Showing ordinances that apply to Wheaton, MD
Wheaton is an unincorporated community (population 52,150) in Montgomery County, Maryland. Because Wheaton is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Montgomery County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The signage rules rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Montgomery County prohibits external signage for home occupations under Zoning Ordinance Ch 59, Section 3.3.3. No signs advertising a home business may be displayed on the property, vehicles parked at the residence, or in the yard. Sign regulations are enforced through DPS code compliance.
Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance Ch 59, Section 3.3.3 explicitly prohibits any exterior signage indicating the operation of a home occupation. This includes signs on the building facade, in windows visible from outside, on fences, in the yard, or on mailboxes. Magnetic or removable signs on vehicles parked at the residence that advertise the business are also considered violations if regularly displayed. The Sign Ordinance (Ch 59, Division 6.7) reinforces this prohibition for residential zones. No temporary signs, banners, A-frames, or illuminated displays are permitted for home-based businesses. Business nameplates on the front door that are visible from the street may trigger enforcement. The intent is to preserve residential neighborhood character with no external evidence of commercial activity. Commercial vehicles with business lettering may park at the residence (one vehicle under 10,000 lbs) but the vehicle itself is not considered a sign. DPS Code Compliance handles sign violation complaints. Political signs and real estate signs have separate, more permissive rules under Ch 59, Division 6.7 and are not affected by home occupation restrictions.
Sign violation notice: 10 days to remove. Failure to remove: $100 per day civil citation. Repeated signage violations may trigger review of home occupation registration. Illuminated signs: immediate removal order.
See how Wheaton's signage rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.