[PAGE 1]
1. Sign Ordinance Review Committee Agenda 1-4-2022
Documents:
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA 1-4-2022.PDF
2. Sign Ordinance Review Committee Meeting Summary 09 14 2021
Documents:
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY 09 14
2021.PDF
3. Staff Memo January 2022 Sign Ordinance Review Committee
Documents:
STAFF MEMO JANUARY 2022 SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE.PDF

[PAGE 2]
Sign Ordinance Review Committee
AGENDA
Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 6:00 PM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnaLV8N68x1twYyjn95_TrQ
https://www.westminstermd.gov/
I. Call to Order – (A. Gray, DCPD)
II. Approval of Minutes
September 14, 2021
III. Old Business
None
IV. New Business
Item A: Review and Discuss Draft Sign Code (Sections 164-117 to 164-120)
V. Adjournment
Next Meeting
Posted January 3, 2022

[PAGE 3]
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM
City Administrative Offices, 45 West Main Street
Community Meeting Room
A meeting of the Westminster Sign Ordinance Review Committee was held in the Community Meeting
Room, at the City Administrative Offices, on September 14, 2021, at 6 PM.
Committee Members Teresa Pickett, Mike McMullin, Dana Rogers, Patrick D'Anthony, Tyler Codd, Dean
Camlin, and Christine Ameduri were present. City staff member Andrew Gray was also present.
The following members of the public were present: None
Mr. Gray opened the meeting at 6:00 PM.
Item A: Committee Member Introductions - Mr. Gray asked all Committee Members to provide a brief
background about themselves.
Item B: Review of the Current City Sign Ordinance (Article XVII Signs) - Mr. Gray reviewed, in detail, the
current City Sign Ordinance and what parts of the Ordinance are reviewed for applications in applicable
zoning districts. He explained the Standards for Renovation Westminster and how they only apply to sign
review in the Central Business Zone. He mentioned the current Application for Sign or Awning and
answered questions from Committee Members. He also mentioned how he is proposing to incorporate
diagrams into the new Code, so it is easier for people to understand.
Committee member Ameduri mentioned that the Committee should look at the City of Frederick,
Columbia, and Ellicott City sign ordinances for examples. It was noted that the Committee should also look
at regulating and enforcing flashing signs, bright signs, and the sign code in general.
Committee member Rogers inquired about how it appears the Sign Ordinance has been modified over the
years and how new things have been added without looking at the Ordinance as a whole.
Committee member McMullin had questions about blade signs on Main Street.
Committee member D'Anthony had questions on how sign area is determined.
Committee member Camlin inquired about adding the Standards for Renovation Westminster sign
Meeting Summary of September 14, 2021 Page 1 of 2

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regulations into the ordinance, so everything is in one place and easier to understand. He also agreed that
adding diagrams would be helpful.
Item C: Review of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155. (SCOTUS) – Mr. Gray provided a brief review of
the United State Supreme Court Case of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, AZ. He explained how this case requires
all sign codes in the United State to be content neutral.
Mr. Gray mentioned that he would provide the Committee with a draft sign Code for review and discussion
at their next meeting. He also mentioned that he would send the Committee the Calvert County, Maryland
sign regulations that were adopted post Reed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
Meeting Summary of September 14, 2021 Page 2 of 2

[PAGE 5]
To: Westminster Sign Ordinance Review Committee
From: Andrew R. Gray, Comprehensive Planner
cc: Mark A. Depo, Director of Community Planning and Development
Meeting Date: January 4, 2022
Subject: Sign Code Re-Write: Sections 164-117 to 164-120 Review
BACKGROUND
According to sign industry literature, the formation of a sign committee is a common component of local
government efforts in updating or drafting a new sign ordinance. As such, the Department of Community
Planning and Development (DCPD) chose to form a Westminster Sign Ordinance Committee that would
include a broad group of community stakeholders with a diverse background to provide insight and
recommendations during the City’s efforts to update the sign section of the Zoning Ordinance.
At its July 21, 2021 meeting, the Economic and Community Development Committee of the Mayor and
Common Council endorsed the formation of the Committee.
The Committee was formed with the purpose to provide input and guidance in the formation of an
updated City Sign Code and the expectation to provide valuable insight to City staff since each Committee
member has their own local diverse knowledge of the City and diverse knowledge from their respective
fields. The Committee held its introductory (first) meeting on September 14, 2021. [Attachment 1] The
following outlines the Sign Code Re-Write Timeline, as well as the September 14, 2021 meeting.
Sign Code Re-WriteTimeline (Subject to Change)
July, 2021 – August, 2021 (Complete)
 Establish the Sign Committee
September, 2021 (Complete)
 Hold initial Sign Committee meeting
 Member introductions
 Review and background of the current City Sign Ordinance
 Review of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert (SCOTUS)
 Discuss next Steps
October, 2021 – December, 2021 (In Process)
 Research sign ordinances
 Begin work on draft sign ordinance

