title
Eliminating the Permit Requirement for Sidewalk Signs
For the purpose of removing the requirement that shop-owners in Historic Annapolis obtain permits to put a sign on the sidewalk; maintaining certain regulations on these sidewalk signs, and the ability of the City to issue citations for violations; and generally related to Chapter 17.60 of the City Code.
body
City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Ordinance 23-26
Introduced by: Alderman Huntley
Co-sponsored by:
Referred to:
• Planning Commission
• Economic Matters Committee
• Rules and City Government Committee
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Eliminating the Permit Requirement for Sidewalk Signs
FOR the purpose of removing the requirement that shop-owners in Historic Annapolis obtain permits to put a sign on the sidewalk; maintaining certain regulations on these sidewalk signs, and the ability of the City to issue citations for violations; and generally related to Chapter 17.60 of the City Code.
BY repealing and reenacting with amendments the following portions of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:
• Section 17.60.010
• Section 21.70.050
SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Code of the City of Annapolis shall be amended to read as follows:
City Code Title 17 - BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 17.60 - Signs
Section 17.60.010 Permit-Required.
A. No permanent commercial sign, billboard or advertising structure or device, or sidewalk sign shall be erected or installed unless a sign permit has been issued by the Director of Planning and Zoning or his or her designee. Temporary signs and banners are prohibited except as provided under Section 17.60.060, under Section 21.70.060, or Section 21.70.080.
A. Permits.
1. Required. No permanent commercial sign, billboard, or advertising structure or device may be erected or installed without a sign permit issued by the Director of Planning and Zoning or their designee.
2. Exemption. Sidewalk signs are exempt from the permit requirement in subsection (1). Owners of sidewalk signs shall comply with the applicable standards set forth in Chapter 21.70 (Sign Regulations) and other relevant provisions of this Code, and shall be subject to enforcement under applicable provisions of this Code.
B. Temporary Signs and Banners. Temporary signs and banners are prohibited except as provided in §§ 17.60.060 (Signs or banners across public streets), 21.70.060 (Exempt signs), or 21.70.080 (Signs in non-residential districts).
C. Review. The Department of Planning and Zoning shall review the sign permit application for consistency with the Zoning Code, pursuant to Chapter 21.70.
Title 21 - PLANNING AND ZONING
Division V - Regulations of General Applicability
Chapter 21.70 - Sign Regulations
Section 21.70.050 Standards applicable to all signs.
[Amended Sections are 21.70.050(E)(3) and 21.70.050(G)]
E. Design. The design of signs is important to the character of the City of Annapolis. The following provisions are designed to give guidance to persons designing, erecting, and approving signs in the City.
1. Guidelines for All Signs.
a. Materials, colors and shapes of proposed signs shall be compatible with the related building(s). Size and proportions should be judged by sizes and proportions of signs on nearby properties that are compatible with the prevailing character, or the character prescribed in land use plans adopted by the City Council.
b. Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates.
c. The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in proportion to the area of the sign face.
d. Each sign shall be compatible with signs on adjoining premises and shall not compete for attention.
e. Signs should be constructed of quality materials. The choice of materials for signage should relate to the quality of architecture within the zoning district.
f. Signs should provide information, character and a quality image.
2. MX and BR Districts, Additional Guidelines.
a. Signs generally shall be of simple design and relate to the scale and design of buildings.
b. The size of each sign shall relate to the scale and architectural character of its façade.
c. The placement of signs shall not cover attractive architectural details, overwhelm the façade in size, or interrupt the rhythm of upper façade windows.
d. The choice of materials for signs shall relate to the quality of historic architecture within the MX district. The use of painted wood, glass and metal are appropriate.
3. Historic District. Refer to § 21.70.090 “Signs in the Historic District” for guidelines.
F. Removal of Signs. Any sign associated with an activity on a vacated premises shall be removed from the premises, altered or resurfaced within one month from the time such activity ceases so that the sign does not display visual communication pertaining to the former activity.
