# Sign Regulations in Woodsboro, Maryland

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodsboro, Maryland (MD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maryland/woodsboro
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MD/Woodsboro/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH58ZO_ARTIIIPRAPALDI_S58-96SI)

## At a glance

Woodsboro, Maryland regulates 15 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General commercial (GC), Neighborhood mixed use (NMX), Central business district (CBD), Industrial park (IP) zoning district are capped at 25 ft (measured from average road grade) tall and 150 sq ft, with a Minimum 5 ft from any property line; subject to 1/2 zoning district setback. setback (Sec. Sec. 58-96(b)(4), 58-96(c)(3,5,10), 58-169(c) (CBD restrictions)). Most commercial signs in Woodsboro require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open space (OS) | 3 | — | 6 sq ft (residential/other); 32 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — |
| Low-density residential (R-1), Medium-density residential (R-2) | 2 | — | 6 sq ft (residential/other); 32 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — |
| General commercial (GC), Neighborhood mixed use (NMX), Central business district (CBD), Industrial park (IP) | 11 | 25 ft (measured from average road grade) | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Open space (OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal Service/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use | On-premises | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(1); Sec. 58-166(a) |
| Farm Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per farm | On-premises | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(2); Sec. 58-166(a)(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (residential/other); 32 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — | — | 1 per property or use; subdivision: max 2 per project | On-premises only | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(3) |

### General commercial (GC), Neighborhood mixed use (NMX), Central business district (CBD), Industrial park (IP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot project more than 3 ft above roofline | 200 sq ft | — | — | Limited by frontage (see formula) | On business face | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(1), 58-96(b)(9), 58-33 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft (measured from average road grade) | 150 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property line; subject to 1/2 zoning district setback. | 1 per road frontage, up to max area | On-premises, front yard by setback | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(4), 58-96(c)(3,5,10), 58-169(c) (CBD restrictions) |
| Shopping Center/Industrial Park Identification Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | Subject to district setbacks | 1 per center | On-premises | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(3) |
| Menu/Reader Board | — | — | — | — | Included in freestanding sign allowance | On permitted freestanding sign structure | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(6) |
| Sidewalk Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | — | No greater than 3 ft or 1/2 the width of sidewalk (whichever greater) | — | 1 per business | Directly in front of business, within 10 ft of the business | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(7) |
| Advertising Sign on Ball Field Fence | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Multiple permitted | On ball field fence in regional park | — | Sec. 58-96(b)(8) |
| Bulletin Board (Institutional/Public Use) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible use | On religious/school/college/public property | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(7) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft (commercial, industrial); 6 sq ft (residential/other) | — | — | 1 per premise/event; subdivision: max 2 | On-premises | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate/Yard Sale Directional Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | As needed for direction | Off-premises—directional only | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(9) |
| Farm Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per farm | On-premises | — | Sec. 58-96(a)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Woodsboro

- Billboards are prohibited in all districts.
- Business signs must be immobile, non-flashing, and in no way resemble traffic signals or other warning devices.
- All signs must avoid glare or reflection on any portion of an adjacent highway or residential building.
- Banners and pennants are prohibited except for specified permitted cases.
- No overhanging sign shall extend over any building line more than four feet, unless grandfathered.
- No sign attached to a building may project more than three feet above the roofline.
- No freestanding sign shall be placed within 100 feet of residentially zoned property when adjoining commercial or industrially zoned property.
- Menu/reader boards on freestanding signs shall not have flashing, blinking, fading or moving messages of any type.
- No sign shall be located or placed so as to block the view of traffic or endanger pedestrian or vehicle safety.
- The responsible person must remove the sign of any business that has been defunct for 90 days or more.
- Nonconforming signs must be brought into conformance within two years from the date of ordinance adoption.
- No sign may be attached to utility poles, traffic control posts/signs, or traffic signal poles.
- Any sign left or placed upon any street, alley, park, sidewalk or public place under town control without permission is prohibited and may be subject to removal and penalties.
- Any sign posted, erected or left on property in violation of the zoning regulations is subject to removal and penalties.
- Warning: Sidewalk sandwich signs in violation may be confiscated by the town after a second violation.

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodsboro

- No permit is required for personal service signs, farm signs, temporary real estate signs (except subdivision signs), nonprofit organization identification signs, event signs, bulletin boards, directional/informational/warning signs, or real estate/yard sale directional signs, except as otherwise specified.
- A zoning certificate is required only for new temporary subdivision signs, temporary business banners, pennants, or event signs lasting over 30 days, and most new/replacement business signs, unless exempted.
- Temporary event signs for events of general interest (such as carnivals) do not require a permit but must comply with duration and size limits.
- Town staff is authorized to remove any real estate/yard sale directional signs found in violation; no zoning certificate required for this type.
- Banners, flags, and pennants displayed by or on behalf of the municipal government are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning certificate is required for all new and replacement business signs unless subject to site plan review by the planning commission.
- A site plan is required for all new signs according to section 58-33, including location, size, height and design details.
- For new or replacement overhanging or projecting signs, a zoning certificate, evidence of pre-existence, and an illustration of proposed modifications or replacement must be submitted for approval by the planning commission.
- The planning commission may require more detailed sign plans for signs as part of the site plan review process.
- Sign plan approval may expire if construction does not begin within two years after plan approval (per general site plan rules).
- Master or specific sign plans are not specifically mentioned, but sign details are required in site plan submittals.
- Variance or board of appeals approval is only required for signs if a variance or special exception to district or sign regulations is sought.

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

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