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Sign Code Summary

Georgetown, DE

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Georgetown, DE

Every outdoor sign in Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown.

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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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
detached sign: Detached sign may not exceed 25 feet in height
Ground sign setback
detached signs in LI1 Districts; zones LI1: Minimum front setback of 25 feet if along a state-maintained roadway

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
Same 18% of building front formula applies (one wall/awning/projecting/marquee sign per structure)
Awning Projection Clearance
8 ft clearance, fire-retardant lasting materials

Building Signs

Roof Sign Standard
Signs that are not an integral part of the building design shall not be placed on the roof
Sign Placement Restrictions
Signs are permitted on side or rear walls unless the wall is closer than 100 feet to any single-family residential district
Wall Sign Other
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Wall Sign Definition
in full report
Building Sign Formula
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Building Sign Max Number
in full report
Building Sign Illumination
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Sign Definitions
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Wall Sign Other
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Wall Sign Other
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Wall Sign Other
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9 more building signs rules in the full report →

Definitions

Sign Definitions
Any sign which revolves or moves, whether illuminated or not, is considered a 'flashing sign.'
Sign Definitions
A sign designed to be filled with air to form a three-dimensional shape and anchored to the ground.
Sign Definitions
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Sign Definitions
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Sign Definitions
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Sign Definitions
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4 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Sign Standard
Limited to two signs per shelter
Directional Max Size
No restrictions on size, height, or quantity; case-by-case basis; exempt from code
Directional Max Height
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Directional Sign Standard
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Directional Sign Standard
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3 more directional signs rules in the full report →

General Info

Jurisdiction Name
Town of Georgetown, DE

General Standards

Max Signs Per Frontage
One sign of each permitted type is permitted per road frontage, for each permitted use on the premises
Sign Maintenance
No sign may be erected or maintained other than signs of the character, size and construction expressly authorized by this article and other ordinances
Hd District Character
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Sf Base Exclusion
in full report
Sign Area Calc Method
in full report
Architectural Lighting Allowed
in full report
Sign Maintenance
in full report
Sign Placement Restrictions
in full report

6 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Exempt Sign Types
Permitted sign types are marquee, canopy, projecting, wall and detached
Ground Sign Other
One detached sign (illuminated or unlighted) limited to a maximum of 96 square feet
Detached Sign Max Height
in full report
Detached Sign Setback State Road
in full report
Permitted Sign Types
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Ground Sign Type
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Ground Sign Formula
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Ground Sign Max Height
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Ground Sign Setback
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Ground Sign Other
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Ground Sign Other
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Ground Sign Other
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Ground Sign Other
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11 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Sign Illumination
External illumination must not project direct rays of light into any single-family residential district or any public street
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Other

Instructional Signs Permission
Nonilluminated instructional signs are permitted in all districts
Sign Min Distance From Right Of Way
10 ft minimum distance from public right-of-way
Instructional Signs Permission
in full report

1 more other rule in the full report →

Permit Process

Permit Application Requirements
Applications for unusual signs or displays may be referred by the Town Manager to the Board of Adjustment for interpretation and recommendation
Permit Time Frame
Up to 2 weeks
Triangulation Requirements
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Permit Application Process
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2 more permit process rules in the full report →

Prohibited Signs

Prohibited Sign Types
Video boards shall be prohibited

Temporary Signs

Temporary Sign Max Area
6 sq ft max area
Temporary Sign Other
No more than two signs per property (or per frontage if multiple streets)
Real Estate Sign Max Quantity
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Temp Signs Allowed
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Temp Sign Rules
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Temporary Sign Other
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Temporary Sign Other
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5 more temporary signs rules in the full report →

Variance Appeals

Variance Meeting Schedule
Must show hardship to current bylaw; City Council meets every 2 weeks
Variance Process
Must show hardship to current bylaw; City Council meets every 2 weeks; fee based on scope of work; no conditional use permits

Window Signs

Window Sign Max Area
Window sign area does not count towards total signage allowed in HC and UB1 districts
Window Sign Allowable Area
50% of window area, must be individual letters/logos/design elements not encompassed by solid opaque background
Window Sign Max Area
in full report

1 more window signs rule in the full report →

Zoning

Zoning Designation
Any sign permitted in UR1, UR2, UR3, MR1, or MR2 districts
Complex Signage Rules
Complexes may have 1 detached sign per arterial/collector road, up to 25 ft height; freestanding units on pad sites max 50 sf detached + 15 sf attached; units within larger structure max 10% of front or 200 sf
Zoning Designation
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Zoning Designation
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2 more zoning rules in the full report →

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