A.
The purpose of this Part 3 is to regulate all exterior signs placed
for observance in an effort to protect property values, to protect
the character of the various neighborhoods in the Town, to protect
health, safety and to promote the public welfare. The principal features
of these regulations are the restriction of advertising to the business
or use of the premises on which the sign is located and the restriction
of the total sign area permissible per site. Signs have a direct and
substantial impact on traffic safety, pedestrian safety, community
aesthetics and property values. While recognizing the important function
signs serve for the community and the economy, the Town also recognizes
the need to control location, size, brightness, legibility, operational
characteristics and maintenance of signs.
B.
The sign regulations are intended to:
(1)
Eliminate or restrict signs which constitute an actual or potential
distraction or other hazard to safe operation of motor vehicles or
safe passage of pedestrians.
(2)
Encourage and protect sound practices in signage, thereby assisting
the public to locate facilities, goods and services without undue
difficulty, danger, or confusion.
(3)
Eliminate unsightly and incongruous signs which tend to depreciate
or diminish private and public investments in buildings, sites and
highways or hinder or discourage the progressive improvement of residential,
business and industrial properties.
(4)
Conserve the attractiveness of the natural landscaped and built
environment of the Town of Bel Air.
(5)
Ensure that permanent signs within one complex coordinate with
the architecture in such a manner that the overall appearance is harmonious
in color, form and proportion.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
(6)
Ensure that all temporary signs shall be limited to the giving
of information, and that such signs shall not hinder vehicular or
pedestrian traffic movement.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17]
[Amended 11-25-2011 by Ord. No. 744-11; 4-3-2017 by Ord. No. 780-17; 4-2-2018 by Ord. No. 783-18; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
In all zoning districts, any sign placed on land or on a building for the purpose of identification or for advertising a use conducted thereon or therein shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to such land, building or use and may require permit. All other permanent signs, commonly referred to as "billboards," which advertise commercial services, products or businesses not connected with the site or building on which they are located, are prohibited. The following sign standards shall apply to each zoning district in the Town of Bel Air. The zoning districts are as defined in Article III of the Town of Bel Air Development Regulations and on the Official Zoning Map.
A.
Residential zoning districts.
(1)
R-1 (Low-Density Residential). One unlighted professional home
occupation sign not exceeding one square foot in area shall be permitted
per single-family dwelling in conjunction with allowable home professions
and occupations as set forth in the Town of Bel Air Development Regulations.
Such signs shall be mounted flat against the building. Additional
signage shall be permitted in the Transition Overlay District as specified
below. No signage lighting is permitted in the R-1 District.
(a)
Freestanding signs. The maximum allowable sign area for any
one professional office which is the sole occupant of a structure
in a Transition Overlay District shall be five square feet. However,
an additional one square foot of sign area shall be allowed for each
professional office granted a separate use and occupancy certificate
for the converted structure, up to the maximum of three additional
square feet. Such signs shall be limited to six feet in height and
set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front property line. Only one
freestanding sign is permitted on each lot.
(b)
Wall-mount and projecting signs. Wall-mounted and projecting
signs are permitted for any professional office in the Transition
Overlay District in lieu of a freestanding sign. A wall-mounted sign
may be a maximum of five square feet, with one additional square foot
of sign area for each professional office granted separate use and
occupancy, up to a maximum of three additional square feet. A projecting
sign may not exceed five square feet, nor project more than four feet
from the building, and shall have a clearance of eight feet from any
public or private walkway, as measured vertically from the walkway
to the bottom of the sign or supporting structure. No projecting sign
shall be erected at a height exceeding 10 feet, as measured vertically
from the ground to the top of the sign or supporting structure. No
window or part of a window shall be covered by the sign or its supporting
structure. No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend
above the eave of the roof.
(2)
R-2 (Medium-Density Residential). Same as R-1 District, except
that professional home occupation signs shall not exceed three square
feet in area. Professional occupation signs, freestanding, wall-mounted
and projecting signs in the Transition Overlay District may be externally
lit.
(3)
R-3 (High-Density Residential). Same as R-2 District.
