Westminster City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVII
Signs
§ 164-117 Purpose and intent.
In addition to the purposes set forth in § 164-2 of this chapter, the purpose of the requirements set forth in this article which regulate the location, size, placement and certain features of signs is to enable the public to locate goods, services and facilities without difficulty, danger or confusion, to prevent wasteful use of natural resources in competition among businesses for attention, to prevent hazards to life and property and to assure the continued attractiveness of the City and the protection of property values.
§ 164-118 Compliance required.
No sign may be erected in any zone, nor a permit issued therefor, unless such sign is specifically permitted by this article and complies with all of the requirements of this chapter.
§ 164-119 General regulations.
In furtherance of the purpose and intent of this article as set forth in § 164-117, the following general requirements shall be applicable to all signs except those erected by a governmental agency:
A.
No sign shall be erected which obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building or structure or which otherwise endangers the safety of a building, premises or person.
B.
No sign shall be erected which, by reason of its position, size, shape or color, may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any traffic sign, signal or device or railroad sign or signal or which makes use of any word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
C.
No sign which uses the word "stop" or "danger" or which presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger shall be displayed.
D.
No sign shall be erected which utilizes rotating, blinking, flashing or fluttering illumination or illumination which varies in color or intensity.
[Amended 9-28-2015 by Ord. No. 860[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided that it would be effective retroactively to 2-23-2012, except to the extent that it would impair a vested right of a property owner.
E.
F.
No sign shall be erected by or placed by any person on any public property or right-of-way, including sidewalks.
G.
No sign shall be erected in such a location as to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular circulation onto or off of the property on which it is located.
H.
No motor vehicle shall be parked in any zone under circumstances reasonably indicating an intent to make principal use of such motor vehicle as a sign for any person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry.
I.
No sign shall be permitted which contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character or such as will offend public morals or decency.
J.
No sign shall be placed on rocks, trees or on poles maintained by public utilities.
§ 164-120 Signs not requiring permits.
The following signs are permitted without a permit in any zone, provided that the following conditions are adhered to:
A.
Signs indicating the name and/or premises or accessory use of a home for a home occupation, its residents or professional purposes, not exceeding one square foot in area.
B.
Signs, not exceeding 30 square feet, on a farm advertising farm products primarily grown on the premises, provided that they are located off the highway right-of-way and do not interfere with traffic visibility.
C.
Any directional or informational or historic marker of a public or quasi-public nature, such as those containing the meeting date of a community or civic club, the advertising of an event of public interest or noncommercial information for the convenience of the traveling public.
D.
Temporary real estate signs, not exceeding eight square feet and located on and advertising the subject property for sale or lease.
E.
Freestanding signs or signs attached to fences no larger than two square feet warning the public against trespassing, dangerous animals or the like.
F.
Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising a product, service or entertainment.
G.
Building contractors' and professional persons' temporary signs on buildings or subdivisions under construction, limited to a total area for all such signs on said buildings or subdivisions of 150 square feet during the period of construction.
H.
Temporary signs, not exceeding 30 square feet in area, announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs may not be posted more than one month before and may not be displayed beyond seven days after such campaign, drive or event.
I.
Political campaign signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto shall be permitted up to a total area of nine square feet for each premises in a residential zone and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial zone. The signs shall be confined within private property and shall not be less than 15 feet or the back edge of the sidewalk, whichever is greater, and 100 feet from the nearest curb intersection of any street or road.
[Amended 10-27-2008 by Ord. No. 789]
§ 164-121 On-premises business signs.
[Amended 9-11-1995 by Ord. No. 601; 9-22-1997 by Ord. No. 622; 2-9-1998 by Ord. No. 626; 9-25-2000 by Ord. No. 638; 11-26-2001 by Ord. No. 674; 1-14-2013 by Ord. No. 838; 9-28-2015 by Ord. No. 860; 10-24-2016 by Ord. No. 870; 10-13-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-01]
A.
Business signs pertaining to a use on the premises are permitted as an accessory use in the Business Zone, except the Central Business Zone, and in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone, provided that they meet the following provisions:
(1)
No such sign shall project over or into any street right-of-way or project more than 12 inches above the parapet wall or roofline.
(2)
Any sign erected shall be located in such a manner that traffic visibility is not impaired.
(3)
Such signs shall be integral with or attached to the building. Additionally, one freestanding sign located at the street right-of-way shall be permitted except as provided in Subsection A(5) hereof. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 feet in total height. The area of all signs on the premises shall not exceed three square feet for each linear foot of the front building wall. No one sign shall exceed 64 square feet in total area except as provided in Subsection A(5) hereof.
