[Added 5-9-2011 by Ord. No. 150]
These regulations shall be known as the "Sign Regulations for
the Town of Leonardtown, Maryland," and shall apply to all zoning
districts in the incorporated areas of the Town. These regulations
shall be extended to all subsequent areas and to all subsequent zoning
districts in the Town. These regulations shall supplement and accompany
the Town of Leonardtown Zoning Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See the remainder of this chapter.
The purpose of these regulations shall be to control the erection,
use and location of all signs in the Town of Leonardtown in order
to preserve the character of the Town and to protect the public welfare
of all Town residents.
Certain words and phrases used herein shall be defined as follows:
Any sign or advertisement, including all outdoor advertising
structures, used as an outdoor display of information, directing attention
to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or other activity,
the origin or point of sale of which is remote from such billboard.
A sign which directs attention to a business, product, service,
profession, activity or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon
the premises where such sign is located.
The surface area of a sign shall be calculated by enclosing
the extreme limits of all framing, emblem, logo, representation, writing,
or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of
square or rectangles with no more than eight lines. Examples of calculating
sign area:
 |
A sign which is affixed to the ground or a sign attached
to a flat surface, such as a fence or wall, not a part of a building.
Any sign, display or device that changes its message or copy
by programmable electronic, digital or mechanical processes.
To build, attach, hand, place, suspend, paint or affix.
Any sign attached to, supported by, painted on, or erected
parallel to any wall of a building.
A permanent, freestanding sign mounted on an enclosed base
and where the bottom edge of the sign face is in continuous contact
with the structural base.
Any sign erected or maintained and supported by two or more uprights placed in the ground and not attached to a building. (See § 155-93D for height, size, and setback requirements.)
Any sign (business, detached, flat wall, ground, marquee,
pole, projecting, roof, temporary) directly or indirectly lighted
by artificial light and in the Commercial General, Commercial Highway
and Commercial Marine Districts only.
Any sign attached to or hung from a marquee, a covered structure
projecting from and supported by a building with independent roof
and drainage provisions, erected over a doorway or doorways as protection
from the weather.
A sign supported by a single or double upright pole placed in the ground and not attached to a building. (See § 155-93G for height, size, and setback requirements.)
Any sign, more than 12 inches thick or other than a flat
wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building
or structure.
A sign located on or above the roof of any building.
An identification, description, illustration or device, which
is located on any land, building, window or indoors, directing attention
to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business.
Any sign erected for a short period of time only, with the
time limit to be fixed by these regulations. Temporary signs are those
such as but not limited to signs announcing real estate sales, election
notices and posters, construction work, or gas station and retail
product sales.
The following types of signs shall be exempt from the registration
and permit requirements of these regulations, so long as they shall
meet structural and safety provisions of the Town Building Code:[1]
B.
Signs erected on church property, giving the name of the church,
the time of service and similar information, not to exceed 30 square
feet in area.
C.
Signs of charitable, benevolent or religious associations, or fraternal
or nonprofit associations, located on the premises or grounds, to
display the name of the institution or association and its activities
or services, not to exceed 10 square feet in area.
D.
Professional signs denoting the name and profession or calling of
persons pursuing livelihoods such as but not limited to dentist, minister,
teacher, lawyer or physician, with such signs being the size and type
permitted by the ethical standards of the profession or calling and
in no case exceeding two square feet in area.
E.
Directional signs, giving directions to motorists to parking areas
or into or within a private premises, not to exceed eight square feet
in area.
The following general provisions of these regulations shall
apply to all signs erected in Leonardtown:
A.
No sign shall be erected at or near street intersections, so as to
permit free and clear vision.
B.
All signs shall avoid the shape of authorized traffic signs and shall
not use the words "stop," "look," "danger" or any other similar words
that might interfere with or confuse traffic.
C.
All fire escapes, fire windows and fire doors shall be free of any
signs other than those announcing the safety function of such stairs,
windows and doors.
D.
The erection of banners across any street shall be on a temporary
basis only and only at the approval of the Town Commissioners.
E.
All signs shall be kept in good repair.
G.
No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure
any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
H.
Roof signs shall be prohibited.
I.
Except as otherwise noted, all signs shall meet the setback requirements
in each district for all other structures or buildings in that district.
J.
Except as otherwise noted, where a building or structure has multiple
frontages, the number of signs permitted for a single frontage shall
also be permitted for the additional frontage or frontages.
