Subtitle 3 – Sign Dimension and Quantity Measurement Methodology
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-301 (2026)
§ 17-301 In general.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Sign area.
Sign area is measured as provided in §§ 17-302 through 17-306 of this subtitle.
(b)Sign height.
Sign height is measured as provided in <cite data-path="|32|§17-307">§ 17-307 of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-302 (2026)
§ 17-302 Sign area – General.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Signs on a background.
(1)
For signs on a background, the entire area of the framework or background of the sign is calculated as sign area, including any material or color forming the sign face or background used to differentiate the sign from the structure against which it is placed.
(2)
Sign area does not include any framework or bracing, unless the framework or bracing is part of the message or sign face.
(b)Freestanding letters or logos.
(1)
For signs consisting of freestanding letters or logos, the sign area is calculated as the total area of each square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination of these, that encompasses each individual letter or logo.
(2)
Sign area does not include any supporting framework or bracing, unless the framework or bracing is part of the message or sign face.
(c)Window sign on transparent film.
Window signs printed on a transparent film and affixed to a windowpane are calculated by their individual letters or logos, as long as the portion of the transparent film around the perimeter of the individual letters or logos maintains the transparency of the window.
(d)Painted/mural signs.
(1)
A single design in the same plane or elevation shall be considered 1 sign.
(2)
For painted/mural signs that include both signage and art in a single design, the signage area shall be calculated as the combined area of the signage portion or portions, provided that the signage is in the same plane or elevation.
History: Ord.18-216
History: Ord. 22-181
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-303 (2026)
§ 17-303 Sign area – Supports and uprights excluded.LinkCopy Citation
Necessary supports or uprights on which the sign is placed are not included in the computation.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-304 (2026)
§ 17-304 Sign area – Multi-faced signs.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
If a sign has 2 or more faces, the area of all faces is included in determining the area of the sign, except as specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(b)Back-to-back within 2 feet.
If 2 faces are placed back to back and are nowhere more than 2 feet apart (excluding necessary supports or uprights), the area of the sign is taken as:
(1)
the area of 1 face, if the 2 faces are of equal area; and.
(2)
the area of the larger face, if the 2 faces are of unequal area.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-305 (2026)
§ 17-305 Sign area – Three-dimensional, etc., signs.LinkCopy Citation
The sign area of a three-dimensional, free-form, or sculptural (non-planar) sign is calculated as 50% of the sum of the area of the 4 vertical sides of the smallest cube that will encompass the sign.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-306 (2026)
§ 17-306 Sign area – Maximum cumulative area of signs on lot.LinkCopy Citation
The total cumulative square feet of all signs on a lot may not exceed the amounts specified in <em>Table 17-306: Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em>, except as allowed in an approved Signage Plan for an Area of Special Signage Control, where those maximums may be exceeded to the extent provided by that Table.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-307 (2026)
§ 17-307 Sign height and width.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Measurement methodology.
(1)
The height of a sign is determined by measuring the vertical distance from the uppermost point used to measure the area of a sign to the ground immediately below that point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street or alley, whichever measurement allows the greater elevation of the sign.
(2)
The width of a sign is determined by measuring the horizontal distance from the outermost points of either edge of the sign perpendicular to the ground plane.
(b)Poles, etc., to be within maximum height.
Poles, uprights, braces, and other support structures must be contained within the maximum height.
(c)Minimum height for freestanding pole signs.
For freestanding pole signs, the minimum pole height is determined by measuring the vertical distance from the lowest point of where the sign’s message or graphics begins to the ground immediately below that point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street or alley, whichever measurement allows the greater elevation of the sign.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-308 (2026)
§ 17-308 Building and tenant frontage measurement methodology.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
For any building subject to this title, the building frontage shall be identified and calculated based on the building elevation that is parallel to and immediately adjacent to the right-of-way (excluding un-named or named alleys) or the parking lot drive aisle on which the main entrance fronts.
(b)
For ground floor tenants with direct street access, tenant frontage shall be calculated per linear foot of exterior facing frontage for that tenant.
History: Ord. 22-181
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-309 (2026)
§ 17-309 Maximum area and maximum quantity.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section or as otherwise provided in <cite data-path="|32">this article</cite>:
(1)
the “maximum area per sign” specified in <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations</em> is the maximum area allowed for each sign per sign type allowed;
(2)
the “maximum quantity” specified in <em>Table 17- 201: Sign Regulations </em>is the total number of signs per sign type allowed; and
(3)
the aggregate maximum sign area per sign type is calculated by multiplying the “maximum area per sign” by the ‘maximum quantity” of that sign type as specified in <em>Table 17-201: sign regulations</em>.
(b)Exception.
(1)In general.
Any sign that is required by the City Building, Fire, and Related Codes and that is 2 square feet or less does not count towards:
(i)
the allowable maximum quantity specified in <em>Table 17- 201: Sign Regulations:</em>
(ii)
the maximum area per sign specified in <em>Table 17- 201: Sign Regulations</em>; or
(iii)
the maximum cumulative area of signage specified in<em> Table 17-306: Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em>.
(2)Signs over 2 square feet.
Any sign over 2 square feet or any sign described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is subject to the applicable rules of this title, <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations</em>, and <em>Table 17-306</em>: <em>Maximum Cumulative Areas of Signs.</em>
History: Ord. 22-181