Anne Arundel County, MD Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum cycle time
- 5 seconds per message
- Historic properties
- Electronic boards barred entirely
- Scenic road standard
- Must meet §§ 17-6-501, 17-6-504
- First-offense fine
- $125 civil fine (§ 18-17-203)
- Sign permit
- Dept. of Inspections and Permits
Summary
Electronic message boards are allowed alongside permitted signs in Anne Arundel County if each message displays for at least five seconds, with added restrictions near historic sites and scenic roads.
Except for properties listed on the County Inventory of Historic Resources, electronic message boards may be used in conjunction with allowed signs if the message is on a cycle of not less than five seconds. Electronic message boards shall comply with the provisions of §§ 17-6-501 and 17-6-504 of this Code and may not adversely affect properties listed on the County Inventory of Historic Resources or on a scenic and historic road. The placement of an electronic message board within sight of a property listed on the County Inventory of Historic Resources or on a scenic and historic road shall mitigate any adverse visual impact of the electronic message board in a manner determined by the Office of Planning and Zoning.
(f) Color of freestanding signs. The parts of a freestanding sign that do not contain sign area, such as the back, braces, and supports, shall be of a single color.
(g) Display windows. For a commercial operation, an advertising sign commonly used in a retail business may be in a display window if the sign does not occupy more than 30% of the window area.
(h) Responsible party. The person or organization that is the subject of a sign shall be presumed to be the party that erected the sign. (Bill No. 4-05; Bill No. 78-05; Bill No. 92-13)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Anne Arundel County Code § 18-3-301(e) permits electronic message boards only alongside an otherwise-allowed sign, and only if each displayed message holds for a minimum of five seconds: no rapid flipping or scrolling text. The boards must also comply with the county's scenic and historic road standards in §§ 17-6-501 and 17-6-504, and are barred entirely on properties listed on the County Inventory of Historic Resources. Near any historic-inventory property or scenic and historic road, the Office of Planning and Zoning can require mitigation for any adverse visual impact before installation.
Violations & Fines
Zoning violations, including illegal signage, draw a $125 civil fine for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for any later violation, enforced by the Office of Planning and Zoning under § 18-17-203.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an electronic message board on my business sign in Anne Arundel County?
Do digital signs near scenic roads face extra rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.