G. Sidewalk Signs. Additional standards.
1. Sidewalk signs shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or visibility, or adversely affect the safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
2. Sidewalk signs shall be placed on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to a permit holder's building and allow a 40-inch minimum walkable pedestrian right-of-way. The exact location of the sign shall be determined by the Department of Public Works based on governmental accessibility and safety standards, including, but not limited to, the location and proximity of doorways; the distance between pedestrian obstacles; the location of crosswalks; and other physical features of the location that affect accessibility and safety.
3. Sidewalk signs shall not be permanently affixed or anchored to the sidewalk or attached to structures.
4. Sidewalk signs shall be removed from the public right-of-way from dusk to dawn and when the permit holder's business is closed.
5. No part of a sidewalk sign shall encroach upon any part of the sidewalk frontage of any adjacent premises, alley, or other such right-of-way.
6. The applicant shall fully ensure that the placement of a sidewalk sign shall not cause any unnecessary or unreasonable exposure to personal injury or property damage to the public.
7. The permit holder shall fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City and its agents, employees, and elected officials from and against any and all claims
and damages in any way arising out of or through the acts or omissions of the permit holder in connection with the placement or use of the sidewalk sign.
8. Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall provide an indemnity bond to ensure compliance with all applicable City laws and to cover losses and claims resulting from the placement or use of the sidewalk sign. The bond shall be in a form satisfactory to the City Attorney.
9. An approved sign permit for a sidewalk sign may be revoked or suspended by the Director of Planning and Zoning if it is determined after the issuance of the permit that the sign is obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, visibility, or safety.
G. Sidewalk Signs - Standards specific to sidewalk signs
1. Definitions for this subsection.
a. "ADA" means the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and all applicable federal regulations promulgated thereunder, including guidelines issued by the United States Access Board.
b. "Sign owner" means the owner of the building where the sign is placed, or the lessee of the commercial space within that building to which the sign pertains, as applicable.
c. "Sidewalk sign" means a freestanding, portable sign, including but not limited to A-frame, sandwich board, or pedestal-style signs, placed on a public sidewalk or other pedestrian area adjacent to a building.
2. No Obstruction.
a. Sidewalk signs shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or visibility, or adversely affect the safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
b. No part of a sidewalk sign shall encroach upon any part of the sidewalk frontage of any adjacent premises, alley, or other such right-of-way.
3. Sign Location and ADA Compliance. Sign owners are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other applicable federal requirements for pedestrian access along the sidewalk.
4. Not Permanent. Sidewalk signs shall not be permanently affixed or anchored to the sidewalk or attached to structures.
5. Time Limits. Sidewalk signs may be displayed only during the hours the business is open to the public, and must be removed by the time the business closes or by midnight (12:00 a.m.), whichever comes first.
6. Liability. The sign owner shall be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury to any person or property that arises from the placement, maintenance, or operation of a sidewalk sign.
7. Violations. A sign owner who fails to comply with these standards may be subject to citation.
[After Section 21.70.080 - signs in non-residential districts.]
Sign Table 1
Types of Signs Permitted in Non-Residential Zoning Districts
|
District |
Permitted Signs1 |
|
B1 |
Business community identification sign |
|
|
Freestanding |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
B2, B3, B3-CD, BCE, I1 |
Business community identification sign |
|
|
Freestanding |
|
|
Multi-tenant facility |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
BR, PM2 |
Multi-tenant facility |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
C2, C2A, C2P |
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
P, PM |
Business community identification sign |
|
|
Freestanding |
|
|
Multi-tenant facility |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
MX |
Freestanding, ground sign only |
|
|
Multi-tenant facility |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
|
WMC, WME, WMI, WMM |
Freestanding |
|
|
Marine refueling facility signs on piers |
|
|
Multi-tenant facility |
|
|
Wall-mounted |
|
|
Sidewalk |
Table 1 footnotes:
1. "Permitted" in this column means "allowed" and does not require a sign permit for sidewalk signs.
SECTION II: AND BE IT FINALLY ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this ordinance shall take effect 30 days after adoption.