(4)
Where the lot adjoins any residential zone, a sign within 50 feet shall be attached flat against the front of the building, and no freestanding sign shall face any residential zone.
(5)
Any sign or signs for property adjacent to any divided street or highway shall be permitted as follows.
(a)
Applications for signs which do not exceed 64 square feet in total area and which do not exceed 12.5 feet in height shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. Applications for signs up to and including 125 square feet and/or up to and including 20 feet in height shall be approved by the Commission. In determining whether or not to approve an application, the Zoning Administrator or the Commission shall take into consideration the following factors: traffic and pedestrian safety; the size, configuration, elevation and location of the property; existing signs on the property and neighboring properties; aesthetics; and any other factors relating to the location, size, design, composition and specific character of the proposed sign deemed appropriate by the Zoning Administrator or the Commission. No sign shall be approved if the Zoning Administrator or the Commission finds that it would not achieve a maximum of compatibility, safety, efficiency and attractiveness.
(b)
One variable electronic message sign (VEMS) will be permitted per approved development site, provided it meets the following provisions:
[1]
Animated, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, full motion or any other similar message or transitional movement is prohibited;
[2]
Only text messages shall be displayed, and the message shall not change more than once every 30 seconds;
[3]
Advertisements for off-premises businesses or services are prohibited;
[4]
A VEMS may only be used as part of a wall or monument sign;
[5]
A VEMS must have automatic dimming capability that adjusts brightness to ambient light at all times, not to exceed 5,000 candelas per square meter during daylight hours and 500 candelas per square meter between dusk and dawn;
[6]
The VEMS shall present a maximum of three colors and shall display a dark screen in the event of a sign malfunction;
[7]
The VEMS shall not exceed 32 square feet, which area will be counted toward the maximum sign allowance; and
[8]
The VEMS shall be subordinate to the business name portion of the sign (the VEMS may not be the predominant feature).
(c)
On properties used exclusively for, or including, drive-through restaurants, automobile service stations and other similar establishments serving motorists, one VEMS, as permitted under Subsection A(5)(b) above, and one illuminated electronic display will be permitted per establishment, provided that:
(6)
On property used exclusively by a single tenant in a freestanding building with its own parking field, where the floor area of the building exceeds 70,000 square feet, individual building signs that exceed 125 square feet in area may be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, upon the request of the property owner, where such approval will not otherwise impair the purposes of this article. The area of all signs on the premises shall not exceed three square feet for each linear foot of the front building wall.
B.
Other standards.
(1)
Signs located in the Central Business Zone shall conform to the standards set forth in the "Standards for Renovation Westminster," Chapter III, as adopted February 27, 1978, and as may be amended from time to time.
(2)
Signs located outside of the Central Business Zone and within the Westminster Historic District as designated in the National Register of Historic Places shall conform to any and all standards as may be hereinafter adopted and amended from time to time.
C.
Signs located in the Planned Regional Shopping Center Zone shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following provisions :
(1)
One freestanding identification sign shall be permitted per State Highway Administration-approved vehicular access to parking areas. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 feet total height and shall not exceed 125 square feet in area.
(2)
A freestanding identification sign may include a VEMS, provided that:
(a)
Animated, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, full motion or any other similar message or transitional movement is prohibited;
(b)
Only text messages shall be displayed, and the message shall not change more than once every 30 seconds;
(c)
Advertisements for off-premises businesses or services are prohibited;
(d)
The VEMS may only be used as part of a wall or monument sign;
(e)
The VEMS must have automatic dimming capacity that adjusts brightness to ambient light at all times, not to exceed 5,000 candelas per square meter during daylight hours and 500 candelas per square meter between dusk and dawn;
(f)
The VEMS shall present a maximum of three colors and shall display a dark screen in the event of a sign malfunction;
(g)
The VEMS shall not exceed 32 square feet, which area will be counted toward the maximum sign allowance; and
(h)
The VEMS shall be subordinate to the business name portion of the sign (the VEMS may not be the predominant feature).
(3)
On properties including drive-through restaurants, service stations, and other similar establishments serving motorists, one illuminated electronic display will be permitted per establishment, provided that:
(4)
One flat wall sign shall be permitted at each major pedestrian entrance into department stores over 30,000 square feet in leasable area. Said wall signs shall not exceed 150 square feet and shall not extend above the roofline.
(5)
One flat wall sign shall be permitted at each major pedestrian entrance of the mall. Said wall sign shall not exceed 150 square feet and shall not extend above the roofline.
(6)
One flat wall sign shall be permitted for each exterior wall of stores over 60,000 square feet in leasable area. Said wall signs shall not exceed 200 square feet and shall not extend above the roofline.
