Westminster, MD, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to hear public comments on a proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 158, Zoning, of the Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances of Carroll County. The hearing will begin no sooner than 9:00 am at the county office building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster, room 003.

The proposed Ordinance relates to use-off-the-premises signage, also known as billboards, which are regulated by §158.115 of county Zoning Regulations.  The proposal for a text amendment was referred to and discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) in October 2025, December 2025, and January 2026.  PZC recommendations were presented to the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on February 5, 2026.

The proposed amendments would allow for the consolidation of existing billboards into a single billboard. Currently, owners of existing billboards are only permitted to rebuild, replace, and sometimes convert them to digital, in the same location as the existing signs.

To comment on the proposed legislation, please attend the hearing on April 16th or email the Commissioners, prior to the date of the hearing, at commissioners@carrollcountymd.gov. The Commissioners may make amendments to the proposed legislation based upon the comments received and do so without further hearings.  Therefore, it is important for interested citizens to be present or send comments.

The proposed amendment may be reviewed by: 

1) visiting the county’s Public Hearing webpage or

2) obtaining copies in the main lobby of the County Office Building (225 North Center Street, Westminster, Maryland, 21157) during normal business hours, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

For questions about the public hearing and how to submit comments, please contact Tim Burke, County Attorney, at tburke@carrollcountymd.gov.

For questions about the proposed Ordinance, please contact Tiffany Fosset, Planner II, at tfossett@carrollcountymd.gov.

      The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or who has a complaint should contact The Department of Citizen Services, 410-386-3600 or 1-888-302-8978 or MD Relay 7-1-1/1-800-735-2258, as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.