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Press Release -- September 1, 2006
Roadside Sign Enforcement Applies to All
1,700 Obstructions Removed, Helping Keep Roadsides Safe and Clear
Dover --
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reminds the public, organizations, businesses and candidates for political office of a state law intended to limit sign pollution along state roadways.
The law, in effect for almost 10 years, was strengthened last year with the addition of a fine. The law subjects the owner of an illegal sign or other obstruction placed in the state's right of way to a $25 per sign fine and a $15 per sign recovery fee. View the sign law video, a printable flyer, and more information at http://www.deldot.gov/static/photo_gallery/illegal_signs/index.shtml.
Between November 2005 (when the law passed allowing DelDOT to fine violators) and May 2006, approximately 1,700 illegal signs have been removed from the state's rights of way.
Specifically, the law prohibits at all times all non-official signage in medians, in channelization islands, on utility poles, and as much as 10 feet from the shoulders of state roads and highways. This is also known as the Clear Zone Law. Outside the Clear Zone, but still in the state right-of-way, posting of signs is illegal except 30 days prior to, and after, an election in the jurisdiction for which an election is being held. For example, as there are currently statewide primary elections and statewide general elections set for Sept. 12 and Nov. 7, the rights of way outside the Clear Zone became eligible for placement of signs Aug. 12. This exemption expires Dec. 7.
DelDOT's goal is simple: Keep the rights of way and utility poles clear of visual pollution, which contribute to litter and can be a safety hazard. The law must be applied equally to all who place signs in the right of way. Prior to June 2005, there were no fines associated with The Clear Zone Law.
DelDOT officials said the ability to fine violators has helped lessen the number of signs in the state rights of way. Still, there are on-going concerns about multiple violators knowing the law but still placing signs in the rights of way, and about others who simply refuse to pay the fines.
Some statistical trends to date:
* Between November 2005 (when DelDOT began fining violators) and May 2006, approximately 1,700 signs have been removed from the state's rights of way.
* Approximately 1,100 signs were collected in New Castle County, 250 in Kent County, and 350 in Sussex County.
* Approximately 500 sign violations belong to various home builders/developers.
* The top sign law violator, a home buying business, had 417 signs confiscated as of Aug. 11, 2006.
* Violators two through 20 had between 17 and 79 signs confiscated.
* By comparison, there were only 32 political campaign signs confiscated as of Aug. 23.
* Approximately $9,175 in fines was collected.
* More than $20,000 in fines remained unpaid.
The state sign law is as follows:
* Prohibits at all times all non-official signage in medians, on utility poles, and as much as 10 feet from the shoulders of state roads and highways. This is also known as the Clear Zone Law.
* Candidates for public office, and all other sign owners, will be granted permission to place signs outside the Clear Zone, but still within the right of way, for 30 days prior to, and after, an election. Sign owners may only place their messages throughout the jurisdiction for which the election is being held.
* The older Clear Zone law authorized DelDOT to patrol only those sections of state maintained roads outside municipal boundaries. The new law removes that restriction and requires us to enforce the law even in municipal boundaries.
We have more information, including a printable flier, and an informative video release on our Web site at www.deldot.gov, under Hot Topics. For the specific law, go to http://www.delcode.state.de.us/, Title 17, Chapter 5, starting at 524, 525.
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