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January, 2022 – June, 2022
 Continue to meet with Committee
 Finalize draft sign Code
 Introduce draft sign Code to the Mayor and Common Council
Review:
DCPD Staff has completed an extensive literature review of both industry literature and local government
sign ordinances that were adopted post Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, AZ. To help facilitate an easier review
process, DCPD Staff has provided current City Sign Code Sections 164-117 to 164-120 and the draft text
intended to replace these City Sign Code Sections. [Attachment 2]
Recommendation:
The Committee review and provide input on the draft text for Sign Code Sections 164-117 to 164-120.
ATTACHMENT
1. September 14, 2021 Committee Meeting Summary
2. Existing/Proposed City Sign Code Section 164-117 to 164-120

[PAGE 7]
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM
City Administrative Offices, 45 West Main Street
Community Meeting Room
A meeting of the Westminster Sign Ordinance Review Committee was held in the Community Meeting
Room, at the City Administrative Offices, on September 14, 2021, at 6 PM.
Committee Members Teresa Pickett, Mike McMullin, Dana Rogers, Patrick D'Anthony, Tyler Codd, Dean
Camlin, and Christine Ameduri were present. City staff member Andrew Gray was also present.
The following members of the public were present: None
Mr. Gray opened the meeting at 6:00 PM.
Item A: Committee Member Introductions - Mr. Gray asked all Committee Members to provide a brief
background about themselves.
Item B: Review of the Current City Sign Ordinance (Article XVII Signs) - Mr. Gray reviewed, in detail, the
current City Sign Ordinance and what parts of the Ordinance are reviewed for applications in applicable
zoning districts. He explained the Standards for Renovation Westminster and how they only apply to sign
review in the Central Business Zone. He mentioned the current Application for Sign or Awning and
answered questions from Committee Members. He also mentioned how he is proposing to incorporate
diagrams into the new Code, so it is easier for people to understand.
Committee member Ameduri mentioned that the Committee should look at the City of Frederick,
Columbia, and Ellicott City sign ordinances for examples. It was noted that the Committee should also look
at regulating and enforcing flashing signs, bright signs, and the sign code in general.
Committee member Rogers inquired about how it appears the Sign Ordinance has been modified over the
years and how new things have been added without looking at the Ordinance as a whole.
Committee member McMullin had questions about blade signs on Main Street.
Committee member D'Anthony had questions on how sign area is determined.
Committee member Camlin inquired about adding the Standards for Renovation Westminster sign
Meeting Summary of September 14, 2021 Page 1 of 2

[PAGE 8]
regulations into the ordinance, so everything is in one place and easier to understand. He also agreed that
adding diagrams would be helpful.
Item C: Review of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155. (SCOTUS) – Mr. Gray provided a brief review of
the United State Supreme Court Case of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert, AZ. He explained how this case requires
all sign codes in the United State to be content neutral.
Mr. Gray mentioned that he would provide the Committee with a draft sign Code for review and discussion
at their next meeting. He also mentioned that he would send the Committee the Calvert County, Maryland
sign regulations that were adopted post Reed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
Meeting Summary of September 14, 2021 Page 2 of 2

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Update of the City Sign Code (Sections 164-117 to 164-120)
Current Ordinance New Code
164-117 - Purpose and Intent 164-117 Purpose and Intent
A. The purpose and intent of the City of Westminster Sign Code
In addition to the purposes set forth in § 164-2 of this chapter, the (hereinafter referred to as the Sign Code) is to:
purpose of the requirements set forth in this article which regulate
the location, size, placement and certain features of signs is to enable (1) Balance the need to protect the public health, safety, and
the public to locate goods, services and facilities without difficulty, general welfare, with the need for a well maintained and
danger or confusion, to prevent wasteful use of natural resources in attractive community while also providing for adequate
competition among businesses for attention, to prevent hazards to identification, communication, and advertising.
life and property and to assure the continued attractiveness of the
City and the protection of property values. (2) Enabling the fair and consistent enforcement of the sign
regulations contained within this Code without regulating
the content of any sign.
(3) Promote pedestrian and vehicular (public) safety by
allowing the public to reasonably locate goods, services,
facilities, and geographic areas without difficulty, danger,
confusion, or harm;
(4) Enhance the unique character of the city by maintaining
and complementing the aesthetic, built, and natural
environments;
(5) Protect property values by preventing damage from
signs, avoiding visual clutter, and ensuring compatibility
with the surrounding land uses;
(6) Preventing signs from becoming a public nuisance, create
blight, or pose a hazard through unregulated
construction, placement, and display;
(7) Create an attractive business climate that fosters
economic vitality and sustainability;