(4)
R-O (Residential-Office District). All office buildings, including
conversions, shall be permitted a total advertising area of one square
foot for each lineal foot of building frontage. No additional allowance
will be permitted for multiple-frontage buildings. The maximum sign
area allotment shall not exceed 32 square feet. Signs may only be
externally lit.
(a)
Freestanding sign. The maximum allowable sign area for a freestanding
sign in the R-O District is 16 square feet. Such signs shall be limited
to six feet in height and set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front
property line. Only one freestanding sign is permitted on each lot.
(b)
Wall-mounted and projecting signs. Wall-mounted and projecting
signs are permitted in the R-O District. Wall-mounted signs may not
exceed 16 square feet. A projecting sign may not exceed five square
feet, nor project more than four feet from the building, and shall
have a clearance of eight feet from any public or private walkway,
as measured vertically from the walkway to the bottom of the sign
or supporting structure. No projecting sign shall be erected at a
height exceeding 15 feet, as measured vertically from the ground to
the top of the sign or supporting structure. No window or part of
a window shall be covered by the sign or its supporting structure.
No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend above the
roofline.
(5)
Temporary signs.
[Amended 9-16-2019 by Ord. No. 792-19; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(a)
Signs not exceeding six square feet may be placed on a residentially
zoned lot without permit.
(b)
Temporary signs in the R-O District may be 12 square feet in
area, a maximum of six feet in height and set back no less than 10
feet from the right-of-way for a total of 60 days in a calendar year.
A permit is required from the Zoning Administrator.
(6)
Marquee signs shall be permitted for institutional and governmental
uses in residential districts. The maximum area is limited to 24 square
feet with a height limit of six feet and a setback of 10 feet from
right-of-way. No letters or symbols other than those for which it
was specifically designed to hold shall be permitted to be attached
to a marquee.
B.
Business districts.
(1)
B-1 (Limited Business District). All office buildings, including
conversions, shall be permitted a total advertising area of one square
foot for each lineal foot of building frontage. No additional allowance
will be permitted for multiple-frontage buildings. The maximum sign
area allotment shall not exceed 40 square feet. Signs may only be
internally lit if an opaque sign face is used with cutout translucent
lettering. Projecting signs shall be limited to eight square feet
and wall-mounted signs limited to 24 square feet. The maximum allowable
area for a freestanding sign may not exceed 24 square feet. Such signs
shall be limited to eight feet in height. Only one freestanding sign
is permitted per lot with a setback of 10 feet from right-of-way.
Temporary signs must adhere to requirements in the R-O District.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(2)
B-2 (Central Business District) and B-2A (Central Business Gateway
District). A master signage plan is required for multitenant businesses
to integrate signs, buildings, landscape, architecture and site design.
The plan shall include, as necessary, an accurate plot of the lot,
location of buildings, parking lots, driveways and landscape areas,
along with the height and location of any proposed freestanding sign(s)
as allowed in the zone, and an accurate indication of the proposed
location, color scheme, size and material of each present and future
sign of any type and computation of the maximum total sign area and
the maximum area for each individual sign.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(a)
Advertising area. The total area of all signs erected on the
lot and building shall be determined by the building frontage. A total
advertising area of 1 1/2 square feet for each lineal foot of
primary building frontage shall be allowed. Lots which do not contain
buildings shall be permitted 1/2 square foot for each lineal foot
of road frontage, to a maximum of 32 square feet. Through lots with
frontage along two public rights-of-way or public parking areas are
permitted an additional 1/2 square foot for each lineal foot of rear
lot frontage. The additional sign area may only be applied to the
associated building facade.
[Amended 9-16-2019 by Ord. No. 792-19]
(b)
Types of signs.
Figure 165-106.I
|
[1]
Flat wall-mounted signs. Flat wall-mounted signs, to include
lettering and marquee signs, may be located anywhere on any wall of
a building. Signs may be externally lit or internally lit if an opaque
sign face is used with cutout translucent lettering. No window or
part of a window shall be situated within the area, or surface area,
as defined herein, of such sign or its supporting structure, nor shall
any such sign or part of such sign or its supporting structure cover
any window or part of a window. In the case of a multistory building
which has screening enclosing elevator shafts, stairs, or heating
and air-conditioning units, a flat wall sign may be permitted within
the area of the screening.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
Figure 165-106.II
|
[2]
Projecting signs. One projecting sign may be permitted per building
facade. The sign shall not exceed 20 square feet. No projecting sign
or supporting structure shall project more than four feet from the
wall of a building, nor have less than an eight-foot clearance from
any public or private walkway, as measured vertically from the walkway
to the bottom of the sign or supporting structure. No projecting sign
shall be erected at a height exceeding 15 feet, as measured vertically
from the ground to the top of the sign or supporting structure. No
window or part of a window shall be covered by the sign or its supporting
structure. No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend
above the roofline.
