Harford County, MD Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Code of Harford County § 267-33B(7) limits billboards to the General Industrial (GI) District and sets firm distance rules keyed to highways and sensitive uses. No billboard may be erected within 660 feet of any highway that is part of the interstate highway system, a buffer aimed squarely at freeway-facing advertising along I-95 and other interstate corridors through the county. Separately, no billboard may go up within 750 feet of any residence, historic structure or building, public square, or the entrance to a public park, school, library or church, and every billboard must observe the front-yard setback that would apply to a principal building in its zoning district.

Near intersections, a billboard cannot be erected within 100 feet of a road intersection unless its base sits at least 10 feet above ground or road surface, whichever is higher, addressing sight-distance safety at freeway ramps and interchanges. New billboards are barred entirely from the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor and the Edgewood Neighborhood Overlay District regardless of the highway-distance math. On top of placement, § 267-33B(7)(c) and (d) cap billboard height at 30 feet from road grade and area at 300 square feet, and § 267-33B(6) requires billboards to carry height-appropriate landscaping.

A billboard limited to one per parcel under § 267-33B(7)(b) that ceases advertising or falls into disrepair for 3 months is deemed abandoned and must be dismantled within 90 days of notice from the Director of Planning.