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

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Corridor setback: 1,000 ft from 9 named highways
Max face area: 300 sq ft (600 cumulative)
Max height: 30 feet
Spacing between billboards: 500 feet minimum
Permitted zoning districts: BL, BG, HI, PI, IR, IG

Summary

Washington County bans new outdoor advertising signs entirely within 1,000 feet of nine named highway corridors, including I-81, US 40, US 340 and MD 68, and caps every legal billboard at 300 square feet per face, 600 cumulative, and 30 feet in height.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

2. An Outdoor Advertising Sign may not be erected in the following locations: i. Outside of the urban or town growth area boundaries as established in the Comprehensive Plan for Washington County as amended from time to time. ii. Within 1,000 feet, measured from the centerline of the road, of the following corridors: a. U.S. Route 40 and MD 144 (National Pike)... iii. In residential zoned areas including RT, RS, RU, RM, and MX. ... 4. No Outdoor Advertising Sign face shall exceed 300 square feet. Cumulative sign area shall not exceed 600 square feet. ... 6. No Outdoor Advertising Sign shall be greater than thirty (30) feet in height.

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Full Breakdown

24 of the Washington County Zoning Ordinance controls outdoor advertising signs, commonly called billboards. S. S. S. 24(c)(2). 24(c)(3). 24(c)(4)-(6). 24(b)(3). 24(d).

Violations & Fines

Erecting or maintaining an outdoor advertising sign in violation of Section 22.24, including one placed inside a restricted corridor or oversized for its zoning district, is a zoning violation. A conviction under Section 26.1 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, with each day the illegal sign remains standing a separate offense; the county may instead pursue a civil citation under Section 26.2.1, capped at $500 per violation and doubling if unpaid within 15 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a new billboard go up along I-81 or US 40 in Washington County, Maryland?

No. Section 22.24(c)(2) bans new outdoor advertising signs within 1,000 feet of the centerline of named corridors including U.S. Route 40/MD 144, MD 68, MD 65, MD 34, MD 63, U.S. 340, MD 60 and MD 67, covering most of the county's interstate and U.S.-route frontage.

How big can a legal billboard be under county zoning?

Section 22.24(c)(4)-(6) caps each face at 300 square feet, cumulative area on one structure at 600 square feet, height at 30 feet from the lowest road grade, and limits the sign to two faces mounted back to back.

Does an existing billboard have to come down if it's nonconforming?

Not automatically, but Section 22.24(b) freezes it: no increase in size or height is allowed, and Section 22.24(c)(3) makes the highway corridors listed in the ordinance priority areas for removing existing nonconforming signs.

Sources & Official References

[1]Washington County Zoning Ordinance (§ 22.24)

Other rules in Washington County

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All Washington County rules

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