[Amended 9-16-2019 by Ord. No. 792-19]
[3]
Freestanding sign.
[a]
A freestanding sign is permitted if the property
has at least 40 feet of lot frontage or more. The sign shall not exceed
40 square feet. A low silhouette for freestanding signs is encouraged.
Signs may be externally lit or internally lit if an opaque sign face
is used with cutout translucent lettering. Only one freestanding sign
is permitted on each lot. The height of the sign shall be proportional
to the setback in front yard areas and may not exceed a 1:1 ratio.
The side yard setback shall be a minimum of 1/2 the minimum building
setback. Sign height shall be measured from the average contact grade
to the highest point of the sign or supporting structure. Sign allotment
does not include any portion of the sign containing architectural
features or addresses. Signs shall not prohibit or impede visibility
at any ingress/egress location. The maximum height allowed for any
freestanding sign is 15 feet above ground level. Permit requests for
signs over 10 feet in height shall be submitted with engineer-designed
and sealed specifications/drawings.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[c]
Freestanding signs in shopping centers shall be
limited to the following quantity, area and height. No more than two
freestanding signs may be placed on any major road on which the shopping
center fronts. Shopping center freestanding sign area shall be calculated
as part of the overall advertising area permitted for the property.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
|
Gross Floor Area of Shopping Center
(square feet)
|
Total Number of Freestanding Signs
|
Advertising Area per sign
(square feet)
|
Sign Height
(feet)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Less than 100,000
|
1
|
120
|
15
|
|
100,000 to 200,000
|
2
|
140
|
18
|
|
200,001 to 300,000
|
3
|
160
|
18
|
|
300,001 to 400,000
|
4
|
180
|
22
|
|
Greater than 400,000
|
5
|
200
|
22
|
Figure 165-106.III
|
[4]
Temporary signs.
[a]
Noncommercial signs not exceeding eight square
feet may be placed on a commercially zoned lot without permit. Commercial
signs are limited to one sign at any given time.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[b]
Freestanding signs or banners attached to a building
with a maximum advertising area of 24 square feet may be placed for
no more than a total of 60 days per calendar year. A permit is required
from the Zoning Administrator.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[c]
All freestanding temporary signs and banners, with
the exception of sandwich board signs, shall be set back consistent
with the requirements of a permanent freestanding sign and shall have
a maximum height of six feet. A permit is required from the Zoning
Administrator or designee for a sign exceeding eight square feet.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[d]
Temporary sandwich board signs shall be displayed
only during the hours a business is open. Signs may not exceed seven
square feet and may be no more than 3.5 feet in height. Signs must
be in good repair and shall not create a hazard to the public. Signs
shall be located so as not to inhibit the normal flow of pedestrian
or vehicular traffic and placed in front of the specific business
that is being advertised or located within 100 feet from the business
with the written permission of the property owner with abutting right-of-way
frontage. Only one sign is permitted per business. Signs may not be
placed on sidewalks that are less than five feet wide. Signs shall
be constructed of safe, durable materials and be securely erected
so as not to create a hazard to the public.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[e]
Hot and cold air balloons may only be permitted
with the height restricted to 30 feet. No more than one balloon shall
be permitted per tenant per calendar year, and limited to a period
not to exceed 15 consecutive days.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(2)(b)[4][f] and [g], regarding
additional signs, which immediately followed, was repealed 6-5-2023
by Ord. No. 812-23.
[5]
Marquee signs are limited to 24 square feet with a height limit
of six feet and a setback half of the required front yard setback.
No letters or symbols other than those for which it was specifically
designed to hold shall be permitted to be attached to a marquee.