The following regulations shall apply to signs erected in the
Single-Family Residential (R-SF), PUD-3, PUD-5, and Multiple-Family
(R-MF) Residential Districts, as defined in this chapter:
A.
Permitted signs in the R-SF, PUD-3 and PUD-5 Districts shall be:
(1)
Two single-family residential name signs per dwelling, each sign
not to exceed two square feet in area.
(2)
Two business (professional occupation) signs, either flat wall signs,
ground signs, or pole signs, per dwelling, each sign not to exceed
two square feet in area.
(3)
One street address sign per dwelling, not to exceed two square feet
in area.
(4)
In a PUD-3 or PUD-5, if a business use is permitted, two business
signs, each sign not to exceed two square feet in area.
B.
Permitted signs in the R-MF District shall be:
C.
A sign limited to 10 square feet in area to identify the name of
a subdivision or planned unit development shall be allowed.
D.
All signs shall be set back at least six feet from the nearest property
line and at a height not over five feet from the ground.
E.
All signs shall indicate only the name, address and occupation, if
located on the premises, of the occupant.
F.
These regulations shall apply to detached signs and to signs that
consist of lettering and/or numbers that are raised from or directly
applied to the building or structure.
The following regulations shall apply to signs erected in the
General Commercial (C-G), Commercial Office (C-O), Marine Commercial
(C-M), and Highway Commercial (C-H) Districts:
A.
Billboards.
(1)
Billboards and all other outdoor advertising structures shall be
prohibited in all districts.
B.
Business signs.
(1)
Business signs shall be permitted in the R-1 District where a business
is permitted as an accessory use, in the PUD-3 and PUD-5 Districts
where a business use is permitted, and in all commercial districts.
(2)
Business signs in the residential districts shall have a maximum
area of two square feet, shall be placed at least six feet from the
lot line and shall not exceed a height of five feet from the ground.
(3)
All business signs in commercial districts shall meet the requirements
pertaining to that specific type of business sign.
C.
Flat wall signs.
(1)
These regulations for flat wall signs shall pertain to the C-G, G-O, C-M and C-H Districts only. Regulations for flat wall business signs permitted in the residential districts are contained in § 155-91 preceding.
(2)
Flat wall signs may be located anywhere on any wall of a building,
except above the first floor. No sign or section of a sign or its
supporting structure shall cover any window or part of a window.
(3)
Each principal use in any building or on any lot may have a sign
or signs having a total area of not over 100 square feet for each
building or street frontage, provided that, on buildings or lots having
frontages greater than 50 feet, the maximum sign area may be increased
one square foot for each linear foot of building frontage over 50
feet.
(4)
Flat wall signs shall not extend more than 18 inches from the wall
of a building on which they are erected.
D.
Ground signs.
(1)
Ground signs shall be permitted in all districts. The size, height and setback requirements for ground signs in residential districts are given in § 155-91 preceding.
(2)
In commercial districts, there shall be only one ground sign allowed
per lot, regardless of the number of street frontages of that lot.
A double-faced sign shall be considered one sign.
(3)
The height of all ground signs in commercial districts shall not
exceed eight feet above the level of the street upon which the sign
faces or eight feet above the natural grade level of the property
on which the sign is located, whichever is higher.
(4)
In commercial districts, the area of all ground signs shall not exceed
32 square feet.
(5)
No part of any ground sign shall extend beyond a property line, building
restriction line or right-of-way line.
(6)
Ground signs shall be permitted only on lots with a minimum of 40
linear feet of street frontage.
(7)
Supports for all ground signs shall be those permitted and prescribed
by standard engineering practice. Wood supports shall be treated against
moisture.
(8)
No ground sign shall be closer than two feet from a building.
E.
Illuminated signs.
(1)
Illuminated signs shall be permitted in the C-G, C-M and C-H Districts
only.
(2)
The illumination of any sign or outdoor advertising structure shall
be designed so as not to shine or reflect light into residential structures.
The light intensity or brightness shall be shaded, shielded or directed
so that it will not adversely affect surroundings or facing premises
or affect the safe vision of motorists.
(3)
The height of all ground signs in commercial districts shall not
exceed eight feet above the level of the street upon which the sign
faces or eight feet above the natural grade level of the property
on which the sign is located, whichever is higher.
(4)
In commercial districts, the area of all ground signs shall not exceed
32 square feet.
(5)
No part of any ground sign shall extend beyond a property line, building
restriction line or right-of-way line.
