Wicomico County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 9
Signs
§ 225-120 Purpose.
A.
General purpose.
(1)
The purpose of this Part 9 is to regulate the size and location of signs in Wicomico County in order to preserve safety and to prevent the proliferation of signs which detract from the landscape.
(2)
Signs shall be designed and regulated in such a manner as to:
(a)
Prevent a cluttered appearance along major highways;
(b)
Present a harmonious appearance among and within the various developments that may occur; and
(c)
Minimize adverse effects upon neighboring properties, while providing clear identification of each development and each use within a development.
B.
Signs are recognized to present problems and conditions unique unto themselves, and, therefore, the following regulations and restrictions are designed to ensure that signs, which because of their nature, size, structure, design, color, lighting or location, will not have an adverse effect on surrounding properties or on the community in general.
C.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, no sign shall be permitted, erected or used in any district except as permitted in this Part 9.
D.
Every sign shall be designed to be compatible with the architectural design of the building(s) and site to which it principally relates. Included in this design, the colors, materials, and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious.
E.
Identification signs of a prototype design and corporation logos shall conform to the criteria for all other signs.
F.
All signs and all components thereof, including, without limitation, supports, braces, and anchors, shall be kept in a state of good repair.
G.
With respect to freestanding signs, components (supporting structures, backs, etc.) not bearing a message shall be constructed of materials that blend with the natural environment or shall be painted a neutral color to blend with the natural environment.
§ 225-121 Signs excluded from regulation.
The following signs are exempt from regulation under this chapter.
A.
Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as:
B.
Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.
C.
Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet each and that bear no advertising matter.
D.
Works of art which do not contain moving parts or lights, including decorative or architectural features of buildings, that do not include a commercial message. Commercial messages shall include logos, prototypes, letters, trademarks and other decorative images used to advertise a vendor's merchandise or services.
E.
Signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs.
F.
Flags, pennants, or insignia of any nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
G.
Signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles that are not primarily used as freestanding signs.
H.
Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the parcel on which such sign is located.
§ 225-122 General regulations.
Any sign erected, placed, attached, or substantially altered, or reconstructed shall conform to the following regulations:
A.
Signs that revolve, flash, are animated or that utilize movement or apparent movement to attract the attention of the public are prohibited.
B.
Every sign shall have good scale and proportion in its design and in its visual relationship to buildings and surroundings.
C.
The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in proportion to the sign face.
D.
Each sign shall be compatible with the signs on adjacent and nearby surrounding premises.
E.
Advertisement.
F.
No sign shall interfere with traffic or conflict with other government signs.
(1)
No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets or private roads.
(2)
No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
G.
Freestanding signs shall be secured so that they may not be moved by wind or other forces of nature.
H.
Additional regulations for all on-site banners, pennants and flags.
(1)
Banners and pennants may be indirectly illuminated during hours of operation only.
(2)
All banners, pennants and flags should be securely attached to the support structure to prevent sagging or dropping of the pennants, banners or flags.
(3)
Banners, pennants and flags shall not be used in the calculation of permitted sign area for each use.
§ 225-123 Signs in the public rights-of-way.
A.
No signs shall be allowed in or over the public right-of-way, except signs placed with the permission of the Wicomico County Department of Public Works. Such signs may include:
B.
Emergency warning signs may be erected by a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
C.
Any sign installed or placed on public property in violation of this section shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation.
D.
In addition to the other remedies hereunder, the county shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
§ 225-124 Computations.
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
A.
Computation of area of individual signs.
(1)
The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed as the greater of:
(a)
The smallest square or rectangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display; or
(b)
Any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed; or
(c)
A combination area of the integral background of the display and the smallest shape that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display which extends beyond the area of the background.
(2)
Computation shall not include any structural elements outside the limits of such sign which is not an integral part of the display. An integral part of the display can include support structure if such support is necessary for the overall appearance of the sign.
B.
Computation of area of multifaced signs.
(1)
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible at the point where the greatest sign area is visible.
(2)
When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
C.
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at site grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
§ 225-125 Certain temporary signs.
The following temporary signs are permitted without a special exception or sign permit. However, such signs shall meet the standards set forth below.
A.
Construction site identification signs.
(1)
Construction site identification signs may identify the project, the owner or developer, architect, engineer, contractor and subcontractors, funding sources, and may contain related information including, but not limited to, sale or leasing information.
(2)
Not more than one such sign may be erected per site, and it may not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(3)
Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall be removed within 10 days after the issuance of the final occupancy permit.