Figure 165-106.IV
|
[6]
Roof signs. No roof-mounted sign or supporting structure shall
extend more than six feet above the parapet wall or roofline of the
building to which it is attached.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[7]
Awning/canopy signs. Such signs are limited to the maximum area
allotted to projecting signs. In no instance shall wording or logos
extend either above or below the canopy/awning.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[8]
Lettered or mounted sign area may be included on entrance gates
or walls.
[9]
Gasoline pricing signs. Each retail service station dealer shall
be permitted one permanent gasoline pricing sign on the premises.
The gasoline pricing sign shall not be included in determining sign
size allocation and shall be permitted in combination with or in addition
to the one freestanding sign per lot permitted in the district. Such
signs shall be permanently installed so as to be readable by the passing
motorist. In no case, however, shall such signs encroach over any
public rights-of-way. LED signs for gas pricing which are operated
by remote control are permitted. LED signs must be stationary and
only used for gasoline prices; no other advertisement is permitted.
(3)
B-3 (General Business District), B-3A (General Business Gateway
District) and M-1 (Industrial District).
(a)
Advertising area. A total advertising area of 2 1/2 square
feet for each lineal foot of primary building frontage shall be allowed.
Lots which do not contain buildings shall be permitted 1/2 square
foot for each lineal foot of road frontage, to a maximum of 36 square
feet. The total area of all signs erected on the lot and building
shall be determined by the primary building frontage. Multitenant
buildings shall be required to submit a comprehensive sign package
for all tenant locations, indicating size, general style, and location
of all proposed building signage, prior to issuance of any sign permits,
in order to ensure compatibility and adequate signage allotment per
tenant.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(b)
Types of signs.
[1]
Flat wall-mounted signs. Flat wall-mounted signs, to include
lettering and track-oriented signs, may be located anywhere on any
wall of a building. Signs may be externally lit or internally lit
if an opaque sign face is used with cutout translucent lettering.
No window or part of a window shall be situated within the area, or
surface area, as defined herein, of such sign or its supporting structure,
nor shall any such sign or part of such sign or its supporting structure
cover any window or part of a window. In the case of a multistory
building which has screening enclosing elevator shafts, stairs, or
heating and air-conditioning units, a flat wall sign may be permitted
within the area of the screening.
[2]
Projecting signs. One projecting sign may be permitted per building.
The sign shall not exceed 20 square feet. No projecting sign or supporting
structure shall project more than four feet from the wall of a building,
nor have less than an eight-foot clearance from any public or private
walkway, as measured vertically from the walkway to the bottom of
the sign or supporting structure. No projecting sign shall be erected
at a height exceeding 15 feet, as measured vertically from the ground
to the top of the sign or supporting structure. No window or part
of a window shall be covered by the sign area or its supporting structure.
No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend above the
roofline.
[3]
Freestanding sign.
[a]
A freestanding sign is permitted if the property
has at least 40 feet of lot frontage or more. This sign shall not
exceed 52 square feet. A low silhouette for freestanding signs is
encouraged. Signs may be externally lit or internally lit if an opaque
sign face is used with cutout translucent lettering. Only one freestanding
sign is permitted on each lot. The front and side yard setback shall
be a minimum of 1/2 the minimum building setback. Sign height shall
be measured to the highest point of the sign or supporting structure.
Sign allotment does not include any portion of the sign containing
architectural features or addresses. Signs shall not prohibit or impede
visibility at any ingress/egress location. The maximum height allowed
for any freestanding sign is 15 feet above the nearest public road
grade. Permit requests for signs over 10 feet in height shall be submitted
with engineer-designed and sealed specifications/drawings.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[b]
Shopping center freestanding signs shall adhere
to requirements outlined in § 165-106B(2)(b)[3][c], for
B2 and B2A Districts. Signs shall be designed to withstand wind loads
in accordance with the currently adopted version of the National Building
Code, with amendments.[3]
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[4]
Temporary signs shall adhere to § 165-106B(2)(b)[4], B-2 and B-2A Districts, with the following exceptions:
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[a]
Noncommercial signs not exceeding eight square
feet may be placed on a commercially zoned property without permit.
Commercial signs are limited to one sign at any given time.
[b]
Freestanding signs or banners attached to a building
with a maximum advertising area of 36 square feet may be placed for
no more than a total of 60 days per calendar year. A permit is required
from the Zoning Administrator.