(6)
Ground signs shall be permitted only on lots with a minimum of 40
linear feet of street frontage.
(7)
Supports for all ground signs shall be those permitted and prescribed
by standard engineering practice. Wood supports shall be treated against
moisture.
(8)
No ground sign shall be closer than two feet from a building.
(9)
No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other
illuminating devices which change light intensity, brightness or color.
A variance may be granted by the Zoning Board for signs having moving
devices to show the time, temperature and date only. Beacon lights
or searchlights shall not be permitted for any advertising or sign
purpose.
F.
Marquee signs.
(1)
Marquee signs shall be permitted in the C-G, C-H and C-M Districts
only.
(2)
Signs may be placed on the vertical faces of a marquee or may project
below the lower edge of a marquee not more than 24 inches. The bottom
of a sign placed on a marquee may be no less than eight feet above
the sidewalk or grade. No part of the sign shall project above the
top of the marquee.
(3)
A variance to grant that signs may be placed on a marquee which projects
over any public right-of-way may be granted for theater marquees.
G.
H.
Projecting signs.
(1)
Projecting signs shall be permitted in the C-G, C-H and C-M Districts
only.
(2)
All projecting signs shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
The area of all projecting signs shall not exceed 15 square
feet.
(b)
All projecting signs shall be made of sheet metal or other noncombustible
material.
(c)
No projecting sign shall extend above the roofline, except,
that a vertical sign projecting not more than four feet six inches
from the building line may extend upward not to exceed 10 feet above
the roofline. The portion extending above the roofline shall be securely
fastened to an angle-ironed frame so constructed that it will not
constitute a menace to persons or property.
(d)
Every projecting sign shall be constructed and braced to withstand
a horizontal wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds for every square
foot of surface exposed and shall be securely attached to the building
wall in an approved manner.
(e)
No projecting sign shall extend more than four feet six inches
from the building line, including attachment irons and the like, unless,
such sign is less than four feet six inches in height, in which case
the maximum projection shall be six feet six inches from the building
line.
(f)
No projecting sign shall project nearer the curbline than two
feet.
(g)
No projecting sign shall extend downward nearer than eight feet
to the ground or pavement.
I.
Electronic or digital signs.
(1)
Electronic or digital signs shall be permitted only along Route 5
(Point Lookout Road). Such signs, located within 100 feet of residential
properties, shall be permitted only after a public hearing at a planning
and zoning meeting, notification of surrounding neighbors by certified
mail and newspaper notice, and approval by the Planning and Zoning
Board.
[Amended 1-13-2014 by Ord. No. 163]
(2)
Electronic or digital signs shall be limited to ground monument signs
only, and shall be subject to the yard or setback requirements of
the zone district in which they are located. The maximum height allowed
for the entire sign, including the base of the sign, shall be eight
feet from grade. Within the eight feet, the maximum height of the
LED portion of the sign face cannot exceed four feet.
[Amended 1-13-2014 by Ord. No. 163]
(3)
All electronic or digital signs shall be subject to the following
limitations, standards and requirements:
(a)
Such technology shall be programmed so that the message or image
on the sign changes no more often than once every 10 seconds.
(b)
There shall be no effects of movement, blinking, animation,
scrolling, flashing, or similar effects in the individual images.
(c)
Changes of image shall be instantaneous as seen by the human
eye and shall not use blinking, fading, rolling, shading, or similar
effects as part of the change. This restriction shall not prohibit
the dissolving or replacing of one image with another image.
(d)
Animation and sound shall be prohibited.
(e)
No changing sign shall include animated, flashing, full-motion
video, shimmering, or other intermittent elements. The transition
period between two fully illuminated static message displays in an
electronically changed sign shall not be considered an intermittent
element as long as the purpose of the changing light intensity is
to fade or dissolve into the next message.
(f)
Copy (lettering) shall be limited to a single color with a contrasting
background.
(g)
An electronic or digital sign shall not exceed 50% of the total
allowable sign face in the district, and in no case shall it exceed
24 square feet of sign face.
(h)
Video technology in signs shall use automatic level controls
to reduce light levels at night and under cloudy and other darkened
conditions, in accordance with the following:
[1]
All electronic, digital, or video display unit signs shall have
installed ambient light monitors and shall at all times allow such
monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the sign
based on ambient light conditions.
[2]
Maximum brightness levels for electronic, digital, or video
display signs shall not exceed 5,000 nits, when measured from the
signs face at its maximum brightness, during daylight hours.
