Sign Regulations in Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury, Maryland has specific sign regulations covering 42 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include All signs permitted in General Commercial District, Instructional Sign, Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Salisbury, Maryland
Sample Sign Requirements in Salisbury
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Sign | — | No maximum (any size or shape) | — |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
42
- All signs permitted in General Commercial District
- Instructional Sign
- Wall Sign
- Temporary Real Estate Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
15
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Salisbury
Other Cities in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Salisbury 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 Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, regulated sign types include All signs permitted in General Commercial District, Instructional Sign, Wall Sign, Temporary Real Estate Sign, 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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Salisbury has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Salisbury, Maryland Sign Rules at a Glance
Salisbury, Maryland regulates 42 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Trailer/Portable Sign (Temporary)s in the General Commercial District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 60 sq ft per face, and 10 ft in length wide, with a 15 ft from curbline setback (Sec. 17.216.110(B)(5)). Most commercial signs in Salisbury require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Salisbury, Maryland
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Salisbury (15 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — |
| R-5, R-8, R-8S, R-10, R-10S | 4 | 5 ft | 30 sq ft (combined with identification sign) | — |
| R-5A, RR-5A, R-8A | 3 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Office and Service Residential District | 3 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Office and Service Highway District | 7 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| College and University District | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Commercial District | 7 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft (both signs) | — |
| Light Business and Institutional District | 4 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| Regional Commercial District | 6 | 30 ft | 125 sq ft per face | — |
| Neighborhood Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Riverfront Redevelopment Multiuse District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Light Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shopping Centers | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Salisbury(sample of 3 of 15 zones)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Sign | — | No maximum (any size or shape) | — | — | — | Any location as directed by governmental body or agency | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(A) |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(B), 17.216.200(B)(3) |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building/use | One for each principal building or use on a premises | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(C), 17.216.200(B)(15) |
| Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 20 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from curbline | 1 per main entrance, 2 faces | Main entrance | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(D) |
| Temporary Development Sign | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — | Setback as required by district | 2 faces max | — | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(F) |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 32 sq ft aggregate | — | 15 ft from curbline, or same as nearest building if less than 15 ft | Unlimited, subject to aggregate size | On any privately owned lot; set back at least 15 ft from curbline unless building is located less than 15 ft from curbline (then as close as building) | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(J), 17.216.200(B)(11) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curbline, 500 ft from other directional signs | 1 per use | Within one mile of use, set back 10 ft from curbline, min. 500 ft from any other directional sign on that side of the street | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(K), 17.216.200(B)(16) |
| Nonbusiness Sign | — | 6 sq ft aggregate | — | 15 ft from curbline, or same as nearest building if less than 15 ft | Aggregate area | Set back 15 ft from curbline, or attached to occupied structure | — | Unlock | 17.216.050(L), 17.216.200(B)(12) |
Office and Service Highway District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (1st Frontage) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | 20 ft from curbline | 1 per frontage | Ground, 1st street frontage | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(B)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Additional Frontage) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curbline | 1 per additional frontage | Second street frontage | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(B)(1), 17.216.200(F) |
| Marquee or Soffit Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Marquee or soffit | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(B)(3) |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from back of curb | 2 faces max | Set back 15 ft from back of curb | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(C)(1) |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 2 per entrance-exit | — | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(C)(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curbline | — | — | — | Unlock | 17.216.090(C)(3) |
General Commercial District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from curbline/property line | 1 per lot | Set back 15 ft from curbline or property line if no curbline | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | 2 ft from curbline/property line | 1 | Projecting | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign (per wall) | — | 200 sq ft (both signs) | — | — | 2 per wall | Wall | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(3) |
| Roof Sign | 16 ft above roofline | 100 sq ft (total for both signs) | — | — | 2 | Roof | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(4) |
| Trailer/Portable Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft per face | 10 ft in length | 15 ft from curbline | Max 3 per 2,000 ft (1 per lot at a time) | Shall not be placed in required parking spaces. Set back 15 ft from curbline. | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(5) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | 2 ft from curbline/property line | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(B)(6) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curbline | — | — | — | Unlock | 17.216.110(C) |
PermitPal covers all 15 zoning districts in Salisbury — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 15 zones for Salisbury — start freeProhibited Signs in Salisbury
- Signs which produce noise or sounds or emit visible smoke, vapor, particles or odor.
