Worcester County, MD Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Worcester County Code § ZS 1-324(e)(2) sets the brightness rules for electronic messaging signs in unincorporated Worcester County. An electronic messaging sign must not exceed a maximum illumination of five thousand nits during daylight hours and a maximum of five hundred nits between dusk to dawn, measured from the sign's face at maximum brightness. It must have an automatic dimmer control that produces a distinct change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the period between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise.

The same subsection requires that the display not change in illumination intensity except when switching to another message, requires a default mechanism that freezes the image on a malfunction, and bans audio speakers and pyrotechnics. Only one electronic messaging sign is allowed per parcel or lot. Subsection (h) covers every other sign, except as provided in subsection (e). Under (h)(2), light directed on or internal to any sign must be shaded, shielded or directed so that its intensity or brightness does not adversely affect surrounding or adjoining premises or the night sky, nor the safe vision of motor vehicle operators, and light cannot shine or reflect on or into residential structures.

The same paragraph bars any fixture projecting light at an angle greater than forty-five degrees above the horizontal unless the Technical Review Committee or Planning Commission approves it. Subsection (h)(1) prohibits signs illuminated by any flashing light, electronic change in message, background color, light intensity or electronic video display, with exceptions for highway public service information and time, date and temperature. Subsection (a) adds that sign lighting cannot be flashing, rotating or animated, cannot shine directly onto any lot in the A, E, V, R or RP Districts, and cannot cause pollution of the night sky. Billboard-specific rules are on the digital billboards page. Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke City have separate codes.