[3]
Maximum brightness levels for electronic, digital, or video
display signs shall not exceed 500 nits, when measured from the signs
face at its maximum brightness, between sunset and sunrise, as those
times are determined by the National Weather Service.
[4]
Written certification from the sign manufacturer must be provided
at the time of application for a building permit certifying that the
light intensity of the sign has been preset not to exceed the illumination
levels established by this article and that the preset intensity level
is protected from end user manipulation by password-protected software
or other approved method.
(i)
Video technology in signs shall contain a default design that
will freeze the device and message in one position with no more than
a maximum illumination of 500 nits if a malfunction occurs.
(j)
No electronic, digital, or video display message shall be mounted,
affixed or attached to any vehicle, motor vehicle or trailer. This
prohibition shall include vehicles, motor vehicles or trailers designed,
built, or used specifically for mobile advertising.
(k)
All electronic moving message/digital display signs, and parts
thereof, shall be securely constructed and erected or attached in
conformance with applicable Town codes and shall have a surface or
facing of materials which are durable for the intended life of the
sign.
J.
Removal of illegal signs.
(1)
The Town of Leonardtown, by and through the Town Administrator, may
authorize the removal and storage of any illegally placed or unpermitted
signs, banners, flags, etc., located within the Town limits.
(2)
Prior to said removal, the Town Administrator shall have notices
mailed to offending sign owners at least five business days before
removal.
(3)
After removal, illegal signs shall be stored within the Town limits
for a period of not less than 30 days. After 30 days, such signs will
be disposed of.
(4)
The owner of an illegal sign may reclaim such sign after paying a
storage and removal fee of $50 to the Town of Leonardtown.
(5)
Second offenses. For a second offense by the same sign owner of an
illegally placed sign, banner, flag, etc., within the Town limits,
fines shall be imposed as follows: $100 per incident, per day.
The following provisions shall apply to all temporary signs
erected in the Town of Leonardtown:
A.
Temporary real estate signs.
(1)
In any district, one temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 24
square feet in area and located on the property, shall be allowed
for each lot, parcel or tract for sale. If the lot or parcel in question
has multiple frontages, one additional twenty-four-square-foot sign
shall be allowed.
(2)
In any district, one temporary real estate sign not exceeding 60
square feet in area, located within the subdivision advertised, shall
be allowed.
(3)
One temporary, nonilluminated sign may be erected near each major
intersection to the subdivision, with a total of four such signs permitted.
Such approach signs shall show a direction arrow, the name of the
subdivision and the name of the developer or seller. These signs shall
be not more than three feet long and one foot high. The top of the
sign shall extend no more than eight feet above grade.
(4)
Permits for such temporary real estate signs shall be issued for
a period of six months and may be renewed.
B.
Other temporary signs.
(1)
Temporary signs indicating an event of public interest, such as a
county fair, horse show, church fair, party, bazaar, dinner etc.,
shall be located on the site of the event. Such sign shall not exceed
32 square feet in area and may be illuminated, but any illumination
thereof shall not be flashing or colored, and illumination shall be
confined to the face of the sign. Permits for such signs shall be
issued for a period of 30 days only.
(2)
Temporary directional signs showing a directional arrow and the name
of an event of public interest shall be allowed. Such signs shall
not be in excess of three square feet in area and may be placed in
any district. Permits for such signs shall be issued for the duration
of the event only.
A.
Nonconforming signs are those which were erected prior to the enactment
of these regulations and do not now conform to the provisions of these
regulations. Such nonconforming signs may be continued if properly
maintained or repaired.
B.
Nonconforming signs which are structurally altered, relocated or
replaced shall immediately comply with all provisions of these regulations.
A.
No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated without a permit issued
by the Town. All illuminated signs shall require a separate electrical
inspection and permit. Within six months of the effective date of
these regulations, permit applications for all existing signs shall
be submitted, whether or not a permit had been previously issued.
C.
All persons, firms, or organizations erecting or maintaining a billboard
or other outdoor advertising structure shall file evidence of public
liability insurance protecting them against claims or judgments of
at least $10,000 and $100,000 for property damage.
D.
A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the
permit was issued has not been completed within six months after the
date of the permit. A permit may be renewed, with no additional fee.
E.
Permit fees shall be determined by the Town Commissioners.
F.
Any signs not expressly permitted shall be prohibited.
