Section 600. Sign Regulations
Section 600.1
A. General. Subject to Sections 600.3, 600.4 and 600.5 below, all signs, billboards or advertising structures of any kind are prohibited except upon application to and written permission from the ARC. Flags that may constitute or be considered signs in the reasonably exercised discretion of the CPI Department, based on their content, how they are used, and how they are displayed, are governed and treated as signs under these Regulations.

B. Intent. Subject to Sections 600.3, 600.4 and 600.5 below, the ARC will permit temporary signs only if it deems them essential and in the general interest of the community, do not adversely affect property values and strictly adhere to the criteria below.

Section 600.2 General Criteria.
The criteria in this section apply to permitted signs unless otherwise stated in applicable subsections of Section 600.3, Section 600.4, or Section 600.5.
A. Size. Signs shall be a maximum of four (4) square feet provided no side shall be greater than 38 inches.
B. Height. Signs shall be installed so as not to exceed five (5) feet from ground level to top of sign.
C. Location. No sign shall be nailed, or in any way fastened, to trees. All signs shall be located between the front property line and the structure and may be parallel or perpendicular to the street. No signs will be permitted to be placed in the right of way, in easement areas or on any structure owned or operated by the Association.
D. Materials. Wood is recommended. However, dependent upon purpose and time span involved, other materials may be considered. In any case, the material must be substantial enough, as determined by the CPI Department, to not fall quickly into a state of disrepair.
E. Colors. Preferably, all signs are to have a natural wood or brown background with complimentary color letters.
F. Wording. Wording shall be clear and concise and be limited to pertinent information.
G. Number. In addition to an address plate, only one (1) sign of any type shall be permitted on any numbered lot.
H. Placement. Signs must be placed no sooner than the approved date and removed within three days of the removal date. All placements and removals are the responsibility of the person signing the application.

Section 600.3 Specific Sign Criteria.
A. Name and/or Address Plate. A name and/or address plate will be permitted for the purpose of identification of the owner or occupant of a dwelling or building. The sign shall be limited in area to two (2) square feet and may be affixed to a permanent post (i.e., lamp post) or stand on its own, or may be attached to the structure, with no height limitation. These signs shall not require written approval from the ARC if they conform to the criteria of Section 600.2, as modified by this paragraph.
B. Construction Sign. One temporary sign will be permitted for the purpose of identifying the principal contractor or vendor performing improvement or new construction work. Wording is limited to contractor's name, telephone number, logo and MHIC number. Franchises, slogan, addresses, etc. will not be permitted. The sign shall be located behind the front property line. The sign shall not be posted prior to the issuance of the CPI Department construction permit and shall be removed within one (1) week following exterior completion of work (including landscaping), and/or prior to occupancy. In any event the sign shall not be posted for a period longer than one (l) year. The sign shall conform to the criteria as stated in Section 600.2 as modified in this paragraph.
C. Real Estate Agency Signs. No real estate agency sign or logo of any type shall be permitted on any numbered lot, in any median strip or elsewhere in Ocean Pines other than Open House signs as described in Section 600.3F below.
D. Real Estate For Sale or Lease Signs. A temporary sign limited to one per lot, for the purpose of advertising real estate for sale or lease by owner may be placed on any lot. Wording of such signs is limited to "For Sale by Owner" or "For Rent by Owner" and the "owners" telephone number. These signs shall not require written approval from the ARC if they conform to Section 600.2 as modified by this paragraph.
E. Real Estate Stakes. In lieu of real estate agency signs, property corner stakes identifying the agency may be used for the purpose of locating a lot. These stakes shall not be greater than 2" x 2" or 1" x 3". The top shall not be higher than 3' above ground and shall be painted with not more than three colors to identify a realtor. An "Application for Real Estate Stake Approval" shall be submitted to the CPI Department for the purpose of recording color combination to avoid duplication. Applications must be renewed annually. Where such stakes are used, no other identification, such as allowed in Section 600.3D, will be permitted.
F. Open House Signs. Builders, owners, and real estate agencies may apply for annual approval of such signs, using the "Open House Sign Application" available at the CPI Department Office. All open house signs must adhere to the general criteria of Section 600.2 as modified by this subsection. The following restrictions
1. All signs shall be self-standing.
2. Signs shall be restricted to the wording "Open House", directional arrows, and the permit number. No advertising matter or logos may appear on the signs. Balloons will not be attached to the signs.
3. One sign may be placed on the median strip of Ocean Parkway at the nearest intersecting road. Other signs may be placed at intersecting roads for the purpose of indicating a change in direction only.
4. Display of signs shall be limited to daylight hours.
G. Real Estate Flags. Real Estate flags are not allowed.
H. Brochure Boxes. Realtor, Construction Company and/or owner’s sales brochures can be placed on properties in brochure boxes. Two designs for the box are approved. One design is similar in size to a straight mailbox and painted to match sign criteria colors (e.g. brown with orange or yellow lettering) or clear. The second design approved for the box is like the type of boxes that are used to hold various newspapers and shall also match the sign criteria colors or be clear. If at any time a brochure box becomes unsightly or a public nuisance, the CPI Department shall have the right to remove the box.
I. Yard, Garage, Rummage, Etc. Sale Signs. Signs for yard or garage sales shall be limited for use only on Saturdays and Sundays during the hours of 6:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Signs shall conform to the requirements of Section 600.2, as modified by this paragraph, and may not be attached to trees, road signs or any permanent structure. Signs are prohibited on the Route 589 side of the North Gate Bridge. At the South Gate, signs are limited to placement at the intersection of Manklin Creek Road and Ocean Parkway. No signs are permitted on Cathell Road. It is the responsibility of the person or persons that place any signs for yard sales to remove all signs by 5:00 pm. on the last permitted sale date. Yard sales are limited to a total of four (4) per year per developed lot.
J. Advertising and Direction Signs for Temporary Functions of Community Organizations and Churches. Any color combination may be used when the sign is four (4) square feet in area, or under. Any sign over four (4) square feet must be approved by the ARC on an individual basis. Signs may be placed on common property and on lots only with the permission of the lot owner. Signs advertising an event may be placed no sooner than three (3) weeks prior to the start of the event. Direction signs may be placed no sooner twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the event. All signs must be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of the event. Approval of the ARC is required. Permits may be granted for three (3) consecutive years for an annually recurring event.