[5]
Marquee signs shall adhere to § 165-106B(2), B-2 and B-2A Districts.
[6]
Roof signs, awnings/canopy signs shall adhere to § 165-106B(2), B-2 and B-2A Districts.
[7]
Gasoline pricing signs shall adhere to § 165-106B(2), B-2 and B-2A Districts.
[8]
Directory signage. One freestanding directory sign shall be
permitted for each industrial park or multitenant office. The sign
shall not exceed 48 square feet. Freestanding directory signs shall
not exceed eight feet in height and shall be located at the main entrance
to the industrial park. The directory sign shall be compatible in
quality, size, style, color and materials with the industrial park
and shall be located so as to not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular
traffic movement or visibility. Ground spotlighting or backlit lettering
is permitted. Illuminated sign boxes are prohibited. A public directory
sign may be permitted on industrial blocks at the discretion of the
Zoning Administrator.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17; 4-2-2018 by Ord. No. 783-18]
Subject to the other conditions of this Part 3, the following
signs shall be permitted anywhere within the Town:
A.
Temporary signs.
(1)
One temporary residential subdivision identification sign not
exceeding 32 square feet in area and located on the property shall
be permitted for no more than six months without approval by the Zoning
Administrator.
(2)
Any property for sale, for lease or under construction may place
one additional sign not to exceed a total of 24 square feet in a commercial
district or eight square feet in a residential district provided the
signs are located 10 feet from right-of-way and the height is limited
to 10 feet.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(3)
Street banners. Temporary street banners may be erected in compliance
with standards established by the Town, in approved locations in accordance
with the Town banner policy.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(4)
Decorative banners. Temporary decorative banners may be erected
on streetlights in the public right-of-way in accordance with the
Town banner policy and with the approval of the Director of Public
Works to enhance the appearance of commercial districts, celebrate
holidays and special events.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(5)
Promotional banners. Temporary banners may be located on public
buildings or other Town-approved locations in accordance with the
Town banner policy. No commercial advertisement shall be included
on the face of the banner.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(6)
Signs associated with a temporary use permit are regulated by § 165-71.
[Added 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
(7)
Institutional
uses in all districts may place a temporary sign, not exceeding 36
square feet, for no more than 120 consecutive days. Signs shall not
exceed six feet in height and must be set back 10 feet from all property
lines. No more than one temporary sign is permitted on a property
at any given time. A permit is required from the Zoning Administrator.
[Added 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
B.
Permanent identification signs.
(1)
One
sign of a permanent nature setting forth the name of a destination
or community shall be permitted. Such signs shall not exceed 24 square
feet in area and shall not exceed six feet in overall height. Signs
shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet in residential districts and
1/2 of the required front building setback in business/industrial
districts. Signs may only be externally illuminated.
(2)
Signs
for institutional uses located in any district are permitted a total
advertising area of 1.5 square feet per lineal foot of primary road
building frontage. One freestanding sign is permitted with a maximum
area of 36 square feet and a height limit of eight feet. In addition,
one marquee sign is permitted with a maximum area of 24 square feet
and a height limit of six feet. No signs shall be located closer than
10 feet from right-of-way or adjacent property lines. Illumination
is limited to external lighting only except for the marquee sign which
may be internally lit.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
 Figure 165-107.I
|
A.
Double-faced signs. Only one face of a sign having obverse and reverse
faces shall be considered in calculating advertising area. In the
event that the faces of such a sign are of different area, the face
having the larger area shall determine the advertising area of the
sign.
B.
Multifaced or curved surface signs. The advertising area of a multifaced
or curved surface sign shall be calculated from dimensions derived
from its greatest plane projection.
C.
Irregularly shaped signs. The advertising area of irregularly shaped
signs shall be calculated by totaling the area of one or more horizontally
described rectangles completely enclosing the extremities of the sign.
 Figure 165-108.I
|
D.
Tracked, carved or painted signs. The advertising area of a sign
consisting of two or more individual letters, characters, numbers
or other figures shall be determined by the area of a horizontally
described rectangle completely enclosing the extremities of all of
the individual letters, characters, numbers or figures; provided,
however, that if such individual modules are mounted on a background
other than an integral structure component of a building, the entire
area of such a background shall be calculated as advertising area.
