CapeGazette reports that the Sussex County Council passed a new sign ordinance which brings to a close a 13 month new sign moratorium.  The ordinance passed 5-0.   Here’s a summary of the final rules.

• Separate billboard regulations for 2- and 4-lane roads including maximum heights of 25 feet on 2-lane roads and 35 feet on 4-lane roads measured from ground level.

• Applications for billboards on Route 1, Route 13, Route 113 and Route 9 must contain a letter of no objection from the Delaware Department of Transportation.

• Maximum billboard sign area of 300 square feet on 2-lane roads and 600 square feet on 4-lane roads.

• No stacked or side-by-side billboards.

• Variances for replacement billboards only for setbacks and separation distances and not for height or face size.

• Separation distance of 150 feet from a new billboard and property containing a church, school, dwelling or public lands, measured from the property line.

• Separation distance of 600 feet between billboards on all roads measured in a circle or radius on 2-lane roads and on the same side of the road on 4-lane roads.

• Digital billboards are permitted in the same zoning districts as other billboards with a separation distance of 1,200 feet on 2-lane roads and 2,500 feet on 4-lane roads.

Insider’s take:  This is a case study in the importance of becoming involved in the process.  A coalition of local billboard and sign companies got involved in Sussex County and were able to convert a severe draconian first draft of a sign ordinance into something which was more reasonable.

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