2 Del. Admin. Code § 2601-6.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 2601-6.0 - Standards for Directional Signs

6.1 General: Permits as mentioned in Section 19.0 of this regulation will not be required for directional signs.

6.1.1 The following standards shall apply to directional signs erected outside of the State's right-of-way only. Directional signs within the State's right-of-way shall follow the most current version of the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

6.1.2 A sign shall only be erected after first securing approval of the Department. Requests for approval to erect a directional sign shall be in writing directed to the Department for the attention of the Manager of the Roadside Control Section. All requests shall be processed in accord with procedures promulgated by the Department.

6.1.3 The following directional signs are prohibited:

6.1.3.1 Signs advertising activities that are illegal under Federal or State laws or regulations in effect at the location of those signs or at the location of the activity.

6.1.3.2 Signs located in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic control device ("TCD"), or obstruct or interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersection traffic.

6.1.3.3 Signs which are erected or maintained upon trees or utility poles or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.

6.1.3.4 Obsolete signs.

6.1.3.5 Signs which are structurally unsafe or in disrepair.

6.1.3.6 Signs which move or have any animated or moving parts.

6.1.3.7 Signs located in rest areas, parklands or scenic areas.

6.1.3.8 Signs not in conformance with applicable wind pressure requirements determined by adopted local building code or 25 pounds per square foot.

6.1.3.9 Signs for privately owned facilities unless such facilities are determined to be eligible for signing under the criteria and methods described in 6.6 and 6.7 of this section.

6.2 Size

6.2.1 The following limits shall apply to directional signs:

6.2.1.1 Maximum area 150 square feet

6.2.1.2 Maximum height 20 feet

6.2.1.3 Maximum length 20 feet

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

6.3 Lighting

6.3.1 Signs may be illuminated, subject to the following:

6.3.1.1 Signs which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights are prohibited. The use of a variable message sign (VMS) as defined in Section 4.0 of these regulations shall be prohibited for directional signs.

6.3.1.2 Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of an Interstate or Primary system highway or which are of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited.

6.3.1.3 No sign may be so illuminated as to interfere with the effectiveness of or obscure an official traffic sign, device or signal.

6.4 Spacing

6.4.1 Each location of a directional sign must be approved by the Department.

6.4.2 A directional sign must be located beyond 2,000 feet of an interchange, or intersection at grade along the Interstate System or other freeways (measured along the Interstate or freeway from the nearest point of the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way), unless erected by the Division.

6.4.3 A directional sign shall be located beyond 2,000 feet of a rest area, parkland, or scenic area, unless erected by the Division.

6.4.4

6.4.4.1 Two directional signs facing the same direction of travel shall be spaced more than 1 mile apart;

6.4.4.2 A maximum of three directional signs pertaining to the same activity and facing the same direction of travel may be erected along a single route approaching the activity;

6.4.4.3 Signs located adjacent to the Interstate System shall be within 75 air miles of the activity; and

6.4.4.4 Signs located adjacent to the non-interstate portions of the NHS shall be within 50 air miles of the activity.

6.4.5 In determining the distance between signs facing in the same direction and those within a seventy-five air mile radius, signs beyond the 660' limit shall not be considered.

6.4.6 Signs legally in place within the 660' controlled area shall be considered as though it were a sign erected under these regulations.

6.5 Message Content

6.5.1 The message of directional signs shall be limited to the identification of the attraction or activity and directional information useful to the traveler in locating the attraction, such as mileage, route numbers, or exit numbers. Descriptive words or phrases, and pictorial or photographic representations of the activity or its environs are prohibited.

6.6 Criteria for Eligibility

6.6.1 The criteria for determining whether or not a privately owned facility is eligible for directional signing shall be that criteria presently utilized or hereafter adopted by one of the existing State agencies where primary purpose is the control and administration of the type of specific unique phenomena or site for which a directional sign application may be made.

6.6.2 A determination by the State agency to which a request is referred as to whether or not a privately owned facility is eligible for directional signing will be binding on the Department.

6.7 Eligible Activities

6.7.1 Privately owned activities or attractions eligible for directional signing shall be limited to the following: natural phenomena; scenic attractions; historic, educational, cultural, scientific, and religious sites; and outdoor recreational areas any of which must be nationally or regionally known, and of outstanding interest to the traveling public as determined by the appropriate State agency authority.

2 Del. Admin. Code § 2601-6.0

18 DE Reg. 999 (6/1/2015) (Final)