§ 17-101. Purpose.

(a) In general.

The reasonable and adequate display of signs is allowed under this title.

(b) Need to regulate.

There is a substantial need to regulate the display of signs through the adoption of this title to address the following concerns:

(1) the number, size, design characteristics, and locations of signs in the City directly affect the public health, safety, and welfare; and

(2) many signs are distracting and dangerous to motorists and pedestrians, are confusing to the public, are poorly located, and substantially detract from the beauty and appearance of the City.

(c) Limitations and standards.

The purposes and intent for the enactment of this title are:

(1) to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the people in Baltimore City and to implement the policies and objectives of the City of Baltimore through the enactment of a comprehensive set of regulations governing signs in the City of Baltimore;

(2) to regulate the erection and placement of signs within the City of Baltimore in order to provide safe operating conditions for pedestrian and vehicular traffic without unnecessary and unsafe distractions to drivers or pedestrians;

(3) to maintain an aesthetically attractive city in which specific types of signs are allowed in zoning districts consistent with the uses, intent, and aesthetic characteristics of those districts;

(4) to establish comprehensive sign regulations that balance legitimate business and development needs with a safe and aesthetically attractive environment for residents, workers, and visitors to the City of Baltimore;

(5) to provide fair and reasonable opportunities for the identification of businesses located within the City of Baltimore;

(6) to provide for the identification of the availability of products, goods or services of businesses located within the City of Baltimore and to promote the economic vitality of these businesses;

(7) to ensure the protection of free speech rights under the State and United States Constitutions within the City of Baltimore and in no event place restrictions that apply to any given sign dependent entirely on the communicative content of the sign;

(8) to allow signs that are, safe, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this title; and

(9) to prohibit all signs not expressly authorized by this title, to provide for the maintenance of signs, and to provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this title.