(7)
Signs for separate standing buildings or stores not included in the mall structure shall meet the provisions established for the Business Zone in Subsection A.
(8)
Any sign or signs other than those provided herein shall be permitted only after application and approval by the Planning Commission.
D.
Signs for special exception uses shall be in accordance with the pertinent provisions of this article and approved by the Board of Appeals upon the granting of a special exception. Such signs may be freestanding or attached to a building but shall not exceed 32 square feet in size, except as to signs provided by § 164-120C. Lighting for such signs shall not cause glare onto neighboring residential properties or uses and shall be approved upon consideration of the character of the neighborhood in which the special exemption is located. Signs for tourist homes, boardinghouses and home occupations shall not exceed two square feet in size on any one side.
E.
Business signs pertaining to a use on the premises are permitted as an accessory use in the P-I Planned Industrial Zone, provided that they meet the following provisions:
(1)
No sign shall project over or into any street right-of-way or project more than 12 inches above the parapet wall or roofline.
(2)
Any sign erected shall be located in such a manner that traffic visibility is not impaired.
(3)
Signs shall be integral with or attached to the building. Additionally, one freestanding sign located at the street right-of-way shall be permitted as provided in Subsection E(5) hereof.
(4)
Where the lot adjoins any residential zone, a sign within 50 feet shall be attached flat against the front of the building, and no freestanding sign shall face any residential zone.
(5)
Any freestanding sign shall be permitted as follows. Applications for signs which do not exceed 64 square feet in total area and which do not exceed 20 feet in height shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. Applications for signs up to and including 250 square feet and/or up to and including 40 feet in height shall be approved by the Commission. In determining whether or not to approve an application, the Zoning Administrator or the Commission shall take into consideration the following factors: traffic and pedestrian safety; the size, configuration elevation and location of the property; existing signs on the property and neighboring properties; aesthetics, and any other factors relating to the location, size, design, composition and specific character of the proposed sign deemed appropriate by the Zoning Administrator or the Commission. No sign shall be approved if the Zoning Administrator or the Commission find that it would not achieve a maximum of compatibility, safety, efficiency and attractiveness.
F.
Business signs pertaining to a use on the premises are permitted as an accessory use in the N-C Neighborhood Commercial Zone, provided that they have been approved as part of an integrated sign program approved by the Commission and meet the following provisions:
(1)
No such sign shall project over or into any street right-of-way or project more than 12 inches above the parapet wall or roofline.
(2)
Any sign erected shall be located in such a manner that traffic visibility is not impaired.
(3)
Such signs shall be integral with or attached to the building. The area of building-mounted signs shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of the front building wall, with a maximum size of 64 square feet.
(4)
Additionally, one freestanding monument-style sign located at the street right-of-way shall be permitted; provided, however, that on sites greater than 14 acres in size, with at least 1,000 feet of frontage on a dual highway, one such additional sign shall be permitted. Said freestanding monument-style sign shall not exceed 12.5 feet in total height and a maximum area of 64 square feet per face.
(5)
Said freestanding identification sign may include a VEMS, provided that:
(a)
Animated, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, full motion or any other similar message or transitional movement is prohibited;
(b)
Only text messages shall be displayed, and the message shall not change more than once every 30 seconds;
(c)
Advertisements for off-premises businesses or services are prohibited;
(d)
The VEMS may only be used as part of a wall or monument sign;
(e)
A VEMS must have automatic dimming capability that adjusts brightness to ambient light at all times, not to exceed 5,000 candelas per square meter during daylight hours and 500 candelas per square meter between dusk and dawn;
(f)
The VEMS shall present a maximum of three colors and shall display a dark screen in the event of a sign malfunction;
(g)
The VEMS shall not exceed 32 square feet, which area will be counted toward the maximum sign allowance;
(h)
The VEMS shall be subordinate to the business name portion of the sign (the VEMS may not be the predominant feature); and
(i)
The VEMS shall display one text message between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(6)
On properties used exclusively for, or including, drive-through restaurants, service stations, and other similar establishments serving motorists, one illuminated electronic display will be permitted per establishment, provided that:
(7)
Where the lot adjoins any residential zone, a sign within 50 feet shall be attached flat against the front of the building, and no freestanding sign shall face any residential zone.
(8)
Any sign or signs other than those provided herein shall be permitted only after application to and approval by the Commission. This provision shall authorize the Commission to increase the square footage limitations of any sign not to exceed 125 square feet.
