New Castle County, DE Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 40.06.030.B.6.g.i
- Allowed highways
- I-95, I-295, I-495, US-13 segment
- Same-direction spacing
- 2,500 feet apart minimum
- Brightness cap
- 7,500 nits day, 1,000 night
- Applies to
- Unincorporated New Castle County only
Summary
New Castle County bans electronic off-premises billboards facing freeways everywhere except I-95, I-295, I-495 and a stretch of US-13, and even there imposes spacing, brightness and permit limits across the unincorporated county.
EVM off-premises advertising signs shall only be located on and be oriented to interstate highways: I-95, I-295 and I-495; and state highway US-13 NB between SR-273 and US-40.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Electronic variable message off-premises advertising signs, digital billboards not advertising the business on whose property they sit, are limited to I-95, I-295, I-495, and US-13 northbound between SR-273 and US-40, per Sec. 40.06.030.B.6.g.i of the Unified Development Code. Same-direction EVM billboards must sit at least 2,500 feet apart, and at least 500 feet from a static off-premises sign; none can stand within 1,000 feet of an interchange or at-grade intersection, or along a designated byway. Brightness is capped at 7,500 nits by day and 1,000 nits by night, factory pre-set and password-protected. This governs unincorporated New Castle County only, Wilmington and Newark zone signs under their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
The Department of Land Use inspects signs and can order a nonconforming or unpermitted sign repaired or removed within 30 days; if the owner doesn't comply, the County removes it and can pursue enforcement under the zoning code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a digital billboard facing I-95 in New Castle County?
Does this rule apply inside Wilmington or Newark?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Castle County
Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware sign regulations overview
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