Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall sign | — | Sec. 25.18.13.d |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft (freestanding), 72 sq ft (building sign, min 70 ft above grade) | — | 30 ft from residential zone (location) | 1 per lot | 1 per lot (freestanding) or building if mounted high enough | — | Sec. 25.18.13.f.1 |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 during construction | 1 per lot during construction | — | Sec. 25.18.13.f.2 |
| Occupancy Banner/Display | — | 32 sq ft (48 sq ft if building has >50 linear ft frontage) | — | — | — | May be erected upon occupancy for 60 days | — | Sec. 25.18.13.f.3 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At/near subdivision entrance, within subdivision bounds | — | Sec. 25.18.13.g |

### Mixed-Use Transit District (MXTD), Mixed-Use Corridor District (MXCD), Mixed-Use Corridor Transition (MXCT), Mixed-Use Neighborhood Commercial (MXNC), Mixed-Use Employment (MXE), Mixed-Use Business District (MXB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (MXB) | — | 250 sq ft (aggregate, per lot) | — | — | — | Building wall(s) | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (MXTD) | 6 ft | — | 3 ft 8 in | — | 1 per frontage on major street | 1 per lot for each frontage on major arterial or business district street | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.2.a |
| Freestanding Sign (MXCD, MXCT, MXB, MXNC) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 30 ft from residential zone | 1 per lot (more if >5 acres) | 1 per lot; if >5 acres, 1 per street frontage (min 100 ft apart) | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.2.b |
| Freestanding Sign (MXE) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 50 ft from lot line (main sign); 10 ft for supplemental sign | 1 main, 1 supplemental if abutting highway | 1 per lot, not less than 50 ft from any lot line | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.2.c |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft (freestanding); 72 sq ft (building, min 70 ft above grade) | — | 30 ft from residential zone (location) | 1 per lot | 1 per lot (freestanding) or building | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.6.a |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 200 sq ft per street-facing side | — | — | 1 per side during construction | 1 per street-facing side during construction | — | Sec. 25.18.14.b.6.b |
| Temporary Noncommercial Sign | 8 ft (freestanding) | Aggregate on lot: 32 sq ft; Single sign: 12 sq ft | — | 30 ft from residential zone (location) | — | Freestanding or, abutting highway: attached to building facing highway | — | Sec. 25.18.14.a.4(b); cross-ref 25.18.13.f.4 |
| Portable Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per business | Within 10 ft of front building entrance; must not impede pedestrian movement | — | Sec. 25.18.14.a.5, 25.18.14.b.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Rockville

- No sign may be erected, installed, substantially altered, or illuminated unless in compliance with all of the requirements of this article 18.
- Signs that impede the operation of any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening required to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building or structure.
- Signs which, by reason of position, size, shape, or color, may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device, or which make use of any word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Off-premises signs, except as set forth in sections 25.18.18 and 25.18.19.
- Any sign placed or erected on property without the permission of the property owner.
- Signs which move or have any moving part, or which give the illusion of motion.
- Signs which use blinking, flashing, or fluttering illumination or illumination which varies in color or intensity or which create the appearance or illusion of writing or printing, including, but not limited to, strobe, rotating beacon, chasing, or zip lights.
- Signs erected by any person on any public property or right-of-way except as provided for in this article 18.
- Signs erected in such a location as to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular circulation onto or off of the property on which it is located.
- Portable signs, except noncommercial signs displayed by hand or as may be allowed in subsections 25.18.14.a.5 and b.7.
- Signs displayed on billboard vehicles.
- Signs with changeable copy, except as provided for herein.
- Signs extending above the roof of any building in excess of one (1) percent of the building height, except as allowed by section 25.18.19.
- Flags, banners, pennants, spinners, ribbon, streamers, balloons, and similar devices visible from a public right-of-way, except as expressly permitted by this article.
- Signs projecting more than thirty-six (36) inches from a building wall.
- Temporary signs, except as provided for herein.
- Any sign with words, scenes, or graphics of an obscene, indecent, or prurient character which offend public morals or decency.
- Any sign not expressly allowed or permitted by this article 18.
- Vehicular signs when the vehicle is parked such that the sign is visible from a right-of-way within fifty (50) feet of the vehicle, except when there is no reasonable alternative location on the site to park the vehicle.
- No sign is allowed on public property or within the public right-of-way unless specifically authorized or required by this Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rockville

- Any sign or portion thereof required to be posted or displayed by this chapter or other applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation.
- Signs and other visual displays erected by, or at the direction of, federal, state, or local governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.
- Any sign not readable from any right-of-way or abutting property, except as set forth in subsection 25.18.04.b.13 above.
- Any unilluminated sign smaller than one (1) square foot in area.
- Up to two (2) noncommercial flags not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet per face in area on nonresidential parcels and not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet per face in area on residential parcels.
- Signs conforming to or required by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices as published by the Federal Highway Administration from time to time under 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655, Subpart F.
- Numerals not exceeding eighteen (18) inches in height identifying an address on a lot.
- Any sign required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation (for signs on public property or right-of-way).
- Signs and other visual displays erected by, or at the direction of, federal, state, or local governmental or quasi-governmental agencies (for signs on public property or right-of-way).
- Signs conforming to or required by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as published by the Federal Highway Administration from time to time under 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655, Subpart (for signs on public property or right-of-way).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For a lot occupied by more than one (1) business/tenant and where more than one (1) permanent building sign will be installed, a sign plan indicating the size, location, shape, materials, and mounting details of all permanent building signs must be approved by the Chief of Zoning prior to the issuance of the first sign permit for a lot where more than one (1) permanent building sign will be installed.
- A revised sign plan must be approved if a sign to be installed deviates from the size, location, shape, materials, or mounting details of an approved sign plan.
- Applications for a sign plan or sign permit must be submitted to the Chief of Zoning.
- Approval of an optional sign package allows for consistent presentation of signage throughout larger-scale projects and requires submission of a complete application, scaled drawings, elevations, and total sign area calculations; any deviations require amendment of the optional sign package and approval by the Chief of Zoning.
- An approved optional sign package will govern the signage that is located within an area that is subject to an application, and a permit must be obtained prior to the erection of any signs implementing an optional sign package.
- Denial of a sign plan or optional sign package is appealable to the Board of Appeals.
- If a sign to be installed deviates from an approved sign plan, a revised sign plan must be approved.

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

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