Gaithersburg, MD Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Gaithersburg's sign ordinance exempts political signs on private property from permit requirements. Political signs are constitutionally protected expression, and the city's regulations reflect this protection. Signs may be displayed on private residential and commercial property without a permit, provided they do not create a traffic safety hazard by obstructing sight lines at intersections. There are no content-based restrictions on political signage. The city may regulate the size of political signs consistent with general sign size limits for the zoning district, but cannot ban them or impose unreasonable timing restrictions. Signs placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, traffic signals, or city-owned property may be removed without notice. Maryland election law does not impose specific display period limits for political signs, unlike some other states. HOAs in Gaithersburg may regulate but generally cannot ban political signs due to First Amendment protections and Maryland common law. After elections, property owners are encouraged to remove signs promptly. The city does not actively enforce removal deadlines for political signs on private property. Contact the Department of Planning and Code Administration at (301) 258-6330 for questions about sign placement.