Sign Regulations in Howard County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Howard County allows political campaign signs up to nine square feet total per premises in residential districts and 32 square feet in commercial or industrial districts. Signs must be on private property, at least 15 feet from pavement, and may be displayed 60 days before through 7 days after the
Political Signs: 9 Sq Ft Residential, Private Property Only
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.503(f) (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 district and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial district. These signs shall be located only on private property...
Garage Sale Signs
Howard County's sign code has no special garage-sale sign category. Signs placed in County rights-of-way or attached to utility poles or trees are prohibited and may be removed. A garage-sale sign on your own private property follows the single-family residential sign standards.
No Garage-Sale Signs in Rights-of-Way or on Poles
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.505(a) (Prohibited signs)
The following signs are prohibited... Signs which are placed on a County right-of-way, except signs permitted pursuant to section 3.505A of this subtitle... Signs which are posted or otherwise attached to utility poles or trees.
Digital Billboards
Digital displays are allowed only in Downtown Columbia under Howard County Code § 3.502A, capped at 150 square feet, changing images no more than once every two minutes between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., and required to auto-dim to 500 nits after dusk. They cannot carry audio or advertise off-site businesses without Planning Board approval.
Digital Signs Limited to 150 Sq Ft, Columbia
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.502A (Digital Displays in Downtown Columbia)
(a)Digital Displays. In Downtown Columbia, digital displays are allowed notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle subject to the requirements set forth in this section.(b)...(1)The maximum size of each digital display shall not exceed 150 square feet;...(3)Each digital display shall display an image that changes no more frequently than every two minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m...
Window Signs
Howard County lets a business post unlimited interior window signs, but their combined area cannot exceed 20 percent of the window glass on that side of the building. An extra 20 percent is allowed on a temporary basis, plus another 10 percent temporarily for nonprofit messages. Illuminated window signs still need a permit.
Howard County Caps Window Signs at 20%
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.502(d) (Window Signs)
(d)Window Signs. There shall be no limit to the number of such signs; provided, however, that the total area of all window signs shall not exceed 20 percent of the window glass area, which shall be calculated separately for each side of the building. An additional 20 percent of the window area may be used on a temporary basis. An additional ten percent of the window area may be used on a tempor...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Howard County keeps freeway-facing billboards out of most of the county: they are permitted only as temporary, special-permit uses on unimproved industrial land, and must sit at least 660 feet from any interstate right-of-way, 100 feet from any property line, and 200 feet from any other street or road, under Code § 3.507.
Billboards Must Sit 660 Feet From Interstates
Significant RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.507(a)-(b) (Billboards; Location)
(a)General. Outdoor advertising structures, billboards and poster panels (referred to as billboards), which advertise products or businesses not connected with the site on which they are located, shall be permitted only as temporary uses on unimproved property in industrial or manufacturing districts. Erection of billboards may be authorized only by a special permit issued by the Board of Appea...
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