B.
Grand opening signs.
(2)
A grand opening or grand re-opening is permitted to display two off-premises signs, provided:
(a)
Written permission is obtained from the owner of the property where the sign is to be located.
(b)
Signs may only indicate grand opening or re-opening, name of business, merchandise available, date of event, location of business and owner's name. These signs shall not include prices.
(c)
Signs are not displayed more than two weeks prior to the event and must be removed no more than one week after the event.
(d)
Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
D.
Holiday signs. Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays.
G.
Real estate signs.
(1)
Signs containing the message that the real estate on which the sign is located (including buildings) is for sale, lease, or rent, together with information identifying the owner or agent may not exceed size specifications for each district as listed below and shall be unlighted.
(2)
All real estate signs advertising property for sale, lease, or rental shall be removed within 10 days following the final sale, lease or rental of the property.
(3)
One such sign per street frontage shall be permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, lots of five acres or more in area may erect a second sign on every street frontage which is in excess of 400 feet.
(4)
Real estate signs shall not exceed the following area requirements in the respective districts:
(a)
A-1 Agriculture-Rural, V-C Village Conservation, TT Town Transition, and all residential districts: four square feet in area.
(b)
C-1 Select Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, C-3 Regional Commercial, IS-1 Institutional and Select Industrial, LB-1 Light Business and Institutional and LB-2 Light Business and Residential Districts: 32 square feet in area.
(c)
I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts: 40 square feet in area.
H.
Temporary signs advertising a merchandise sale. Merchandise sale signs which are temporary in nature are permitted in nonresidential districts without obtaining a permit if the business does not exceed the overall maximum sign area allowed for the property under this chapter.
I.
Signs attached temporarily to the interior of a building window or glass door.
§ 225-126 Outdoor advertising structures.
A.
Outdoor advertising structures, as defined in Part 3 (See “Sign” definition.) of this chapter, shall not be erected within 660 feet of the right-of-way line of the following primary federal-aid highways:
(1)
United States Route 50 (West): east side of the highway from the Salisbury corporate limits to the Dorchester County line; and west side of the highway from Rockawalkin Road to the Dorchester County line.
(2)
United States Route 50 (East): both sides of the highway from the Salisbury corporate limits to the Worcester County line.
(3)
United States Route 13 (South): both sides of the highway from the Fruitland corporate limits to the Somerset County line.
(4)
United States Route 13 Bypass (East): east side of the highway in its entirety; west side of the bypass from the beginning of the southerly end to the beginning of the commercial district at the northerly end.
(5)
Maryland Route 12 (Snow Hill Road): both sides of the highway from the City of Salisbury corporate limits to the Worcester County line.
(6)
The U.S. Route 50 Bypass: both sides of the highway in its entirety from U.S. Route 13 Business west to U.S. Route 50 West.
B.
No outdoor advertising structure shall be erected without a sign permit issued by the Wicomico County Building Inspector. All such structures shall conform to the following minimum requirements:
(1)
Setback. All structures shall be set back not less than 100 feet from the property line facing a public road or 150 feet from the center line of said road, whichever distance is the greater.
(2)
Spacing. Such structures shall not be less than 2,000 feet from the next nearest outdoor advertising structure.
(3)
Structure type. Such structures shall be limited to back-to-back, V-structures and double-faced, which shall include double structures joined by a mutual or attached frame, provided that the same shall be considered one structure as defined herein.
(4)
Sign area. The maximum sign area permitted for each face of the structure shall not exceed 300 square feet, and the trim surrounding each sign area shall not exceed 10 inches on any side.
(5)
Distance from residential district. No outdoor advertising structure may be erected within 100 feet of any dwelling located in an adjacent residential district if such sign is visible from such dwelling.
(6)
Lighting. All outdoor advertising structures, where lighted, shall be indirectly illuminated.
(7)
Height. No such structure shall exceed a maximum height of 30 feet above the ground.
(8)
Nonconforming outdoor advertising structure. Outdoor advertising structures existing on the effective date of this chapter which do not conform to the provisions set forth herein shall become nonconforming.
§ 225-127 Permitted permanent signs.
The following signs on the premises of the business advertised may not be erected without a permit from the Wicomico County Building Inspector and shall conform to the following location, area and other requirements:
A.
In all residential districts and all resource conservation districts, no sign exceeding four square feet in surface area or located within a line two feet from the curbline, or the property line, whichever distance is greater, will be permitted.
(1)
The uses for which such sign may be located shall be:
(a)
Bed-and-breakfasts and country inns.
