Howard County, MD Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Shading requirement
- no glare onto neighbors or drivers
- Residential light
- may not shine into residences at all
- Blinking/flashing
- prohibited (Downtown Columbia digital signs excepted)
- Bulb wattage limit
- 15 watts for exposed strobe/incandescent bulbs
- Variance
- Board of Appeals may allow date/time/temp displays
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Inspections, Licenses and Permits
Summary
Illuminated signs and billboards in Howard County must be shaded or shielded so the light does not shine into residential structures or blind drivers, per Code § 3.508. Blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights are banned outright, and exposed strobe or incandescent bulbs over 15 watts cannot be used on a sign's exterior.
(a)Shading. The light from any illuminated sign or billboard or from any light source, including interior of a building, shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways or parking areas. Light shall not shine or reflect on or into residential structures.(b)Blinking or Flashing. Except as provided in section 3.502A of this subtitle, a sign shall not have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light operated as to create an appearance or illusion of writing or printing...Beacon lights or search lights shall not be permitted as a sign for advertising purposes.(c)Strobe and Incandescent Lamps. No exposed reflective type bulbs and no strobe lights or incandescent lamps which exceed 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
508 sets the illumination standard that applies to every illuminated sign and billboard in the County, not just those in Downtown Columbia. Subsection (a) requires that light from any illuminated sign, billboard, or other light source be shaded, shielded, or directed so its brightness does not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises and does not interfere with the safe vision of drivers on public or private roads or in parking areas; the code is explicit that light cannot shine or reflect onto or into a residential structure at all.
502A. A variance from the Board of Appeals can permit a changing display limited strictly to date, time, and temperature information. Religious and patriotic lighting displays are excluded from the ban, but beacon lights or search lights used for advertising are never permitted. Subsection (c) targets bulb type directly: no exposed reflective bulbs, and no strobe lights or incandescent lamps exceeding 15 watts, may be used on a sign's exterior surface where the bulb, light, or lamp face is visible from a public street or adjacent property.
Violations & Fines
A sign or billboard illuminated in violation of section 3.508 is subject to removal by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits after ten days' written notice under subsection 3.511(d), and the Department may remove it immediately without notice if it presents a safety hazard. Violations are misdemeanors carrying a $250 to $500 fine under subsection 3.512(c)(1), or may be charged as a Class C civil offense with each day of continued illumination treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business have a flashing sign in Howard County?
How bright can an illuminated sign be near a home?
Are strobe lights allowed on a business sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
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