{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-537","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Local Government § 12–537","heading":"","body":"(a) In this section, “visible from the traveled way” means capable of being\nseen, whether or not legible, without visual aid by an individual with normal visual\nacuity.\n(b) This section does not apply to:\n(1) outdoor advertising signs promoting a business or other activity\nconducted on the same property as the sign;\n(2) outdoor advertising signs located under the authority of zoning\npermits in commercial or industrial zones;\n(3) outdoor advertising signs authorized in districts zoned\ncommercial and industrial by a municipality within the boundaries of the\nmunicipality;\n(4) temporary real estate signs;\n(5) official directional signs installed by the State Highway\nAdministration or Harford County;\n(6) signs denoting places of religious worship or a historic monument,\nprovided that the signs are located in accordance with the rules and regulations of\nthe State Highway Administration; and\n(7) outdoor advertising signs erected before June 1, 1972.\n(c) In Harford County, a person may not lease, rent, use, or permit the use\nof property for the purpose of erecting an outdoor advertising sign adjacent to a State\nor county highway if the sign is visible from the traveled way of the highway.\n(d) This section may not be construed to permit the erection of an outdoor\nadvertising sign in Harford County that is otherwise prohibited by State or local law\nor by local zoning ordinance.\n(e) (1) The State Highway Administration or Harford County may\nacquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation outdoor advertising signs that are visible\nfrom the traveled way of State or county highways if the outdoor advertising signs\nwere erected before June 1, 1972.\n(2) (i) The State Highway Administration or Harford County\nshall pay just compensation for the removal of an outdoor advertising sign under this\nsection.\n(ii) Compensation may not be paid for any outdoor advertising\nsigns erected after June 1, 1972.\n(iii) Compensation may be paid only for the following:\n1. taking from the owner of the sign all right, title,\nleasehold, and interest in the sign; and\n2. taking from the owner of the property on which the\nsign is located the right to erect and maintain the sign on the property.","path":["Article - Local Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=glg\u0026section=12-537","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:58Z","sha256":"5c63b2887ed36a6db21bbc105777e6b0bbd9a91fac9ac037db944894284b389c","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-536","next":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-12-538"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}