The following signs are exempt from regulation under this section except for those stated in §
205-227:
A. Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that
are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of
a commercial nature, such as:
(1) Signs giving property identification names or numbers
or names of occupants.
(2) Signs on mailboxes or newspaper tubes.
(3) Signs posted on private property relating to private
parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.
B. Signs erected by, on behalf of or pursuant to the
authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, identification
and informational signs and traffic, directional or regulatory signs.
C. Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by
public utilities.
D. Flags, pennants or insignia of any governmental or
nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial
promotion or as an advertising device.
E. Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings
or works of art, so long as such features or works do not contain
letters, trademarks, moving parts, light or a picture of the product
the business is selling.
F. Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property
that do not exceed six square feet in area that only guide or direct
traffic on the property that it is placed.
G. Church bulletin boards, church identification signs
and church directional signs that do not exceed one sign per abutting
street and 16 square feet in area and that are not internally illuminated.
H. Signs forming an integral part of fuel-dispensing
pumps, vending machines or service appliances.
I. On-premises signs for seasonal sale of produce grown
on the premises, no larger than 32 square feet in area.
J. Temporary, nonilluminated, political signs, not more
than 32 square feet in area, to be removed within 15 days following
the election. Removal shall be the responsibility of the candidate
and/or the erector of the sign.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING FRONT
The area (in square feet) of the part of a building facing
the front street, calculated by multiplying the length times the height
of the part of the building facing the street.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign with two parallel or nearly parallel faces, back to
back and located not more than 36 inches from each other.
ILLUMINATED ARCHITECTURAL CANOPY SIGN
An enclosed illuminated structure that is attached to the
wall of a building with the face of the sign approximately parallel
to the wall and with the message integrated into or onto its surface.
[Added 2-9-1993 by Ord. No. 93-01]
A.
Area:
(1)
In applying sign area limits, only the area
occupied by the message of the illuminated architectural canopy sign
will be used.
(2)
The area of the sign shall be calculated by
multiplying the length of the sign by the width of the sign. No portion
of the sign's construction to project the sign from the wall shall
be included within the area calculation. The height and width shall
be determined by dimensions which will most closely enclose all lettering
and logos within straight lines.
(3)
Each side of an awning on which advertising
is printed shall constitute a separate sign.
B.
Construction. The supporting frame of an illuminated
architectural canopy sign shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.
The canopy surface, including the enclosing soffit, shall be of an
approved light-transmitting material. The fabric shall be classified
as nonflammable under appropriate State of Delaware and Kent County
regulations.
C.
Clearance. Illuminated architectural canopy
signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the sidewalk
grade or edge of roadway grade nearest the sign and shall not be located
closer than two feet from the curb of any roadway as defined by the
County's subdivision regulations.
D.
Emergency personnel access. Each sign shall
comply with all other design and construction standards established
by the County's Zoning Chapter and any other applicable County regulations.
No part of any awning shall project within two feet of any established
fire lane.
E.
Illumination. The sign shall be internally illuminated
so as to illuminate the canopy and the exterior wall below. The illuminated
architectural canopy sign shall bear the electric sign label of an
approved testing agency with a reinspection service.
ILLUMINATION (INDIRECT) (GROUND)
A sign which does not produce artificial light from within
itself, but which is opaque and backlighted or illuminated by spotlights
or floodlights not part of or attached to the sign itself, or a sign
of translucent nontransparent material illuminated from within but
with no exposed or exterior bulbs, tubes or other light source.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign designed to give forth artificial light or designed
to reflect light from one or more sources of artificial light erected
for the purpose of providing light for the sign.
SIGN AREA
That area within a line, including the outer extremities
of all letters, figures, characters and delineations, or within a
line, including the outer extremities of the framework or background
of the sign, whichever line includes the larger area. The support
for the sign background, whether it be columns, a pylon or a building
or part thereof, shall not be included in the sign area. Only one
side of a double-faced sign shall be included in a computation of
sign area; for other signs with more than one face, each side shall
be included in a computation of sign area. The area of a cylindrical
sign shall be computed by multiplying one-half of the circumference
by the height of the sign.
SIGN HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the street grade or the average
lot grade at the front setback line, whichever is greater, to the
highest point of the sign.
SIGN SETBACK
The number of feet from the property line to the front edge
of the sign.
SINGLE-FACED WALL-MOUNT SIGN
Any sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of,
or erected or painted on the outside wall of, a building and supported
throughout its length by such wall or building and not extending more
than 16 inches from the building wall.
