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Annapolis, MD Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Max sign area
2 square feet
Max sign height
15 feet
Corner lots
second sign facing other street
Setback
5 feet from neighboring zoning lot
Permit
sign permit required before installing

Summary

Annapolis limits home-based professional office or studio signs to one two-square-foot sign per lot (two on corner lots), capped at fifteen feet high and set back at least five feet from any other zoning lot line.

5.Professional Office or Studio Signs.a.One sign per lot is permitted; except, that on a corner lot, two signs, one facing each street, are permitted.b.Maximum area: two square feet.c.Maximum height: fifteen feet.d.No sign may be closer than five feet to any other zoning lot.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

A home-based professional office or studio in an Annapolis residential zoning district can put up one identification sign, capped at two square feet and fifteen feet in height; corner lots get a second sign facing the other street. The sign can't sit closer than five feet to a neighboring zoning lot, can't project past the property line into a public way, and can be lit only by external means, such as a spotlight. A sign permit from the Planning and Zoning Director is required first under § 21.70.020.

Violations & Fines

Erecting or displaying a sign that violates the Zoning Code is a misdemeanor under § 21.36.030, punishable by a fine set by the City Council; the Director of Planning and Zoning can also order corrective measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put up a sign for my home business in Annapolis?
Yes: a professional office or studio sign is allowed, but it's capped at two square feet, up to 15 feet high, and needs a sign permit from the Planning and Zoning Director first.
Do corner lots get an extra sign?
Yes, a second two-square-foot sign facing the other street is permitted on corner lots under § 21.70.070(B)(5).

Sources & Official References

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