Liquor Store Signage - BoardDocs, a Diligent Brand
Transcript of Liquor Store Signage - BoardDocs, a Diligent Brand
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.