- Signs with intermittent light resembling, or seeming to resemble, the flashing lights customarily associated with danger or such as are customarily used by police, fire and ambulance vehicles or for navigation purposes.
- Signs located and so illuminated as to provide a background of colored lights to the extent that they may be confusing to motorists when viewed from normal approaching position of a vehicle at a distance of twenty-five (25) to three hundred (300) feet.
- Signs in any location which obstruct the vision of motorists of traffic control devices, intersections or traffic movement.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles.
- Signs attached to any vehicle parked permanently.
- Signs which are, taken as a whole, obscene or profane as currently defined, described or determined by the United States Supreme Court and/or by the court of Appeals of Maryland.
- Signs which are an imitation of or resemble an official traffic sign or signal or which bear the words STOP, GO, SLOW, CAUTION, DANGER, WARNING or similar words, which would adversely affect traffic.
Exempt Signs in Salisbury
- Signs erected by or required to be erected by any government agency.
- Changing of copy on a bulletin board, poster board, display easement, outdoor advertising structure or marquee.
- Temporary instructional signs not exceeding two square feet in area or three feet in height.
- Signs on trucks, buses or other vehicles while in use in the normal course of business.
- Nonilluminated signs, not exceeding six square feet in area, with letters not exceeding one foot in height, painted, stamped, perforated or stitched on the surface area of an awning, canopy, roller curtain or umbrella.
- Memorial tablets or signs and historic markers.
- Flags and insignias of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal and welfare or religious organizations and national flags and flags of political subdivisions of the United States; provided, there are no more than three flags, any one of which may not exceed twenty (20) square feet on any single lot.
- One banner of no more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area for no more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in any year.
- Permanent signs on vending machines and dispensers such as gasoline pumps.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet locating utility facilities.
- One or more political campaign signs which, in aggregate, do not exceed a total of thirty-two (32) square feet in area, set back at least fifteen (15) feet from the curbline, on any privately owned lot, except where a building is located less than fifteen (15) feet from the curbline and, in that event, the setback is the lesser of fifteen (15) feet or the distance between the building and the curbline.
- Nonbusiness signs (which are not outdoor advertising structures as defined in Section 17.216.020) may be erected for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days in any calendar year by or for the owner or lawful occupant of any lot or structure which signs, in aggregate, do not exceed a total of six square feet in area, nonilluminated. Such signs must be set back at least fifteen (15) feet from the curbline on any lot or affixed to an occupied dwelling, structure or building, except where such dwelling, structure or building is located less than fifteen (15) feet from the curbline and, in that event, the setback is the lesser of fifteen (15) feet or the distance between the dwelling structure or building and the curbline.
- Temporary real estate signs as specified in Section 17.216.050(E), which have a maximum area of eight square feet, nonilluminated.
- Temporary construction signs as specified in Section 17.216.050(G).
- Name and address signs not exceeding one for each principal business or use on a premises and not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Temporary directional signs as specified in Section 17.216.050(K).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Salisbury
- Every redeveloped or newly developed property in the central business district (CBD) shall require a sign plan showing the overall design and treatment of nontemporary signs, which shall be submitted for approval as part of development approval required by chapter 17.28 and Section 17.12.070.
- Every redeveloped or newly developed property in the riverfront redevelopment multiuse district shall require a sign plan showing the overall design and treatment of signs, which shall be submitted for approval as part of development approval required by chapter 17.104 and Section 17.12.070.
Source: municode municipal code