E.
Cylindrical signs. The advertising area of cylindrical signs shall
be computed by multiplying 1/2 the circumference of the sign by the
height of the sign.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17]
The following types of signs are exempted from all the provisions
of this Part 3, except for construction and safety regulations and
the following standards. Submission of a sign permit is not required.
A.
Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the furtherance
of a governmental or public interest, such as directional signs, regulatory
signs, warning signs, and informational signs. Public signs shall
not exceed five square feet in area for each sign unless a waiver
is approved by the Zoning Administrator. Horizontal directional signs
on and flush with paved areas are exempt from this size restriction.
All traffic-related signs must meet Maryland Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) Specifications.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
B.
Integral signs. Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental
citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone,
concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other
permanent type of construction and made an integral part of the structure.
C.
Homeowner's identification signs. Signs identifying the name and
address of residents shall not exceed one square foot. Such signs
shall be allowed on mailboxes, but shall otherwise be mounted on the
building.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
D.
Window signs. Temporary signs shall be allowed inside of a window
or interior display of merchandise. The total area of all window signs
shall not exceed 20% of all the window glass area.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
E.
Murals. An artistic representation, sculpture or painting. Any commercial
image, message or advertisement shall be included as part of the sign
square footage.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts and
shall be removed immediately in accordance with this Part 3:
A.
Billboards, a permanent sign including but not limited to all signage
advertising products or services not located on the site upon which
the sign is placed.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
B.
Signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent,
or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
C.
Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal or which contain
the words "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar
words.
D.
Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring,
or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed
as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or
street sign or signal or which obstruct the view in any direction
at a street or road intersection.
E.
Permanent signs which advertise an activity, business, product or
service no longer produced or conducted on the premises on which the
sign is located. Such signs may remain in place for not more than
60 days from the date of vacancy.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
F.
Signs which distract motorists, create disruptive movement or excessive
glare containing or consisting of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners,
strings of light bulbs, rotating signs, flashing lights, searchlights,
windsail signs, LED light signs and electronic reader boards (except
for gasoline signs) or other similar or moving devices including commercial
signs held by pedestrians. These devices, when not part of any sign,
are similarly prohibited.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
H.
Signs which are pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences
or other signs, except those specifically permitted under the provisions
of the Town banner permit policy.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
I.
All signs of a temporary or portable nature, except those specifically
allowed under the provisions of this Part 3.
J.
Signs which produce odor, sound, smoke, fire or other such emissions.
K.
Vehicle signs, signs affixed to automobiles, trucks, trailers or
other vehicles on public or private property for the basic purposes
of advertising, identifying or providing direction to a person, business
or activity not related to the lawful use of the vehicle for delivering
merchandise or rendering service for a use associated with the property
on which it is parked.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
A.
Internally illuminated signs are permitted in the B-1, B-2, B-2A,
B-3, B-3A and M-1 Districts only. If interior lighting is used, sign
face material must be opaque, with no translucent materials other
than individual letters.
B.
The light from any illuminated sign or from any light source, including
interior of a building, shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that
the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding
or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision of operators of
vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways, or parking areas.
Light shall not shine or reflect on or into residential structures.
Illumination projected onto a sign must be confined as completely
as possible to the face of the sign.
C.
No illuminated signs shall cast light to exceed 0.4 maintained footcandle
illumination onto a residential zoning district. All internal illumination
shall not exceed 10 footcandles, measured at a distance of 10 feet
from the sign.
D.
No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other
illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness
or color, or which are so constructed and operated as to create an
appearance or illusion of writing or printing. Nothing contained in
this Part 3 shall, however, be construed as preventing the temporary
use of lights or decorations related to religious, cultural and patriotic
festivities. Beacon lights or searchlights shall not be permitted
as a sign or for advertising purposes.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18; 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
E.
No exposed reflective-type bulbs and no strobe lights or incandescent
lamps which exceed 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface
of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to
any public street or adjacent property.
[Amended 4-2-2018 by Ord.
No. 783-18]
A.
Permit requirements. No sign shall be erected, altered, replaced
or relocated without a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator unless
specifically exempted in this chapter.