(b)
Care homes.
(c)
Child- and elderly-care homes.
(d)
Nursery schools.
(e)
Places of religious assembly.
(f)
Schools of special instruction.
(g)
Similar uses permitted in a residential district or resource conservation district, either as a permitted use or a special exception use.
(2)
A sign greater than four square feet in surface area for the above-listed uses shall require a special exception by the Board of Appeals.
B.
Freestanding signs. One freestanding sign is permitted in the commercial, institutional, business and industrial districts and CID and PIP subject to such limitations as specified herein:
(1)
Pedestal signs. Pedestal signs, which are those supported by not more than two posts or poles, are permitted as a freestanding sign, provided:
(a)
Said post or poles shall be not larger than 18 inches square or in diameter.
(b)
Said sign may be located within the building setback area, but shall be located no closer than two feet from the curbline, if existing,, or property line as measured along a line extended vertically from that point on the ground surface.
(c)
Such signs shall not be higher than 30 feet or lower than 10 feet above the ground.
(2)
Ground signs. Ground signs, are permitted as freestanding signs, provided:
(3)
C-1 Select Commercial and LB-2 Light Business and Residential Districts. One freestanding sign is permitted.
(a)
Sign area.
[1]
Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area;
[2]
Notwithstanding the foregoing, corner lots having a minimum of 100 feet of street frontage may install one indirectly illuminated freestanding sign not exceeding 48 square feet in area in lieu of preceding signage; and
[3]
In an LB-2 Light Business and Residential District:
(b)
Freestanding signs must be set back 15 feet from the property line or 10 feet from the existing sidewalk or sidewalk reservation.
(4)
LB-1 Light Business and Institutional, C-3 Regional Commercial, I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts: one on-site, freestanding sign is permitted, provided:
(5)
C-2 General Commercial: one on-site, freestanding sign is permitted, provided:
(6)
C-2 General Commercial, LB-1 Light Business and Institutional Districts: Each development proposed to be on property abutting the right-of-way of a major highway (Major highways include U.S. Route 50, the Salisbury Bypass and U.S. Route 13) shall be limited to one freestanding, on-site commercial sign, provided:
(a)
Such sign shall not exceed an area of 100 square feet;
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed a height to 30 feet along that highway; and
(c)
Said signs may be situated within the building setback requirements, but no part of the signs shall be closer than 20 feet from the property line.
(d)
Additional on-site commercial signs may be permitted by special exception by the Board of Appeals and shall meet the requirements of freestanding signs for a C-2 District.
(e)
The location of each proposed, freestanding, on-site commercial sign shall be designated on a site plan and a sketch showing the approximate dimensions and general appearance of the signs.
(7)
CID Corporate Industrial District.
(a)
One freestanding sign, no larger than 100 square feet in total size of advertisement, may be located within the front setback requirement with approval of the Planning Commission.
C.
Wall signs. Wall signs, placed against the exterior of buildings, are permitted in the C-1 Select Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, C-3 Regional Commercial, LB-1 Light Business and Institutional, LB-2 Light Business and Residential, I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts as well as the CID and PIP, provided:
(1)
Such signs shall not be located beyond the top of the wall on which they are located; and
(2)
Such signs shall meet the following regulations within each district.
(a)
C-1 Select Commercial, LB-2 Light Business and Residential: one wall sign is permitted, provided:
(b)
C-2 General Commercial, C-3 Regional Commercial and LB-1 Light Business and Institutional: one wall sign is permitted, provided:
(c)
I-1 Light Industry and I-2 Heavy Industry Districts: one wall sign is permitted, provided:
(d)
CID Corporate Industrial District and PIP Planned Industrial Park: one wall sign is permitted, provided:
[1]
Such signs shall not project above the principal roof of a building, except that a sign may be attached flat against a wall, not exceeding three feet above such rooflines.
[2]
CID Corporate Industrial District: Such signs shall not exceed 60 square feet.
[3]
PIP Planned Industrial Park: Such signs shall not exceed in aggregate 100 square feet.
D.
Projecting signs. Projecting signs are permitted in the C-1 Select Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, and LB-2 Light Business and Residential Districts, provided:
(1)
One projecting sign is permitted.
(2)
Said sign shall not extend more than 72 inches from the front of the building.
(3)
Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4)
Projecting signs must be at least eight feet from the ground.
(5)
If a projecting sign is suspended or projects above a public right-of-way, the issuance and continuation of a sign permit shall be conditioned on the sign owner obtaining and maintaining in force liability insurance for such a sign in such form and such amount as the county may reasonably from time to time determine.
