Every outdoor sign in Dover is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Dover code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Dover.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Dover, Delaware. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in Dover, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
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Max ground sign height
9' high
Ground sign setback
5' set back to property line
Appeals
Appeals Exceptions
Source-backed appeal/exception/variance rules: 9.14 The following uses are permitted, conditional upon the approval of the planning commission in accordance with the procedures and subject to the general conditions set forth in section 10.1 and to any specified requirements set forth below: (a) After a building complex in this zone has reached a building space area of 100,000 square feet, then the following uses shall be permitted as conditional uses, subject to
Authority
Sign Chapter Scope 3
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: nents arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "Electronic message center." Clear height: The distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign. The minimum clear height shall be eight feet for pylon sign, p
Sign Chapter Scope 4
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "Electronic message center." Clear height: The distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign. The minimum clear height shall be eight feet for pylon sign, projecting sign, and any other sign that may impact pedestrian traffic. Supp. No. 41 CDB:117 Art. 5, § 4 DOVER CODE Comprehensive signage plan: A plan for all s
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: 4.4 Design requirements. A. Freestanding signs. 1. Freestanding signs and attendant structures and bases shall be designed as an integral part of the site development and shall be coordinated and compatible with site grading, utility placements, landscaping and architectural elements. Supp. No. 41 CDB:123 Art. 5, § 4 DOVER CODE 2. Freestanding signs and associated landscaping shall be situated and maintained so as no
Freestanding Ground Monument 2
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: 4.10 Nonconforming signs. A. Exclusions. Nonconforming signs which are within ten percent of compliance of any height, area or location requirement and which conform to all other provisions of this ordinance [section] shall be considered legal signs for the purposes of these regulations, except as provided in subsection 4.10—Nonconforming signs, B.4, below. B. Removal or compliance required. Nonconforming signs shall
Source-backed illumination rules: king distance of the bed and breakfast property. vi. Lot coverage for a bed and breakfast inn shall not exceed 60 percent of the lot. vii. Signage is limited to one sign not to exceed six square feet in area. Signs may be illuminated, provided that internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited. viii. Meals may be served to residents and overnight guests only. No cooking appliances or kitchenettes shall be permitte
Illumination 2
Source-backed illumination rules: eet. A minimum of two off-street parking spaces shall be required to serve the residence and the accessory use. iii. Signage for the accessory use is limited to one sign not to exceed six square feet in area. Signs may be illuminated, provided that internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited. (h) Off-street parking.
Source-backed maintenance rules: ix. The stay of overnight guests shall be limited to 30 consecutive days. x. The owner/operator of a bed and breakfast inn shall maintain a current City of Dover business license and the establishment shall be inspected at least semi-annually by the City --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- e land area occupied by a land lease community, regardless of the number of home sites or individual lots therein, shall be maintaine
Maintenance 2
Source-backed maintenance rules: messages without being distracting or unsafe to motorists reading them. The legibility of signs is related to the speeds at which they are viewed; the context and surroundings in which they are seen; and the design, colors, and contrasts of the sign copy and sign face. B. The relationship of signs to the buildings and sites they identify. Signs shall be an integral architectural element of the buildings and sites tha
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Nonconforming
Nonconforming Signs
Source-backed nonconforming signs: pt of written notification by the city planner. In cases where signs are determined to be unsafe or present a hazard, the city planner may order their removal in a shorter period of time. Responsibility for removal shall be in accordance with subsection 4.10— Nonconforming signs, B., and subsection 4.11—Abandoned and Damaged signs, of this section. D. Setback. All signs, including those which do not require a permit,
Permit Process
Triangulation Requirements
Yes, sign allowed in site triangle.
Permit Fee
$125.00 for 'Obtain Sign Code Check' service
Permits
Application Requirements
Source-backed sign permit application requirements: 5.1 Uses --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- ers: (a) The city planner shall have the authority to waive the bulk standards and parking requirements of article 4, section 4.2 for all non-conforming lots that existed in the RG-1 zone prior to January 1, 2007, when deemed necessary for redevelopment. The applicant must request such waivers in writing, stating the reasons that such waivers are necessary for development for
Application Requirements 2
Source-backed sign permit application requirements: ng and plumbing codes. iv. v. The number of guestrooms requested shall be set forth in the application for conditional use. The planning commission shall expressly establish the maximum number of guestrooms permitted for any application for which approval --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- ilding or premises shall be used, and no building or part of a building shall be erected, which is arranged, intended or designed to
Source-backed prohibited signs: oom. Off-street parking shall be prohibited in the front yard, except that such parking which may be customarily accommodated on a single width driveway may be permitted. Required parking may be provided on the premises or off the premises, provided that such off-premises parking is located within 150 feet walking distance of the bed and breakfast property. vi. Lot coverage for a bed and breakfast inn shall not excee
Prohibited Signs 2
Source-backed prohibited signs: 4.7 Permitted Signs, of this section. All election signs shall be removed no later than seven days after the election. Signs noting a tenant, store, building, etc. is "coming soon", which sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and only one sign is permitted on the site. The sign shall be 50 feet from other signs. The sign shall not be placed on the site for more than six months. After six months the sign shall be remov
Source-backed temporary sign rules: G. Signs that are flashing, rotating, or that give the appearance of movement, or are illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights, or lights of changing degrees or intensity, except as permitted under subsection 4.4—Design requirements, of this section. H. Temporary signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent material, except those permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign provisions, of thi
Temporary Signs 4
Source-backed temporary sign rules: ty, except as permitted under subsection 4.4—Design requirements, of this section. H. Temporary signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent material, except those permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign provisions, of this section. I. Window signs covering more than 50 percent of a window or a door, or mounted above the first floor, except those permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign
Temporary Signs
Temp Signs Allowed
Temporary signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas, or similar impermanent material are prohibited except when permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign provisions.
Temp Sign Rules
Portable signs (A-frames, sandwich boards, umbrellas): maximum one sign per business, maximum height 4 feet.
Variance Appeals
Variance Time Frame
6 weeks.
Variance Meeting Schedule
Every second Tuesday of month, 7 pm
Wall Signs
Wall Signs
Source-backed wall sign rules: attendant structures and bases shall be designed as an integral part of the site development and shall be coordinated and compatible with site grading, utility placements, landscaping and architectural elements. Supp. No. 41 CDB:123 Art. 5, § 4 DOVER CODE 2. Freestanding signs and associated landscaping shall be situated and maintained so as not to impair or block visibility of motorists and/or pedestrians traveling
Wall Signs 2
Source-backed wall sign rules: e, shall be erected, placed or maintained on any corner within the triangular area formed by intersecting right-of-way lines. Two sides of the triangular area shall be 20 feet in length and measured from the point of intersection of the right-of-way lines. 3. Freestanding signs shall be situated on the site and dimensioned so as not to substantially impair or block the visibility of adjacent buildings and/or existing
Source-backed window sign rules: nt material, except those permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign provisions, of this section. I. Window signs covering more than 50 percent of a window or a door, or mounted above the first floor, except those permitted in subsection 4.9—Supplementary sign regulations, A.5., of this section. J. Pennants, balloons, streamers, flags, etc. except when permitted in subsection 4.5—Signs permitted in all districts
Window Sign Allowable Area
up to 50% of any window; first-floor windows only
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