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Liquor Store Signage

July 21, 2015

Presenter

Frank W. Ward, Chief - CPIS

Regulatory Authority

• The County is authorized to regulate signs under

Chapter 297 – Article XIX, of the Code of Charles

County, Zoning Ordinance– Signs.

• Compliance with the Zoning Ordinance is achieved

through either Permit Application (Green Card) or

complaints received by the Department.

Building Code Compliance

• New signs require building permit

• Inspected for Code compliance

• Any facade changes require Zoning review only

• Banner licenses

Typical Violations

• Interior building window signs that cover more

than 25% of the transparent portions of the

windows or doors they are attached to.

• Posting of posters, signs, or banners to the sides

of the building, fences or other areas on their

property.

• Digital variable message board signs that are too

bright, include animations or change more than

once every 10 seconds.

• Signs placed without Permit

Violation Process • PGM follows a “standard operating procedure” or

SOP for all violations:

• Initial inspection by County staff to determine if a violation

exists.

• Property owner is mailed a violation letter notifying them

of the non-compliant condition on the property that

includes a 15 day deadline.

• After 15 days, the property is re-inspected for compliance.

If the property is still in violation, the case is referred to the

County Attorney’s Office for further action.

Statistics

• PGM does not specifically track liquor store sign

enforcement statistics, but sign inspections by

calendar year are as follows:

• CY2012 – 1678 Sign Inspections

• CY2013 – 1361 Sign Inspections

• CY2014 – 1732 Sign Inspections

• To date the County has one Judgment for $848.00

for illegal signs removed from the Public Rights of

Way.

Fine Process

• Fines only for work without a permit

• Zoning violations: No fine except by Court Order

Questions?

Presented by:

Charles County Government

Planning & Growth Management Peter Aluotto - Director

P.O. Box 2150

301-645-0627

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov

Mission Statement

The mission of Charles County Government is to

provide our citizens the highest quality service

possible in a timely, efficient, and courteous

manner. To achieve this goal, our government must

be operated in an open and accessible atmosphere,

be based on comprehensive long- and short-term

planning, and have an appropriate managerial

organization tempered by fiscal responsibility.

We support and encourage efforts to grow a

diverse workplace.

Vision Statement

Charles County is a place where all people thrive

and businesses grow and prosper; where the

preservation of our heritage and environment is

paramount, where government services to its

citizens are provided at the highest level of

excellence; and where the quality of life is

the best in the nation.