(a) Except as otherwise provided, no person, whether engaged in the business of outdoor advertising or not, shall erect, maintain or display any outdoor advertising sign, display or device, above or upon real property, without first obtaining a permit from the Department.

(b) A separate application for a permit shall be made for each separate outdoor advertising sign, display or device on a form furnished by the Department, which application shall contain such information as it may require. For the purpose of this subsection, each single sign panel or face shall be interpreted as constituting an outdoor advertising sign, display or device. Each application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or tenant of the real property upon which such sign, display or device is to be erected or maintained. No new application shall be made for a permit to maintain any existing outdoor advertising sign, display or device or to renew a permit.

(c) The Department, in accordance with this chapter, shall issue or renew permits for a period of at least 1 year for the erection and maintenance of all types of outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices; provided, however, that all new permits issued shall expire at the next regular renewal period established by the Department. No permit shall be issued for the erection or construction of any sign which would be in violation of local law or ordinance at the time application is filed.

(d) The Department may establish and collect fees for the issuance of permits and renewals thereof. The amount of such charge shall be so fixed as to provide the Department with the funds deemed necessary by it to defray the costs of the administration of this chapter.

(e) When an application for a permit or for a renewal thereof is made by a nonresident or by a foreign corporation engaged in the business of outdoor advertising, the Department, at its discretion, as a condition to the issuance of such permit or renewal, may require such corporation to deposit with the Department a bond, in an amount and with surety to be approved by the Department, to secure such corporation’s compliance with this chapter.

(f) All sign permits issued under this section shall terminate and become void if the sign structure for which the permit is issued is not under construction within 6 months and is not fully constructed in full compliance with the terms of this chapter within 1 year after its issuance. Under no circumstances shall there be any refund of a permit fee which has become void.

42 Del. Laws, c. 182, § 3; 17 Del. C. 1953, § 1104; 53 Del. Laws, c. 87, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 276; 57 Del. Laws, c. 633, §§ 8, 9; 61 Del. Laws, c. 262, §§ 8-10.