Maryland Statewide Rule
Maryland Political Sign Right-of-Way Restrictions
Key Facts
- ROW prohibition
- Transportation § 8-605(f)
- Removal
- Without notice or court process
- Commercial sign penalty
- Up to $25 per sign
- Authority line
- Election Law § 13-602
Summary
Maryland bans placing any sign, including political campaign signs, within a State highway right-of-way under Transportation § 8-605(f). The State Highway Administration, law enforcement, or the local government may remove and destroy violating signs without prior notice or legal proceedings.
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision in the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association may not restrict or prohibit the display of: (1) A candidate sign; or (2) A sign that advertises the support or defeat of any question submitted to the voters in accordance with the Election Law Article.
Full Breakdown
Under Transportation Article § 8-605(f), no person may place or maintain a sign within a State highway right-of-way except one authorized by the State Highway Administration. Violating signs may be removed and destroyed without resort to legal proceedings by SHA, a law enforcement officer, or the county or municipality where the sign sits. Enforcement must be viewpoint- and content-neutral, and a commercial sign placed in the right-of-way carries a civil penalty of up to $25 per sign. Election Law § 13-602 separately requires campaign signs to carry an authority line identifying who authorized them. Placement on private property with the owner's consent is generally protected.
Violations & Penalties
Signs in a State highway right-of-way are removed and destroyed without notice; commercial signs face a civil penalty up to $25 per sign, and enforcement must be content-neutral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can political signs go on a Maryland highway median?
Must Maryland political signs include disclosures?
Sources
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