Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services to Conduct ‘Sign Sweep’ on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to Remove Illegally Placed Signs

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will conduct a “sign sweep” on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to remove signs illegally placed in public rights-of-way throughout the County. These signs include campaign signs that may have been posted in the right-of-way leading up to the Nov. 5  general election.

The “sign sweep” will take place on County-maintained roads. DPS will not be removing signs from private property.

DPS Zoning and Code Compliance Section Manager Greg Nichols said DPS inspectors and field supervisors will be forming teams to target assigned areas around the County as they have done in the past. Staff will be wearing brightly colored vests for safety and will not be stopping their vehicles in the middle of the road to remove any signs.

“Our staff’s safety is paramount,” said Section Manager Nichols. “We removed about 1,400 signs during our last sign sweep two years ago and not all of these were campaign signs. As we have done in similar clean-ups, we will be removing any illegally placed sign in the public right-of-way, and staff will then transport the signs to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station in Derwood for disposal.”

Residents can report illegal signs at any time online by visiting the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps and clicking on the “property complaint” button. When entering the information online, it is important to provide the address of the property complaint and a description of the issue. Complaints can be submitted anonymously.

To report illegal signs along State roadways, go to the Maryland State Highway Administration online complaint form at marylandsha.secure.force.com/customercare/request_for_service.

For more information about the Montgomery County Code and signs, visit Chapter 59 Zoning Section 6.7.7. Signs in the Public Right-of-Way.

For questions about the sign sweep, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311 outside the County limits.

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Release ID: 24-505
Media Contact: Sonya Burke 240-855-9813
Categories: Public Safety