Sign Regulations in Washington County, MD (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Political Signs

Washington County lets residents put up election signs without a zoning permit, imposing only one condition: the sign cannot interfere with traffic visibility, unlike other no-permit signs on the same list, which do carry size or duration caps.

Election Sign Rules in Washington County, MD

Few Restrictions

Washington County Zoning Ordinance § 22.21(g)

Section 22.21 Signs Permitted Without Zoning Permits The following signs are permitted without zoning permit in any district provided the following conditions are adhered thereto. ... (g) Election signs, provided the signs do not interfere with traffic visibility.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Freeway-Facing Signs

Washington County bans new outdoor advertising signs entirely within 1,000 feet of nine named highway corridors, including I-81, US 40, US 340 and MD 68, and caps every legal billboard at 300 square feet per face, 600 cumulative, and 30 feet in height.

Highway Billboard Rules in Washington County, MD

Significant Restrictions

Washington County Zoning Ordinance § 22.24(c)

2. An Outdoor Advertising Sign may not be erected in the following locations: i. Outside of the urban or town growth area boundaries as established in the Comprehensive Plan for Washington County as amended from time to time. ii. Within 1,000 feet, measured from the centerline of the road, of the following corridors: a. U.S. Route 40 and MD 144 (National Pike)... iii. In residential zoned areas...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Washington County ordinances

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