[Added 6-22-2004 by Ord. No. 04-15]
A. Purpose. In recognition that large developments and complexes have signage needs that may not be adequately addressed by the standard sign regulations of Chapter
205, Article
XVIII, this section is specifically intended to establish an optional procedure for approval of comprehensive signage plans for such projects.
B. Qualifications. Comprehensive signage plans may only
be submitted in conjunction with the following types of development
projects:
(1)
Major subdivisions and residential developments
involving more than one DelDOT approved entrance or involving 200
or more dwelling units, planned unit developments, and cluster subdivisions.
(2)
Any shopping center, or group of three or more
nonresidential principal structures under common management and located
on one or more contiguous properties.
(3)
Any institutional complex, professional office,
medical or educational campus, or business park.
C. Standards. Comprehensive signage plans shall comply
with the following standards:
(1)
Comprehensive signage plans may not be held
to the size, height, number and area regulations for signs found in
other sections of this article. However, the number, type and size
of signs proposed shall not be excessive and must be in proportion
to the scale of the buildings and the uses planned for the site.
(2)
All proposed signage shall be designed and coordinated
with the overall architectural concept for the buildings on the site.
Sign type, color scheme, size, and illumination shall be coordinated
and compatible with the architecture of the development so as to formulate
a thematic sign plan for the site.
(3)
Wall-mounted signs shall be coordinated with
the overall design theme of the site and designed as an integral component
of the facades of buildings.
(4)
Site landscaping shall be designed to complement
and not conflict with sign placements.
(5)
No off-premises signage will be permitted as
part of an application for a comprehensive signage plan.
D. Approval process.
(1)
Comprehensive signage plans shall be submitted
for review by the Regional Planning Commission for the purpose of
providing commentary and recommendations to the Levy Court. The Levy
Court shall have approval authority over comprehensive signage plans.
(2)
Applicants may submit a comprehensive signage plan in conjunction with, and as a component of, any application that meets the qualifications of §
205-231.1B above, for review and consideration by the Regional Planning Commission and Levy Court.
(3)
Owners of existing developments or previously approved but not completed developments, or successors in interest thereto, including but not limited to legally created homeowners associations, that own and control subdivision identification signage in subdivisions that meet the qualifications of §
205-231.1B, above may submit a comprehensive signage plan for consideration as a conditional use site plan in accordance with the procedures set forth in §
187-40 of this Code.
(4)
Sign permits shall be obtained for each sign
approved for installation as part of a comprehensive signage plan
prior to the installation or placement of the sign.
E. Submission requirements. The following minimum submission
materials shall accompany any request for consideration of a comprehensive
signage plan:
(1)
A site plan which details the signage proposal
to include the physical location of all existing and proposed signs
on the property and their relationship to all existing and/or proposed
buildings, structures, streets, parking areas, stormwater management
ponds, and all other physical features of the site.
(2)
Fully dimensioned elevation drawings of each
proposed sign. Proposed wall-mounted signs shall be illustrated as
a component of the architectural elevation drawing of the building
facade.
(3)
Colored renderings of each proposed sign.
(4)
Miscellaneous specifications to include proposed
illumination type, mounting details, and materials proposed.
F. Regional Planning Commission and Levy Court considerations.
In considering approval of comprehensive signage plans, the Regional
Planning Commission and Levy Court shall take into consideration the
public health, safety, and welfare, the comfort and convenience of
the public in general, and of the residents, businesses, and property
owners in the immediate vicinity in particular, and shall ensure that
qualifying developments are afforded adequate, but not excessive signage.
The following signs shall be permitted in the
agricultural and residential districts, subject to the following provisions:
A. Signs for subdivisions or apartment complexes:
(1) One identification sign giving the name of the subdivision
or multifamily development may be placed at each roadway entry point.
The sign may not exceed 32 square feet in area for the main entry,
16 square feet in area for each other entry, or a height of six feet
above grade.
(2) Instead of the main entry sign provided for in Subsection
A(1) above, one sign may be located at each side of the main roadway entry point. Each sign may not exceed 15 square feet in area, the total area shall be 30 square feet or less, and the height of each sign may not exceed six feet above grade.
(3) Directional signs at each roadway entry point for
subareas or activity areas, not to exceed four square feet in area,
or a height of five feet above grade. The total maximum signing area
for all such signs shall be six square feet per entrance.
(4) One identification sign located at and for each subarea
and/or activity designated on the directional signs, not exceeding
four square feet in area, or a height of three feet above grade.
B. Permitted signs for an individual lot, structure or
unit:
(1) One information sign, not exceeding four square feet
in area, or a height of six feet above grade giving property name,
occupant and/or address.
(2) One information sign for each entry in a multifamily
structure, not to exceed two square feet in area.
