Annapolis's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Annapolis, Maryland, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Political Signs
Annapolis exempts political signs from permits as temporary signs, capped at 32 square feet, displayed no more than 60 days, and removed within 7 days after the event ends.
Key details: Maximum size: 32 square feet. Display period: Up to 60 days. Removal deadline: Within 7 days after event. Illumination: Not permitted.
Signs over 32 square feet, illuminated signs, signs left up past 60 days or not pulled within 7 days after the event, or signs projecting into the public way lose the permit exemption under § 21.70.060 and require a sign permit under Chapter 21.70.
Digital Billboards
Annapolis prohibits billboards outright, along with animated and flashing signs, closing off any path to a digital or electronic billboard display in every zoning district citywide.
Key details: Billboards: Prohibited citywide, all districts. Animated/flashing signs: Also prohibited outright. Permit path: None: no variance available. Governing section: Annapolis City Code § 21.70.040. In force since: 2005 zoning code (Ord. O-1-04).
Erecting a prohibited sign, including a billboard, without a valid permit is a zoning violation; the Director of Planning and Zoning can order removal and deny any permit application outright.
Compared to other cities, Annapolis takes a harder line on digital billboards. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Window Signs
In Annapolis, window signs displaying merchandise, services, or matters of public interest inside a structure are exempt from the city's sign permit requirement, provided they aren't illuminated.
Key details: Governing section: Annapolis City Code § 21.70.060(B)(5). Permit required: No, if bona fide and unilluminated. Illumination: Not permitted for this exempt category. Area cap: None specified: content test, not size. Enforcing agency: Director of Planning and Zoning.
Displaying an illuminated window sign, or one unrelated to on-site merchandise/services or public interest, forfeits the exemption and requires a Chapter 17.60 sign permit from the Director of Planning and Zoning before installation.
Annapolis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to window signs. That said, there are still limits.
Garage Sale Signs
Garage and yard sale signs need no City permit in Annapolis, but they can't be illuminated or project past the property line into the street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way.
Key details: Permit: Not required: exempt sign category. Illumination: Not permitted. Placement: Cannot project into public right-of-way. Governing chapter: Ch. 21.70, Exempt Signs.
No garage-sale-sign violation is separately penalized; sign-code breaches fall under Annapolis's general code violation rule (Chapter 1.20), punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months' imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense.
The rules around garage sale signs in Annapolis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Annapolis gives residents more room on sign regulations. 2 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.
All of the above reflects Annapolis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.