Delaware Administrative Code
Title 2 - Transportation
2000 - Department of Transportation
2600 - Division of Maintenance and Operations
2601 - Outdoor Advertising
Section 2601-7.0 - Standards for Gateway Signs

7.1.1 Permits as defined in Section 19.0 of these Regulations will not be required for gateway signs. The following provisions apply to gateway signs erected within the right-of-way of any state maintained roadway within this State.

7.1.2 A gateway sign shall only be erected after first securing approval of the Department. Requests for approval to erect a gateway sign shall be in writing directed to the Department for the attention of the Manager of the Roadside Control Section. Requests for gateway signs shall be accepted from either of the following:

7.1.3 Gateway signs, upon approval of the Roadside Control Section, shall execute an official Right-of-Way Use Agreement with the appropriate departmental personnel.

7.1.4 A gateway sign shall be limited to conventional roadways. At no time will permission be granted for a gateway sign to be erected adjacent to an interstate, or other controlled access highway.

7.1.5 A gateway sign erected under this section shall meet one of the following requirements:

7.1.6 Any gateway sign erected under this section which becomes in conflict with any improvement project will be required to be either temporarily removed or relocated as a result of such project. All costs associated with removal or relocation shall be the sole responsibility of the entity responsible for the sign. In the event of a permanent conflict and no appropriate site for relocation, the sign will not be permitted to be re-erected.

7.1.7 The following gateway signs are prohibited:

7.2.1 The following limits shall apply to gateway signs:

7.2.2 The following limits shall apply to gateway signs constructed of a Department approved ornamental sign:

7.2.3 All dimensions include border and trim, but exclude supports.

7.3.1 A gateway sign shall be placed no less than 200 feet from any official TCD maintained by the Department.

7.3.2 As defined in Section 7.1.5.2 of this regulation, a gateway sign shall be located outside of the design clear zone for a roadway if such sign does not meet standards as set forth under NCHRP 350, MASH, or the most current version in effect at the time of application. The design clear zone will be calculated by the most practical method in use by the Department.

7.4.1 Illumination of a gateway sign is prohibited.

7.4.2 A gateway sign shall be retro-reflective based on guidelines set forth in the most current version of the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

7.5.1 As per the Delaware MUTCD, the standard colors of red, orange, yellow, purple, or the fluorescent versions thereof, fluorescent yellow-green and fluorescent pink shall not be used for background colors for a gateway sign.

7.5.2 Abbreviations should be kept to a minimum, and should include only those that are commonly recognized and understood.

7.5.3 Word messages should be as brief as practical and the lettering should be large enough to provide the necessary legibility distance.

7.5.4 Internet and e-mail addresses, domain names, Uniform Resource Locators (URL), or phone numbers shall not be displayed on a gateway sign.

7.5.5 Slogans and related graphics shall be of some specific interest to the area represented by a gateway sign.

7.5.6 The interpolation of any type of advertising message is expressly prohibited.

7.6.1 All gateway signs shall be maintained in a good state of repair at all times. When any sign is damaged or falls into disrepair to the extent that obvious repairs are needed, the owner shall be notified by Certified Mail to make all necessary and allowable repairs. If the sign is not repaired, rebuilt, or removed within thirty days of said notification the sign will be considered as being abandoned and will be removed by the Department.

7.6.2 Signs causing an immediate safety concern will be removed by the Department without prior notification.

7.6.3 Applicants for gateway signs shall provide contact information for a responsible party in the event the sign is destroyed or enters a state of disrepair.