(3) One identification sign identifying a permitted professional
office/studio home occupation not to exceed six square feet in area
or a height of five feet above grade.
(4) Signs for nonresidential uses other than home occupations. Each sign shall comply with the provisions of §
205-234.
C. Temporary signs in addition to those permitted in §
205-228J of this article:
(1) One construction sign for single-family structures,
not to exceed nine square feet in area or a height of more than six
feet above grade. For multifamily structures, the sign may not exceed
32 square feet in area or a height of 10 feet above grade. The sign
shall be permitted during the construction or renovation period of
a building and shall be removed when a certificate of occupancy has
been issued.
(2) One construction sign for a subdivision, so long as
there are units available for sale by the developer. The sign shall
be located within the property lines of the subdivision and may not
exceed a total area of 48 square feet in area or a height of 10 feet
above grade.
(3) One off-site identification sign for a major subdivision
may be placed at the closest major intersection. The sign may not
exceed an area of 15 square feet or a height of eight feet above grade.
The sign shall be removed when 90% of the units and lots in the subdivision
have been sold or leased.
(4) Two signs on a farm noting the sale of agricultural
produce produced on the premises. Each sign may not exceed an area
of 20 square feet or a height of eight feet above grade. The signs
shall be removed during the off-season when the produce advertised
is not sold.
D. Real estate signs:
(1) One real estate sign offering the sale, rental or
lease of the property on which it is located. The sign may not exceed
six square feet in area or a height of four feet above grade for single-family
lots or individual units in a multifamily development. The sign shall
be removed within 15 days after the settlement date or execution of
a lease.
(2) One real estate sign offering the sale, rental or
lease of a multifamily development. The sign may not exceed 48 square
feet in area or a height of 10 feet above grade. The sign shall be
removed when 90% of the units have been sold or leased.
(3) One real estate sign for each road frontage of an
undeveloped tract of land or subdivision of finished lots. The sign
may not exceed 48 square feet in area or a height of 10 feet above
grade. The sign shall be removed within 30 days after settlement date.
E. Off-premises monument sign (AC – Agricultural Conservation
and AR – Agricultural Residential Zoning Districts only).
[Added 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 09-12]
(1)
No more than one double-faced off-premises monument sign is
permitted per parcel, with no more than one advertisement per side.
(2)
Off-premises monument signs shall not be permitted within a
major subdivision.
(3)
Off-premises monument signs shall only be permitted on roads
classified as principal or minor arterials and major collectors according
to DelDOT's Functional Classification Map.
(4)
If an on-premises sign is located on an individual parcel, no
off-premises sign is permitted.
(5)
Off-premises monument signs shall not exceed 32 square feet
in area.
(6)
Off-premises monument signs shall be no more than six feet in
height.
(7)
Off-premises monument signs shall be set back a minimum of 25
feet from the street right-of-way.
(8)
No off-premises monument sign shall be closer than a five-hundred-foot
radius to another off-premises monument sign or billboard.
[Added 4-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-04]
A. On-premises signs permitted:
(1) One single-faced wall-mount sign for each business
which fronts on a state or County road. Such sign shall be no larger
than 15% of the area of the building front which each business occupies.
(2) One double-faced sign, no more than 200 square feet
in area, in accordance with the following setbacks:
|
Distance from Front Property Line
(feet)
|
Maximum Size Permitted
|
---|
|
0 to 5
|
None permitted
|
|
5 to 15
|
48 square feet
|
|
15 to 25
|
99 square feet
|
|
25 to 35
|
100 to 160 square feet
|
|
35+
|
200 square feet
|
B. Sign height shall not exceed 35 feet.
C. Temporary signs shall be no larger than 100 square
feet in area nor more than 1,000 feet of streamers, flags or pennants.
D. Signs for sale of real estate shall be no larger than
160 square feet in area, and must be removed within 14 days after
settlement.
E. Off-premises monument sign.
[Added 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 09-12]
(1)
No more than one double-faced off-premises monument sign is
permitted per parcel, with no more than one advertisement per side.
(2)
Off-premises monument signs shall not be permitted within a
major subdivision.
(3)
Off-premises monument signs shall only be permitted on roads
classified as principal or minor arterials and major collectors according
to DelDOT's Functional Classification Map.
(4)
If an on-premises sign is located on an individual parcel, no
off-premises sign is permitted.
(5)
Off-premises monument signs shall not exceed 32 square feet
in area.
(6)
Off-premises monument signs shall be no more than six feet in
height.
(7)
Off-premises monument signs shall be set back a minimum of 25
feet from the street right-of-way.
(8)
No off-premises monument sign shall be closer than a five-hundred-foot
radius to another off-premises monument sign or billboard.