# Sign Regulations in Smithsburg Town, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Smithsburg Town, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/smithsburg-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/26870386#26870386)

## At a glance

Smithsburg Town, Maryland regulates 15 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Permanent Residential Entrance Identification Signs in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 35 sq ft, with a Min 10 ft from road right-of-way setback (Sec. §405-47A–C). Most commercial signs in Smithsburg Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 5 | 7 ft | 35 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On the building wall; perpendicular signs under canopy allowed if ≤4 sq ft. | — | §405-40.A, §405-42.A, §405-42.D |
| Freestanding Sign | — | Max 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage, not to exceed 200 sq ft (§405-45B(2)(c)). | — | Min 20 ft from right-of-way OR 50 ft from street centerline, whichever is greater (§405-42.E). | 1 for 1–1,000 ft street frontage; 1 for each additional full 1,000 ft | See zone-specific restrictions; not to face adjoining residential use or district (§405-45B(2)(d)). | — | §405-45B(2)(b)-(d), §405-42.D |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale/Lease) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; one per street frontage if multiple | On property for sale/lease | — | §405-45C(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Development/Subdivision Opening) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; one per street frontage if multiple | On developing property | — | §405-45C(2) |
| Temporary Contractor/Architect/Builder Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | At construction site | — | §405-45C(3) |
| Temporary Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Event Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §405-45C(4) |
| Temporary Business Sandwich Board Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On business premises but not in pedestrian walkways | — | §405-45C(5) |
| Directional/Nongovernmental Traffic Control Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §405-45A(4) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Residential Building or Home Occupation | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property (or 1 per street frontage if multiple) | On property, 1 sign per property unless it fronts more than one street (then 1 per frontage) | — | §405-45A(1) |
| Identification Sign - Active Farm | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per adjoining road | 1 per road adjoining the farm | — | §405-45A(2) |
| Identification Sign - School, Church, Hospital, Other Principle Use (not dwelling) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property (or frontage) | On property, 1 sign per property, or 1 per frontage if multiple frontages | — | §405-45A(3) |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board (School, Church, Hospital, Other) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property, or 1 per street frontage if more than one | On property | — | §405-45A(3) |
| Permanent Residential Entrance Identification Sign | 7 ft | 35 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from road right-of-way | Max 2 at primary, 1 at secondary entrance | Primary residential roadway entrance: max 2 signs; Secondary entrance: max 1 sign | — | §405-47A–C |

## Prohibited signs in Smithsburg Town

- No sign shall be erected, hung, placed or painted in any district except as provided in this chapter.
- No sign erected before the enactment of these regulations shall be altered in any respect or moved, except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, except that any sign may be removed completely.
- No sign shall project more than three feet above the roof nor more than 14 inches out from the wall to which it is attached.
- Signs shall not exceed the height limit permitted for structures in the zoning district in which they are located, unless a variance is granted under specific circumstances.
- All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair. Structurally unsafe signs or those endangering safety must be made safe or removed.
- Lighting devices shall be shielded to prevent shining directly into a public street, highway, or residential district. No flashing or rotating flashing illumination is permitted except for official traffic signs.
- Except for official traffic signs, no sign over six square feet shall be placed nearer than 20 feet to the right-of-way line or 50 feet to the center line of a street, whichever distance is greater.
- No sign shall constitute a public safety or traffic hazard by obstructing traffic signals, signs or the view at intersections.
- No signs except official traffic signs shall be located within the right-of-way of any street or road or on any slope or drainage easement for a street or road.
- No sign shall resemble or be an imitation of an official traffic control device, railroad sign or signal.
- Posting or affixing of signs or posters on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, trees, posts, poles, fences, walls, or other structures is prohibited, except as provided.
- Signs shall not obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or other opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building or structure.
- Off-premises business and commercial advertising signs are not permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Smithsburg Town

- Official signs by federal, state, county, or municipal agencies for traffic control, directional or informational purposes, or signs solely for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare are exempt.
- The flag, name, emblem, or insignia of a nation, governmental unit, or nonprofit educational, charitable, or religious group used as a sign requires compliance with this chapter, but no permit fee is charged.
- Windows and visible interior window areas of business premises are excluded from these regulations.
- Cornerstones built into or attached to a wall or a building are not considered signs.
- No permit required for repainting or repapering a conforming sign.
- Signs on theaters advertising changes in program do not require permits except for the initial installation.
- Temporary signs for the sale or lease of land or building, political campaigns, or civic/philanthropic/educational/religious events, and certain temporary directional signs do not require permits (subject to stated limitations).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no explicit mention of a required master sign plan, general sign plan, or required variance meeting for sign plans. Variances for sign height may be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals under specified circumstances.

## Full detail

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

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