[Amended 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 812-23]
B.
Applications. All permit applications 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 or so authorized
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, 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 Town of Bel
Air.
C.
Nullification. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work
for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period
of 12 months after the date of the permit. A permit may be renewed
for a period of six months, and no additional fee shall be collected
for the renewal.
D.
Permit exceptions. The following operations shall not be considered
as creating a sign and shall not require a sign permit:
(1)
Replacing copy: the changing of the advertising copy or message
on marquees and similarly 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 sign structure, unless a structure
or electrical change is made.
E.
Revocation. The Zoning Administrator is hereby authorized and empowered
to revoke any permit issued upon failure of the permittee to comply
with any provision of this chapter.
F.
Fees. Fees for sign permits shall be as established by the Board
of Town Commissioners.
A.
Inspection. Signs for which a permit is required may be inspected
periodically by the Zoning Administrator for compliance with this
chapter.
B.
Maintenance. All signs and components thereof, but not limited to
the sign surface, supporting structure, lighting mechanisms and sign
copy, shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive
condition.
C.
Removal of unsafe or unlawful signs. The Zoning Administrator shall
order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of
this Part 3. In the case of a permanent sign, 10 days' notice, in
writing, shall be given to the owner of such a sign, or of the building,
structure or premises on which such a sign is located, to remove the
sign or to bring it into compliance with this Part 3. All portable
or temporary signs, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings
of light bulbs or other similar or moving devices erected in violation
of this Part 3 shall be removed immediately upon receipt of written
notice from the Zoning Administrator. Upon failure to remove the sign
or to comply with this notice within the time specified, the Zoning
Administrator shall require the sign to be removed. The Zoning Administrator
shall require the sign to be removed 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 Town of Bel Air 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
charges shall be a lien on the property. Notwithstanding the above,
the owner of the sign may file an appeal, in writing, to the Board
of Appeals within 30 days of the date of the violation notice.
D.
Abandoned signs. 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, after notice, fails to remove the sign, the Zoning Administrator
shall require it to be removed in accordance with this Part 3. These
removal provisions shall not apply where a succeeding owner or lessee
conducts the same type of business and agrees to maintain the signs
to advertise the type of business being conducted on the premises
and provided the signs comply with the other provisions of the Town
of Bel Air Development Regulations. A temporary sign shall be deemed
abandoned on and from the seventh consecutive day following the conclusion
of the event or activity to which it pertains. A permanent sign shall
be deemed abandoned on and from the 180th consecutive day after the
enterprise to which it was accessory permanently ceases operation
on the premises on which the sign is located.
A.
All signs or other advertising structures lawfully in existence upon
the effective date of this Part 3, or any applicable amendment thereto,
which, by reason of their size, height, area, location, design or
construction, do not conform to the requirements of this Part 3 shall
constitute nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs that were otherwise
lawful on the effective date of this Part 3, or any applicable amendment
thereto, may be continued if properly repaired and maintained as provided
in this Part 3, until such time as the use is discontinued. A change
in the information on the face of an existing nonconforming sign is
allowed. However, any nonconforming sign shall either be eliminated
or made to conform with the requirements of this Part 3 when any proposed
change, repair or maintenance would constitute a physical change to
the sign box or modification to the support structure. If a change
to the height, location or advertising area reduces the nonconformity
by 50% then a one-time modification to the box or structure may be
permitted.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17]
C.
Administration and penalties.
(1)
The decision of the Zoning Administrator denying an application
for a sign permit or requiring a sign to be removed, relocated or
altered may be appealed by the sign owner or the owner of the property
upon which the sign is located. An appeal is taken by filing a notice
of appeal, in writing, to the Board of Appeals within 30 days of the
date of the decision of the Zoning Administrator.
(2)
Violations and penalties.
(a)
Whenever the provisions of this Part 3 have been violated, the
Zoning Administrator shall give notice by first-class mail to the
owner and occupant of the property alleged to be in violation, stating
the nature of the violation and ordering that any unlawful activity
be abated.
(b)
Any property owner or occupant of the property who permits the use of land, building or structures contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $400 for each violation, in accordance with Chapter 1, Article II, § 1-10, of the Town Code.
