For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Montgomery County Councilmember Leventhal
introduces measure to prohibit all
temporary signs in rights-of-way
ZTA 16-06 would help eliminate signs that
are both a safety hazard and an eyesore
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 21, 2016—A Zoning Text Amendment that would prohibit all non-permanent signs in public rights-of-way in Montgomery County and would specify enforcement procedures was introduced today before the Montgomery County Council. Councilmember George Leventhal, the lead sponsor of ZTA 16-06, says that the increasing number of temporary signs are both a safety hazard and an eyesore. Councilmembers Sidney Katz and Nancy Navarro are co-sponsors.
All private temporary signs in Montgomery County's public rights-of-way are illegal. The current code allows for such signs by permit, but the Department of Permitting Services has no applications or permits on file. Councilmember believes that the possibility of a limited duration sign by way of a permit only complicates any enforcement action. Adding enforcement actions in the code will provide notice to potential violators of the consequences of their actions.
ZTA 16-06 would delete the entire category of signs called “limited duration signs.” Such signs on private property would continue to be allowed as a "temporary sign.” Temporary signs would be redefined to be restricted only by the type of material used and not the duration of the sign.
Under current law, a sign in the right-of-way is prohibited, except for signs erected by a government agency or utility company in the performance of its public duties.
As a general rule, the right of way extends 10 feet beyond the curb. A median is always in the right of way.
“Everyone is aware of the proliferation of signs around roadways all over our County,” said Councilmember Leventhal. “In addition to being eyesores, the simple fact is, when people are reading signs, they are not watching the road and for other vehicles, they are not watching for people riding bicycles, they are not watching for pedestrians. The money of taxpayers goes for mowing and maintaining rights-of-way, and the intent of those tax dollars is not to have cleared areas for commercial businesses or candidates for office use those spaces. This legislation will provide the enforcement power needed to keep our rights-of-way open and make our roads safer.”
Currently, there are no permits issued for signs in rights-of-way. Under the proposed ZTA, permits would not be issued.
Violations for erecting signs under the proposed law would Class A civil violations. The fine for a first offense would be $500. Each violation thereafter would incur a fine of $750. Each day of violation is a new offense.
A public hearing on ZTA 16-06 is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
More information on ZTA 16-06 is available at http://tinyurl.com/z46hnr4 .
# # # # Release ID: 16-200