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1. Sign Ordinance Review Committee Agenda 4-20-2022
Documents:
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA 4-20-2022.PDF
2. Sign Ordinance Review Committee Meeting Summary 2 15 2022
Documents:
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY 2 15 2022.PDF
3. Update Of The City Sign Ordinance (Section 164-124 To 164-129)
Documents:
UPDATE OF THE CITY SIGN ORDINANCE (SECTION 164-124 TO 164-129).PDF

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Sign Ordinance Review Committee
AGENDA
Tuesday, April 20, 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
February 15, 2022
III. Old Business
None
IV. New Business
Item A: Review and Discuss Draft Sign Code (Sections 164-124 to 164-129)
V. Adjournment
Next Meeting
Posted April 14, 2022

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SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 6:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Broadcasted live on the City YouTube Channel
A meeting of the Westminster Sign Ordinance Review Committee was held via Zoom and broadcasted live
on the City YouTube Channel, on February 15, 2022, at 6 PM.
Committee Members Christine Ameduri, Mike McMullin, Patrick D'Anthony, Tyler Codd, Dana Rogers, and
Dean Camlin, were present. City staff members Mark Depo and Andrew Gray were also present.
The following members of the public were present: None. Mr. Gray opened the meeting at 6:00 PM.
Mr. Gray requested a motion to approve the meeting summary from January 4, 2022. Committee member
Camlin motioned to approve the meeting summary. Committee member McMullin seconded. The motion
passed 4-0.
Item A: Review and Discuss Draft Sign Code (Sections 164-121 to 164-123) - Mr. Gray provided a brief
background of proposed sign code sections 164-121 to 164-123.
Committee member Rogers inquired about pixel ratio with different electronic signs and their associated
costs. He also mentioned that it would be more feasible for the business owner to approve of the sign
instead of both the business and property owner.
Committee member Camlin mentioned to require a drawing for proposed awnings and how awning
requirements should be in a separate section of Code.
The Committee suggested replacing square footage with sign area; distinguishing blade signs from wall
signs; keeping all signs no higher than the first floor; and sub-categories under prohibitions in windows.
Committee member Ameduri suggested making a distinction between downtown signs vs all other signs
when it comes to internally lit signs.
The Committee wanted to look at Frederick’s sign code.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Meeting Summary of February 15, 2022 Page 1 of 1

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Update of the City Sign Code (Sections 164-124 to 164-123)
Current Ordinance New Code
164-124 Structural requirements; inspection and 164-124 Non-Conforming Signs (Formally 164-125)
maintenance.
A. All signs shall comply with the pertinent requirements A. Signs which do not conform to the regulations and restrictions
of the BOCA Basic Building Code, as may be amended prescribed for the zone in which they are situated but which were
from time to time. erected in accordance with regulations in effect at the time may
remain as long as the sign is not structurally altered in anyway and
B. Signs for which a permit is required shall be inspected shall be regarded as legal non-nonconforming signs .
periodically by the Zoning Administrator for
compliance with this article and the other laws of the B. No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, reconstructed, structurally
City. altered, or relocated unless the moving will relocate the sign into a
zone in which it would conform after receiving the proper City
C. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good approvals.
repair and in a safe, neat, clean and attractive
condition.
D. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to adopt rules
and regulations to ensure that signs are constructed,
licensed and maintained in accordance with this
article.
164-125 Nonconforming signs 164-125 Electronic Signs
A. Signs which do not conform to the regulations and A. Display only static messages that remain constant in illumination
restrictions prescribed for the zone in which they are intensity and do not have movement or the appearance or optical
situated but which were erected in accordance with illusion of movement;
regulations in effect at the time may remain as long as
the use advertised remains. B. Not operate at an intensity level of more than 0.3 foot-candles over
ambient light as measured at a distance of one hundred and fifty
B. No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, (150) feet.
reconstructed or altered in any manner nor shall it be