(6)
In an LB-2 Light Business and Residential District the total sign area permitted for all on-site signage shall not exceed 50 square feet.
E.
Awning signs. One awning sign may be permitted in a C-1 Select Commercial and LB-2 Light Business and Residential District under the following conditions:
(1)
No sign shall project from an awning. Awning graphics may be painted or affixed flat to the surface of the front or sides.
(2)
Awning graphics shall be a single line not exceeding six inches in height.
(3)
No awning sign shall be internally illuminated.
(4)
In an LB-2 Light Business and Residential District, the total sign area permitted for all on-site signage shall not exceed 50 square feet.
F.
Directory signs. Directory signs shall be permitted in business centers, corporate industrial districts, and planned industrial parks, provided:
§ 225-128 Specific use permanent signage.
Special limitations and regulations are applicable to the following uses, regardless of the district in which they are located.
A.
Agriculture equipment sales. The following signs may be permitted by special exception for agriculture equipment sales:
(1)
Freestanding signs. One freestanding sign is permitted only if the lot does not contain one directly illuminated projecting sign.
(3)
Projecting signs. One projecting sign is permitted only if the lot does not have one freestanding sign.
(4)
Awning signs. One awning sign may be permitted under the following conditions:
(a)
No sign shall project from an awning.
(b)
Awning graphics may be painted or affixed flat to the surface of the front or sides.
(c)
Awning graphics shall be a single line or lettering not exceeding six inches in height, but if over three inches in height, shall be debited against the permitted wall sign surface area.
(d)
No awning sign shall be internally illuminated.
F.
G.
Outdoor community events.
(1)
An outdoor community event, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, may locate banners, flags and pennants, provided:
(2)
An outdoor community event, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, may display off-pio,, provided:
(a)
Written permission is obtained from the property where the sign is to be located and is provided.
(b)
A permit is obtained stating location, wording and date of event. Sign information must be limited to event name, date, location and sponsor.
(c)
No more than four signs per event may be erected.
(d)
Signs may not exceed 32 square feet in area per sign.
(e)
They may be erected no more than four weeks prior to the event and must be removed no more than 10 days after the event.
H.
Shopping centers. Signs permitted in a shopping center shall be limited as follows:
(2)
No lighted sign shall shine directly into adjacent residential properties.
(3)
All signs within the center shall be controlled by written agreement between the owners and tenants of the center so as to avoid excessive advertising and to ensure an attractive and harmonious appearance throughout the center.
(4)
Only one flat wall identity sign shall be permitted for each operating business establishment, whether lighted or unlighted.
(5)
Shopping centers in the C-3 Regional Commercial District may use banners to advertise a sale, provided:
I.
Wayside stands. One sign relating to a wayside stand is permitted, provided:
(1)
Such sign shall not exceed a height of 20 feet.
(3)
Location:
(a)
Such sign shall be set back a minimum distance of 15 feet from the right-of-way.
(b)
Such sign shall be erected within 100 feet of building, vehicle or area of general display; and
(c)
No sign shall be erected within 35 feet of a corner in order to provide clear view to motorists at intersections.
(4)
All nonconforming signs relating to legal nonconforming wayside stands, as herein defined, shall be made to conform within three years of the effective date of this chapter.
J.
Subdivision signs. One sign identifying a residential subdivision is permitted.
(1)
Height. Such signs shall not exceed a height of five feet.
(2)
Area. Such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3)
Setback. Such sign shall be set back 15 feet from the back of the curb or the property line of the public roadway.
(4)
Any sign located within the public right-of-way shall require the approval of the Wicomico County Department of Public Works.
§ 225-129 Master signage plan.
A.
A master signage plan shall be required for any proposed shopping center, planned business center, industrial park, or other commercial, business, institutional or industrial development that involves approval of a development plan. No permit shall be issued for an individual sign unless and until a master signage plan has been approved by the Planning Commission or Board of Appeals.
B.
Information required. A master signage plan shall contain the following information:
(1)
An accurate plot plan of the proposed development site, at such scale as the Zoning Administrator may reasonably require;
(2)
Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas;
(3)
Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs allowed in the district under this chapter; and
(4)
An accurate indication on the site plan of the proposed location of each sign of any type, whether requiring a permit or not, except that incidental signs need not be shown.
C.
No permit shall be issued for a sign included in a master signage plan that does not conform to the standards of the approved plan. A master signage plan may be amended at anytime.