Montgomery County, MD Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Not required
- Max sign area
- 5 square feet
- Max height
- 30 inches
- Timing
- Weekends/federal holidays only
- Removal deadline
- Within 24 hours after event
Summary
No permit needed for a garage sale sign, but the county's temporary right-of-way sign rules cap size, placement, and how long it can stay up.
A permit is not required for a temporary sign placed in the public right-of-way subject to the following. ... The maximum sign area for each sign is 5 square feet. ... A sign must be erected only on weekends or Federal Holidays. ... The installer and the sign owner are both responsible for removing the sign within 24 hours of the same weekend or Federal Holiday during which the temporary sign was installed. The maximum number of temporary signs allowed is 4 per site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
A garage or yard sale is a temporary use under the Zoning Ordinance, and a directional sign for one is a temporary sign under Section 6.7.7. No permit is required, but the sign is capped at 5 square feet and 30 inches tall, must sit 25 feet from any intersection or driveway, can't block a sidewalk or roadway, and may go up only on weekends or federal holidays. Both the installer and sign owner must pull it down within 24 hours after that weekend or holiday ends, and no more than 4 temporary signs are allowed per site.
Violations & Fines
DPS or county code enforcement can order removal; signs left up past the 24-hour window or violating placement rules are subject to removal as an illegal right-of-way sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale sign in Montgomery County?
How long can a garage sale sign stay up?
How many garage sale signs can I put out?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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