posted on: 11/18/2019

The City of Dover’s Department of Planning and Community Development announces it will conduct a clean-up of off-premise signs, including those placed on trees and utility poles or within the right-of-way without permission.

In Dover, temporary signs are permitted only in selected commercial zoning districts and must meet dimensional and liability requirements. With a few exceptions, temporary signs that are not located on the owner’s property (also known as “off-premise” signs) are prohibited throughout Dover. Sign clean-ups are conducted in order to remove signs placed without permission, such as those often found attached to roadside trees and utility poles, or on the ground along roadsides. These signs can cause a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians or create a visual blight that is unsightly for residents and visitors.

Assistant City Manager Chris Parker explains that another goal of the clean-up is to support those organizations with legal signage.

“Dover’s sign regulations were created to balance the need for identification, advertising, and communication with the need to protect safety and welfare and maintain an attractive appearance throughout the City,” Parker said. “Removing illegal signs helps to ensure that those who’ve followed these regulations know that their efforts to obtain permits are meaningful.”