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(8) If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph,
sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word in this code is
declared invalid, such invalidly shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remaining portions of the code.
164-118 Compliance Required 164-118 Compliance Required
No sign may be erected in any zone, nor a permit issued therefor, Any sign which is structurally altered, relocated, replaced shall be
unless such sign is specifically permitted by this article and complies brought immediately into compliance with all provisions of this Code.
with all of the requirements of this chapter.
164-119 General Regulations 164-119 General Regulations
In furtherance of the purpose and intent of this article as set forth in A. No sign shall be erected which obstructs any window, door,
§ 164-117, the following general requirements shall be applicable to fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide
all signs except those erected by a governmental agency: light, air, ingress, or egress for any building or structure or
which otherwise endangers the safety of a building, premises,
A. No sign shall be erected which obstructs any window, door, fire or person.
escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air,
ingress or egress for any building or structure or which otherwise B. Materials employed for construction of signs shall be durable
endangers the safety of a building, premises or person. and weather resistant, and all signs shall be maintained in
good repair.
B. No sign shall be erected which, by reason of its position, size,
shape or color, may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be C. No sign shall be the same size, location, movement, coloring,
confused with any traffic sign, signal or device or railroad sign or or manner of illumination which may be confused with or
signal or which makes use of any word, phrase, symbol or character construed as a traffic control device or which hides from view
in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. any traffic, street sign, or signal;
C. No sign which uses the word "stop" or "danger" or which presents D. No lighting of signs shall be permitted which is of flashing,
or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of blinking, fluctuating, intermittent, rotating, or other animated
danger shall be displayed. type, or which would tend to blind or distract motorists, or
which would shine directly onto any residential dwelling,
except electric signs as permitted pursuant to this Code;

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D. No sign shall be erected which utilizes rotating, blinking, flashing or E. No sign shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants,
fluttering illumination or illumination which varies in color or ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other
intensity. similarly moving devices or signs which may move or swing as
[Amended 9-28-2015 by Ord. No. 860[1]] a result of wind pressure. These devices when not part of any
sign are similarly prohibited, unless they are permitted
[1]Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided that it would be effective specifically by other legislation;
retroactively to 2-23-2012, except to the extent that it would impair a
vested right of a property owner. F. No sign shall be erected by or placed by any person on any
public property or right-of-way, including sidewalks, unless
E. Variable electronic message signs (VEMS) are allowed as permitted permitted.
under § 164-121.
[2] G. No sign shall be erected in such a location as to interfere with
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of pedestrian or vehicular circulation onto or off of the property
former Subsections E through I as Subsections F through J, on which it is located including blocking the clear site triangle
respectively, and further provided that it would be effective as defined in the most up-to-date Intersection Safety: A
retroactively to 2-23-2012, except to the extent that it would impair a Manual to Local Rural Road Owners, Section 3.3.1 Sight
vested right of a property owner. Distance. (Federal Highway Administration)
F. No sign shall be erected by or placed by any person on any public H. No motor vehicle shall be parked in any zone under
property or right-of-way, including sidewalks. circumstances reasonably indicating an intent to make
principal use of such motor vehicle as a sign for anyone or
G. No sign shall be erected in such a location as to interfere with anything.
pedestrian or vehicular circulation onto or off of the property on
which it is located. I. No sign shall be placed on rocks, trees, or on poles
maintained by public utilities or on any public property unless
H. No motor vehicle shall be parked in any zone under circumstances specifically granted by the governing body.
reasonably indicating an intent to make principal use of such motor
vehicle as a sign for any person, firm, group, organization, place, J. No sign may be located in a public easement
commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or
industry. K. No such sign shall project over or into any street right-of-way
I. No sign shall be permitted which contains statements, words or or project above the parapet wall or roofline.
pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character or such as will
offend public morals or decency. L. Signs shall be maintained in good condition. The Zoning
Administrator may order the removal of any sign, sign

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J. No sign shall be placed on rocks, trees or on poles maintained by structure, or awning that is not maintained in accordance
public utilities. with this Code.
M. No sign shall be permitted which becomes unsafe or
endangers the safety of a building, premises or person. The
Zoning Administrator (or their representative) is authorized
to order such signs to be made safe or be removed. Such
order shall be complied with within five business days of the
receipt of such order.
N. Signs shall not cover any architectural details such as, but not
limited to, arches, sills, moldings, cornices, and transom
windows.
O. A sign must not overlap, block, nor interfere with the ability
to see any other permitted sign.
P. All lighting and electrical elements such as wires, conduit,
junction boxes, transformers, ballasts, switches, and panel
boxes shall be concealed from view.
Q. Where a lot fronts on more than one street, only the square
footage computed for each street frontage shall face that
street.
A. Temporary A and T Frame signs must receive a permit from
the City Department of Public Works (DPW) and must follow
DPW regulations for such signs.
164-120 Signs not requiring permits 164-120 Signs Not Requiring Permits
The following signs are permitted without a permit in any zone, A. Traffic control devices on private or public property that must
provided that the following conditions are adhered to: be erected and maintained to comply with the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted in the State of

