Sussex County, DE Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

5A(3)). The sign is limited to one nonilluminated on-premises sign no larger than six square feet of sign area per side, and it may have no more than two sides or facings, back to back. It must meet the setbacks referenced for institutional signs in the same section: a minimum five-foot setback from the front lot line, 25 feet from the right-of-way of a street intersection, and 15 feet from adjacent property lines. A farm-based use qualifies for the same allowance only if the farm is five acres or larger.

32-per-square-foot annual fee, though the flat $10 one-time fee applies to signs of 32 square feet or smaller, which covers this sign size. A sign erected, altered or maintained in violation of the article is a misdemeanor or civil offense under § 115-160M, carrying a mandatory minimum fine of $100 (up to $1,000) or up to 10 days' imprisonment, with each day of violation a separate offense, and the Director may remove a noncompliant sign at the owner's expense. This limit was last amended October 11, 2016 by Ordinance No. 2470, which rewrote the size and setback language countywide.