Jessup CDP (part), Anne Arundel County, Maryland Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays Rules (2026)

Holiday decorations on private residential property in Anne Arundel County are treated as temporary, noncommercial displays that are exempt from sign permits under Article 18. Displays may not encroach on the public right-of-way, obstruct sight distances at driveways and intersections, or block required walkways and accessible routes. Electrical components must be UL-listed for outdoor use, GFCI-protected, and installed to the 2020 NEC as adopted by the county. Inflatables must be secured against wind; the peninsulas along the Severn, Magothy, Rhode, and South Rivers can see coastal gusts that require additional tie-downs. Within the Annapolis Historic District, the city's Historic Preservation Commission applies design guidelines that may restrict fixed holiday attachments to contributing structures. Sound-emitting displays are subject to county noise limits (55 dBA nighttime in residential zones) under Article 11. HOA covenants commonly add display-window rules in Crofton, Piney Orchard, and Two Rivers.