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worded to advertise any other use than was C. Be equipped with a fully operational light sensor that automatically
advertised at the time it became nonconforming. adjusts the intensity of the sign display according to the amount of
ambient light;
C. No nonconforming sign shall be moved on the same
lot or to any other lot unless the moving will relocate D. Change from one message to another message no more frequently
the sign into a zone in which it would conform. than once every ten (10) seconds and the actual change process is
accomplished in two (1) second or less;
D. Any sign which is not in conformity with the provisions
of this article shall be subject to removal in accordance E. Be designed to either freeze the display in one static position, display
with § 164-126. a full black screen, or turn off in the event of a malfunction: and
F. Not be authorized until the building official is provided evidence that
best industry practices for eliminating or reducing uplight and light
trespass were considered and built into the electronic sign function.
164-126 Removal 164-126 Freestanding Monument Signs
A. The Zoning Administrator shall order the removal of G. Freestanding monument signs, as permitted, may be located
any sign erected or maintained in violation of this anywhere on the premises, except in a required side or rear yard and
article. Ten days' notice in writing shall be given to the within five (5) feet of a street right-of-way.
owner of such sign or of the building, structure or
premises on which such sign is located to remove the H. The height of a freestanding monument sign shall not exceed 12
sign or to bring it into compliance with this article. feet. If the proposed height exceeds 12 feet but does not exceed 20
Upon failure to remove the sign or to comply with this feet in height, the Commission may review and consider approval.
notice or an appeal taken timely to the Board of The City nor the BZA can approve any sign over 20 feet in height.
Appeals, the Zoning Administrator may cause the sign
to be removed. The Zoning Administrator may remove I. For Residential Developments approved by the Commission
the sign immediately and without notice if it (including subdivision identification) the maximum size and number
reasonably appears that the condition of the sign is of signs that the owner or owners of the residential development
such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of may erect and maintain at the entrances to the development shall
the public. Any costs of removal incurred by the Zoning be controlled according to the following:
Administrator shall be assessed to the owner of the
property on which such sign is located and may be
collected in the manner of ordinary debt or in the

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manner of taxes, and such charge shall be a lien on the 1. Residential developments four (4) acres or less in area may have
property. a sign with a total area of no more than thirty-two (32) square
feet and six feet in height.
B. The remedy contained in Subsection A is not exclusive
and is in addition to the right of the City to institute 2. Residential developments over four (4) acres but less than forty
appropriate legal proceedings. (40) acres in area may have a sign with a total area of no more
than forty-eight (48) square feet and six feet in height.
3. Residential developments of forty (40) acres or more in area may
have up to two signs with a total area of no more than sixty-four
(64) square feet and six feet in height.
164-127 Abandonment 164-127 Violations, and Penalties
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the A. Signs which were nonconforming to the prior Ordinance, have not
premises upon which the sign is located when the business received an approved Application for Sign or Awning issued by the
which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If City of Westminster, and which do not conform to this Code shall be
the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Zoning removed immediately at the owners expense.
Administrator may remove it in accordance with § 164-126.
These removal provisions shall not apply where a succeeding B. No nonconforming sign shall be moved on the same lot or to any
owner or lessee conducts the same type of business and other lot unless the moving will relocate the sign into a zone in
agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this article or which it will conform.
changes the copy on the signs to advertise the type of
business being conducted on the premises, provided that the C. Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
signs comply with the other provisions of this article. and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the penalty contained in §
164-159.
164-128 Appeals 164-128 Appeals
Upon denial of a sign permit or an order of removal by the A. Upon denial of an Application for Sign or Awning or an order of
Zoning Administrator or where a variance is denied, the sign removal by the Zoning Administrator or their representative, the
owner or owner of the property on which a sign is located may sign owner or owner of the property on which a sign is located may
file an appeal within 30 days of the date of action of the file an appeal within 30 days of the date of action of the Zoning

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Zoning Administrator to the Board of Appeals. The appeal shall Administrator to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The appeal shall be in
be in writing in such form as required by the Board. writing in such form as required by the Board.
164-129 Violations and Penalties
Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the
penalty contained in § 164-159.