STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015	Jul. 01, 2011	May 01, 2004
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	512,459	870,450	38,032
Treasury Stock Retired Cost Method Amount	$ 13,273	$ 22,624	$ 910
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Member]
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Abstract]
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Description	The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan that is sponsored and administered by Computershare Shareholder Services as independent agent, which enables current shareholders as well as first-time buyers to purchase and sell common stock of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. directly through Computershare at low commissions. Participants may reinvest cash dividends and make periodic supplemental cash payments to purchase additional shares.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Additional Dividends Potential Payment	$ 27,000
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Member] | Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Issuer	Capital Trust
Debt Instrument Face Amount	$ 35,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	$ 30,000
Common Stock | Current Repurchase Program [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Program Shares Authorized To Acquire Outstanding Common Stock Percentage				5.00%
Repurchase of outstanding shares of common stock under Stock Repurchase Program				1,200,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	512,459	870,450	38,032
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	$ 13,300	$ 22,600	$ 900
Common Stock | Director Plan [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares authorized but unissued						45,000
Shares available for issuance	25,291
Common Stock | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares authorized but unissued					300,000
Shares available for issuance	156,475
Share Exercise Price Description	Shares are purchased at 85% of the fair market value on the exercise date through monthly payroll deductions of not less than 1% or more than 10% of cash compensation paid in the month