600.4 Political Candidate and Referendum Signs. (See definitions in Glossary)*
A. Property Owner Approval. Candidate signs and referendum signs may not be displayed on any developed lot or vacant lot without approval of the property owner.
B. Common Property. The Association shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Political signs (candidate signs and referendum signs) and political displays or literature are prohibited from being placed or distributed on or in any property, right-of-way, building, bulletin board, structure, road sign or tree owned by, or under control of the Association.
C. Time Period. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 600.4, candidate signs and referendum signs are permitted to be posted on or within Ocean Pines lots/properties which are not owned by the Association, for a period of thirty (30) days immediately prior to the election in which the advertised candidate is running for public office or the advertised referendum question is to be voted upon, and for a period of seven (7) days after the election in which the advertised candidate is running for public office or the advertised referendum question is to be voted upon.
D. Specifications. The general criteria set forth in Section 600.2 shall not apply to candidate signs and referendum signs.

Section 600.5 Ocean Pines Board Candidate and Referendum Signs. (See definitions in Glossary)**
A. Property Owner Approval. Board Candidate and Ocean Pines Referendum signs may not be displayed on any developed lot or vacant lot without approval of the property owner.
B. Specifications. Board Candidate and Ocean Pines Referendum signs must be in conformance with Section 600.2 but may be in any color or material.
C. Time Period. Board Candidate signs and Ocean Pines referendum signs must be taken down within seven (7) days after the election in which the advertised candidate is running or the meeting at which the advertised referendum question is to be voted upon.
Section 600.6 Unauthorized Signs and Flags.
A. Removal of Unauthorized Signs and Flags. Any sign placed in or upon common elements of the Association and not adhering to the requirements and restrictions of these regulations may be immediately removed by an authorized agent of the Association.
B. Disposition of Unauthorized Signs Seized by Association. As to signs seized by the Association pursuant to section 600.6.A., the CPI Department will attempt to contact the owner of the sign or flag. Owners may recover signs and flags from the CPI Department. Signs not recovered within 15 days will be destroyed.

*Political Candidate - The term “candidate” as used herein shall mean persons seeking or campaigning for public office in a general, primary, or special election who have filed for candidacy and have been certified as a candidate in said election for public office.

Political Candidate Sign - as used herein shall mean a sign on behalf of a candidate for public office or a slate of candidates for public office.

Referendum Sign - as used herein shall mean a sign that advertises the support or defeat of any question submitted to the voters in accordance with the Maryland Election Law Article.

**Ocean Pines Board Candidate - as used herein shall mean a person who has been approved as an eligible candidate for election to the Ocean Pines Board.

Ocean Pines Board Candidate Sign - as used herein shall mean a sign on behalf of a candidate for election to the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors.

Ocean Pines Board Referendum Sign - as used herein shall mean a sign that advertises the support or defeat of any referendum question submitted to the Ocean Pines voters in accordance with the Ocean Pines Association governing documents.