Rockville’s code inspectors will be enforcing new regulations preventing signs within city rights of way in an effort to reduce visual clutter and ensure safety, especially at intersections.
No signs except official public signs will be allowed within a public right of way. Any signs found violating the provision will be removed by city inspectors. That includes both commercial and noncommercial temporary signs.
More stringent enforcement follows the recent adoption by the Mayor and Council of major revisions to the regulation of signs in Rockville.
Other elements of the new sign code include:
- All commercial signs will require a permit, whether permanent or temporary.
- Noncommercial temporary signs will be generally allowed without a permit but must comply with regulations.
- Off-premises signs are not permitted, except within certain major development projects.
- The amount of signage allowed per commercial tenant has been increased from the prior ordinance, with fewer limitations on logos and accent colors.
- A sign-variance procedure has been implemented requiring approval by the city’s chief of zoning that will replace the Sign Review Board.
- Signs in connection with construction projects are allowed up to 200 square feet in size.
- Temporary banners for the opening of a new business are allowed for up to 60 days and may be 32-48 square feet, depending on the size of the front of the tenant building.
A manual that includes the relevant regulations on signs and sign enforcement can be found at bit.ly/RkvSignRegs.