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A. Signs indicating the name and/or premises or accessory use of a Maryland and if not adopted by the State of Maryland with
home for a home occupation, its residents or professional purposes, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by
not exceeding one square foot in area. the Federal Highway Administration.
B. Signs, not exceeding 30 square feet, on a farm advertising farm B. Where a federal, state, or local law requires a property owner
products primarily grown on the premises, provided that they are to post a sign on the owner’s
located off the highway right-of-way and do not interfere with traffic property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the
visibility. property either generally or specifically, the owner must
comply with the federal, state or local law to exercise that
C. Any directional or informational or historic marker of a public or authority by posting a sign on their property or to safely move
quasi-public nature, such as those containing the meeting date of a vehicles throughout the property. Traffic Control
community or civic club, the advertising of an event of public interest
or noncommercial information for the convenience of the traveling C. Each property owner must mark their property using
public. numerals that identify the address of the
property so that public safety departments can easily identify
D. Temporary real estate signs, not exceeding eight square feet and the address from the public street. Such markings must be
located on and advertising the subject property for sale or lease. located on the principal building or the mailbox. However, in
cases where the principal building is not located within view
E. Freestanding signs or signs attached to fences no larger than two of the public street, the identifier shall be located on the
square feet warning the public against trespassing, dangerous mailbox.
animals or the like.
D. A flag that has been adopted by any government may be
F. Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising a product, displayed as provided under the law that adopts or regulates
service or entertainment. its use.
G. Building contractors' and professional persons' temporary signs on E. If only the advertising (content) of the sign changes.
buildings or subdivisions under construction, limited to a total area
for all such signs on said buildings or subdivisions of 150 square feet F. Wording on gravestones, tombs, and other types of
during the period of construction. internments at a burial ground.
H. Temporary signs, not exceeding 30 square feet in area, announcing G. Directional devise not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or
religious organization. Such signs may not be posted more than one

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month before and may not be displayed beyond seven days after
such campaign, drive or event.
I. Political campaign signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking
public political office and other data pertinent thereto shall be
permitted up to a total area of nine square feet for each premises in a
residential zone and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial
zone. The signs shall be confined within private property and shall not
be less than 15 feet or the back edge of the sidewalk, whichever is
greater, and 100 feet from the nearest curb intersection of any street
or road.
H. Temporary Signs provided that:
(1.) Temporary Sign(s) must be located so that they do not
impede the flow of, nor constitute a safety hazard to,
motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; do not impede nor
be a danger to public safety.
(2.) Temporary Signs can be externally or internally
illuminated; however, all light must shine directly on the
sign and no light may spillover off the sign face. No
internally illuminated sign may produce more than ??
Foot-candles of brightness from ?? feet from the sign. No
light can radiate off such internally lit sign and spill over
any property line.
(3.) Each property is allowed one temporary sign no greater
than six (6) feet in area located on any public sidewalk.
Such temporary sign must obtain a “Sidewalk Use Permit”
issued by City DPW.

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(4.) Temporary signs shall not be attached, in any way, to any
utility poles, utility cabinets, streetlights, fire hydrants,
trees, traffic enforcement devices, traffic control devices,
and any infrastructure owned by a governmental agency
or public utility;
(5.) One temporary sign is allowed on each property not to
exceed six (6) square feet.
(6.) One temporary sign not to exceed 32 square feet on
property that is being offered for sale given the following:
[1.] Such property is being offered for sale through a licensed real
estate agent;
[2.] If not offered for sale through a real estate agent, when that
property is offered for sale
through advertising in a local newspaper of general
circulation; and
[3.] For a period of 15 days following the date on which a contract of
sale has been executed by a person purchasing the property.
(7.) One temporary sign, not to exceed 32 square feet, may
be located on the owner’s property on a day when the
property owner is opening the property to the public.
Such sign is only permitted ten days per year.
(8.) Ten temporary signs, not to exceed six (6) feet in area,
may be located on a property during the 31-day period
from December 1 to January 1;

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(9.) Five temporary signs, not to exceed six (6) feet in area,
may be located on a property during the 10-day period
from June 25 to July 5;
(10.) One temporary sign may be located on the owner’s
property for a period of thirty (30) days prior to an
election involving candidates for a federal, state or local
office that represents the district in which the property is
located.