(9)
In determining whether or not to approve an application, the Commission shall take into consideration the following factors: traffic and pedestrian safety; the size, configuration elevation and location of the property; existing signs on the property and neighboring properties; aesthetics; and any other factors relating to the locations, size, design, composition and specific character of the proposed sign deemed appropriate by the Commission. No sign shall be approved if the Commission finds that it would not achieve a maximum of compatibility, safety, efficiency and attractiveness.
§ 164-122 Outdoor advertising signs.
Outdoor advertising signs, commonly referred to as "billboards" or "poster panels," shall be subject to the following regulations:
A.
Outdoor advertising signs shall be permitted in the P-I, I-R and I-G Zones. No sign shall be located within 200 feet of any residential zone, nor shall such sign be located within 300 feet of an intersection on a two-lane or proposed two-lane highway or within 100 feet of any other intersection.
B.
All outdoor advertising signs shall be spaced at least 300 feet apart. In the case of existing two-lane highways, each side of the two-lane highway shall be considered separately in determining spacing requirements. In the case of non-dual-lane highways, spacing shall be determined and measured between signs, regardless of the side of the highway on which they are located and proposed.
C.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be closer than 100 feet to any property line nor located closer than 660 feet to the right-of-way line of any highway which is part of the interstate highway system nor closer than 200 feet to the right-of-way line of any other street or road.
D.
Outdoor advertising signs shall be no higher than 30 feet.
E.
No sign shall exceed more than 260 feet in area.
F.
No outdoor advertising sign shall be permitted in the following scenic areas in a residential zone within the City along the following Maryland routes: Route Nos. 31, 97 and 140.
§ 164-123 Sign permits.
A.
Except as provided in § 164-120, no sign shall be erected, altered or relocated without a sign permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
B.
The application for a sign permit shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator. The permit application shall be signed by the applicant, and when the applicant is any person other than the owner of the property, the permit application shall also be signed by the owner of the property and shall contain the location of the sign structure, the name and address of the sign owner and of the sign erector and drawings showing the design, dimensions and locations of the sign and such other pertinent information as the Zoning Administrator may require to ensure compliance with the laws of the City.
D.
A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not begun within a period of six months after the date of the permit. A permit may be renewed, and no additional fee shall be charged for such renewal.
E.
The following operations shall not be considered as creating a sign and shall not require a permit:
(1)
Replacing copy: the changing of the advertising copy or message on an approved painted or printed sign or on a theater marquee and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
(2)
Maintenance: painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or a sign structure, unless a structural change is made.
F.
All signs requiring permits shall display, in a place conspicuous to inspectors, evidence of the permit containing such data as may be supplied and designated by the Zoning Administrator.
§ 164-124 Structural requirements; inspection and maintenance.
A.
All signs shall comply with the pertinent requirements of the BOCA Basic Building Code, as may be amended from time to time.
B.
Signs for which a permit is required shall be inspected periodically by the Zoning Administrator for compliance with this article and the other laws of the City.
C.
All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.
D.
The Zoning Administrator is authorized to adopt rules and regulations to ensure that signs are constructed, licensed and maintained in accordance with this article.
§ 164-125 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Signs which do not conform to the regulations and restrictions prescribed for the zone in which they are situated but which were erected in accordance with regulations in effect at the time may remain as long as the use advertised remains.
B.
No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, reconstructed or altered in any manner nor shall it be worded to advertise any other use than was advertised at the time it became nonconforming.
C.
No nonconforming sign shall be moved on the same lot or to any other lot unless the moving will relocate the sign into a zone in which it would conform.
§ 164-126 Removal.
A.
The Zoning Administrator shall order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this article. Ten days' notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign or of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located to remove the sign or to bring it into compliance with this article. Upon failure to remove the sign or to comply with this notice or an appeal taken timely to the Board of Appeals, the Zoning Administrator may cause the sign to be removed. The Zoning Administrator may remove the sign immediately and without notice if it reasonably appears that the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public. Any costs of removal incurred by the Zoning Administrator shall be assessed to the owner of the property on which such sign is located and may be collected in the manner of ordinary debt or in the manner of taxes, and such charge shall be a lien on the property.
§ 164-127 Abandonment.
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Zoning Administrator may remove it in accordance with § 164-126. These removal provisions shall not apply where a succeeding owner or lessee conducts the same type of business and agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this article or changes the copy on the signs to advertise the type of business being conducted on the premises, provided that the signs comply with the other provisions of this article.
§ 164-128 Appeals.
Upon denial of a sign permit or an order of removal by the Zoning Administrator or where a variance is denied, the sign owner or owner of the property on which a sign is located may file an appeal within 30 days of the date of action of the Zoning Administrator to the Board of Appeals. The appeal shall be in writing in such form as required by the Board.
§ 164-129 Violations and penalties.
Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the penalty contained in § 164-159.