Subtitle 5 – Areas of Special Signage Control
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, § 17-501 (2026)
§ 17-501 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
The City recognizes that certain commercial areas present a unique character that could be enhanced with the application of sign standards that depart from the requirements of this title. In these circumstances, these standards would be considered supportive of the commercial area. Under this subtitle, the Planning Commission may recommend and the City Council may approve the designation of an area that meets certain criteria as an Area of Special Signage. The Planning Commission may then approve a specific Signage Plan for that Area of Special Signage Control.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-502 (2026)
§ 17-502 Applicability.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Districts.
(1)
An Area of Special Signage Control may be applied for in the C-1, C-1-E, C-1-VC, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, IMU-1 or 2, OR, or TOD Zoning Districts.
(2)
The entire PC Zoning District, as mapped on the adopted Zoning Map, as of June 5, 2017, is designated an Area of Special Signage Control, unless the boundaries of the Area of Special Signage Control are otherwise amended per § 17-505.
(2)
The entire PC Zoning District is designated an Area of Special Signage Control, unless the boundaries of the Area of Special Signage Control are otherwise amended per <cite data-path="32|§17-505">§ 17-505</cite>.
(b)Size of Area.
(1)
An Area of Special Signage Control must include multiple properties and cover an area that has at least 600 linear feet of street frontage.
(2)
The block faces may either be located directly across the street from each other or adjacent to each other along the street.
(3)
The block faces may be in any 1 or combination of the zoning districts identified in subsection (a) of this section.
History: Ord.18-216
History: Ord. 19-244
History:
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-503 (2026)
§ 17-503 Application process.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Application by Ordinance.
Approval of an Application for an Area of Special Sign Control requires approval by ordinance, in accordance with the applicable procedures of Title 5, Subtitle 5 {“Legislative Authorizations”} of this Code, except that §§ 5-506(a)(2) and 5-508 do not apply.
(b)Process.
(1)
If an area is located in a zoning district listed in <cite data-path="|32|§17-502|(a)|(1)">§ 17-502(a)(1) of this subtitle</cite> and meets the requirements of this subtitle, a proposed Ordinance can be introduced to designate that area as an Area of Special Sign Control.
(2)
Notice of the proposed Ordinance’s introduction is as required in § 5-603 of this Code, except that instead of the contents of the notice as set forth in § 5-603(b) of this Code, the notice must instead include:
(i)
date of the proposed Ordinance’s introduction and its assigned bill number;
(ii)
date of hearing on the proposed Ordinance;
(iii)
the name and address of the applicant(s);
(iv)
the boundaries of the proposed area;
(v)
Planning Department contact information, at which the public can arrange to review the proposed Signage Plan; and
(vi)
a statement that any objections to the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control should be given to the Director of Planning and the City Council.
(c)Standards of application review.
(1)
The Planning Commission may recommend approval of the application so long as the Planning Commission makes findings of fact that the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control:
(i)
would not increase the likelihood of traffic congestion or distraction;
(ii)
would not add to the visual clutter in the area; and
(iii)
would not be incongruous with the existing or contemplated design of the area.
(2)
If 51% of property owners inside the proposed Area of Special Sign Control object to the designation of that area as an Area of Special Sign Control before the Planning Commission hearing on the proposed Ordinance, the Director of Planning:
(i)
may not recommend to the Planning Commission that the City Council approve the application; but
(ii)
must still address the findings required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3)
The City Council may approve the application even if the Planning Commission does not approve it, so long as the City Council makes findings of fact that the designation of the area as an Area of Special Signage Control:
(i)
would not increase the likelihood of traffic congestion or distraction;
(ii)
would not add to the visual clutter in the area; and
(iii)
would not be incongruous with the existing or contemplated design of the area.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-504 (2026)
§ 17-504 Signage Plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Required.
Once an area is designated as an Area of Special Signage Control, a Signage Plan must be submitted to the Planning Commission.
(b)Contents.
The Signage Plan must include:
(1)
a list of what sign types are being sought in the Area of Special Sign Control;
(2)
the location and number of signs per lot or building;
(3)
the maximum dimensions per sign; and
(4)
the percentage deviation being sought in the area or height of the sign or in the maximum cumulative area of signs from what is allowed by right as provided in <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations </em>and <em>Table 17-306: Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em>.
(c)Content deviations and additions.
(1)
The Signage Plan may include deviations from location, height, quantity, and dimensional requirements of this title so long as the deviation is allowed by <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations </em>or <em>Table 17-306: Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em>..
(2)
The Signage Plan may include a type of sign that is not generally permissible in the underlying district if that additional sign type is listed in <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations </em>as one allowed in an Area of Special Sign Control for that district and is otherwise a sign type defined in this title.
(3)
The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals may not grant any variance for a sign that has been the subject of a deviation or addition under this section.
(d)Calculating percentage deviations.
When calculating the percentage deviation for a sign area or height, a fraction in the resultant allowable deviation that is ½ or more of a whole number counts as 1 additional square foot for sign area or 1 additional foot for height.
(e)Prohibitions.
The Signage Plan may not alter or deviate from the standards required by § 17-402 {“Alcoholic beverage and cigarette advertising signs”} or <cite data-path="|32|§17-411">§ 17-411 {“Obscene signs”} of this title</cite>.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-505 (2026)
§ 17-505 Signage Plan approval and amendment process.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Planning Commission must approve the Signage Plan before any signs may be erected in an Area of Special Signage Control.
(b)Standards.
(1)
The Planning Commission must make findings of fact that the Signage Plan:
(i)
would not increase the likelihood of traffic congestion or distraction;
(ii)
would not add to the visual clutter in the area; and
(iii)
would not be incongruous with the existing or contemplated design of the area.
(2)
The Planning Commission may only approve a Signage Plan that:
(i)
meets the requirements listed in <em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations </em>and <em>Table 17-306: Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em>; and
(ii)
is otherwise allowed by this title.
(3)
The Planning Commission may request review and evaluation of any aspect of a proposed signage plan from any City agency prior to approval of a signage plan at the Planning Commission.
(c)Amendments.
(1)
Any amendments to the boundaries of an Area of Special Sign Control must be approved by Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council.
(2)
Any amendments to the Signage Plan must be approved by the Planning Commission.
History: Ord.18-216
Balt., Md., Code art. 32, § 17-506 (2026)
§ 17-506 Designation signage plan approval – Planned unit developments.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
An Area of Special Signage Control and Signage Plan may be incorporated into a new planned unit development established by ordinance.
(b)Standards.
If a planned unit development incorporates an Area of Special Signage Control:
(i)
the proposed ordinance must have a dedicated section of the ordinance entitled, “Area of Special Signage Control”;
(ii)
the requirements of 17-503(c) must be included as part of the evaluation of application for the inclusion within the planned unit development;
(iii)
the requirements of 17-504 must be met and included in either text or exhibits in the planned unit development;
(iv)
<em>Table 17-201: Sign Regulations</em> and <em>Table 17-306</em>: <em>Maximum Cumulative Area of Signs</em> are applicable;
(v)
a boundary change shall be considered a major change and must be changed by Ordinance;
(vi)
unless the signage is attached to portions of the planned unit development that are deemed to be a major change under Title 15 of <cite data-path="|32">this article</cite>, a Signage Plan included in the planned unit development may be amended by Planning Commission and considered a minor change to the planned unit development;
(vii)
if a planned unit development is repealed and not replaced, the Area Of Special Signage Control may continue to be effective with the designated boundaries and the approved signage plan; and
(viii)
unless otherwise provided, all provisions of this Code are applicable.
History: Ord. 22-181