§ 42-6. Permitted signs.

(a)

Freestanding signs.

(1)

Maximum size, height, width, length, number of sign faces, number of signs per establishment, and required minimum height and setbacks are based upon establishment size and shall conform with Table 42-6.A.

(2)

A maximum of one reader board shall be allowed per zoning lot for single or multi-tenant structures containing office, commercial, or industrial uses if attached to permanent freestanding signs. The area of the reader board shall be included in the site's total sign area allowance.

(3)

All new freestanding signs are to be designed as monument signs, pedestal style signs or pole mounted signs.

(4)

The predominant materials used for freestanding signs, excluding copy material or materials not visible from the public right-of-way, must complement those found on the principal structure. Materials, design and color of the sign do not need to be the same as those found on the principle structure to be considered complementary.

(5)

Signs that are located in parking lots (such as directional signs) may be internally lit when constructed with routed letters or an opaque background.

(6)

The hanging or attachment of objects is not permitted unless they are shown on the drawings approved for sign construction and meet all the requirements of this chapter.

(7)

When calculating the sign area of a "monument sign," "pedestal sign," or "pole sign," the internal structural framework supporting the sign or other solid structural features (not containing copy or any graphic, word, symbol, insignia, text sample, model, device, or combination thereof which is primarily intended to advertise, identify or notify, exclusive of a frame or border) shall not be used in the calculation of the maximum area of the sign. Signs may be mounted on a base or foundation that will not be included in the square footage; however, the base for monument signs must be as wide as the sign.

Table 42-6.A. Freestanding Signs
Requirement	Agricultural/ Conservation	Residential	General Commercial/ Industrial	Neighborhood Commercial/Town Center
Total Maximum Area (sq. ft.)	32	10	300	Bldg. Size (sq. ft.)	Sign Size
				0 sq. ft. to 2,500 sq. ft.	100
				2,500 sq. ft. to 25,000 sq. ft.	150
				25,000 sq. ft.+	200
Maximum Height (ft.)	14	5	20	20
Maximum Width (height of sign face) (ft.)	N/A	5	5:1 Ratio	Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1
Maximum Length (ft.)	N/A	5	5:1 Ratio	Ratio—Longest side: Shortest side 5:1
Setbacks (Front/Interior) (ft.)	10/10	10/10	10/10	No Setback in TC NC = 10
Max. Number of Sign Faces	2 per sign	2 per sign	2 per sign	2 per sign
Max. Number of Signs	1 per major frontage	1 per major frontage	1 per major frontage	1 per major road frontage

 

(b)

Wall/facade signs.

(1)

A maximum of two signs shall be allowed per wall/facade, with a maximum of four per building.

(2)

Maximum size of wall/facade sign shall not exceed 15 percent of the total area of the wall on which the sign is located.

(3)

The hanging or attachment of objects is not permitted unless they are shown on the drawings approved for sign construction and meet all the requirements of this chapter.

(4)

Awning signs.

a.

The use of awnings for the purpose of providing signage will be considered a wall sign. The awning signage must meet all dimensional and intensity standards applicable to wall signs in this chapter.

b.

For purposes of the subsection, an awning sign is a sign used for the purpose of providing signage and must be located above a display window or entryway.

c.

Text or graphic shall be limited to the face of an awning.

(c)

Sandwich board and easel signs.

(1)

Restaurants may have one sandwich board or easel sign displaying the menu or specials.

(2)

The easel sign structure shall not exceed six feet in height. The sign face or message board on an easel sign shall not exceed four square feet.

(3)

Sandwich boards shall have a maximum surface area of eight square feet per side and be a maximum of four feet in height.

(4)

Sandwich board and easel signs are permitted in TC and NC zoning districts and shall only be displayed when the establishment is open for business.

(5)

Sandwich board and easel signs shall not block pedestrian or vehicular access.

(d)

Off-site directional sign program. The following shall regulate and establish a standardized program of off-site residential directional kiosk signs and commercial centers of over 250,000 square feet (heated area) for the town. For the purposes of this subsection, residential projects with an approved model home or sales centers permit may participate in the approved kiosk directional program.

(1)

The kiosk location plan, sign structure and panel design shall be approved by the planning commission.

(2)

A kiosk sign structure shall be located not less than 300 feet from any other kiosk sign for any single direction of traffic. Kiosk sign structures shall be permitted within any public right-of-way, subject to issuance of an encroachment permit.

(3)

Each kiosk sign shall require the submittal of a detailed site plan showing the specific location of the sign which shall be reviewed and approved by the planning department in accordance with the requirements of the this Code.

(4)

All kiosk sign structures placed on private property shall require written consent of the property owner which shall be filed with the planning department prior to the issuance of a sign permit. All kiosk signs located on town property or within a designated town or SCDOT right-of-way shall require an encroachment permit through the appropriate agency, and a hold harmless agreement or other form of liability insurance, deemed necessary and approved by the town's attorney and effective on the date of installation of any sign.

(5)

All kiosk signs shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC) and all applicable requirements of the town.

(6)

All kiosk signs shall be permitted in any land use or zoning district, subject to the requirements of this section and the limitations of the specific land use and zoning district in which the sign is located.

(7)

All kiosk sign structures shall conform to the following standard regulations:

a.

Double-sided kiosk signs are permitted. No more than one panel per development per side of a kiosk sign is permitted;

b.

Kiosk sign panels may only contain the name of the development and a directional arrow unless approved under a special event permit, and one sign copy color as indicated in below;

c.

Kiosk sign structures shall not encroach within the clear sight triangle as defined in this Code;

d.

Size shall be no more than six feet in width by ten feet in height.

(8)

Design of kiosk structures and panels shall be established and approved by the town designee. Colors will be the same as those of the town logo and seal.

(e)

Special signs.

(1)

[Maximum size, number, and height.] Maximum size, number, and height of special signs shall conform to Table 46-2.B.

(2)

Temporary signs.

a.

Size, number and height. Maximum size, number and height of temporary signs shall conform to Table 42-6.B.

b.

Duration.

1.

Noncommercial temporary signs shall be allowed for a maximum of 30 days per event.

2.

Commercial temporary signs shall be allowed for a maximum of 30 days, starting with the opening of a business.

(3)

Real estate signs.

a.

Maximum size, number and height of real estate signs shall conform to Table 42-6.B of this chapter.

b.

Signs shall face a maximum of two directions, and may be mounted back-to-back or V'ed.

c.

Where signs are V'ed, the space between panels shall not exceed three feet at the point at which panels are closest, and the interior angle formed by signs shall not exceed 60 degrees. For purposes of these requirements, V'ed signs shall be counted as one sign.

d.

Where signs face two directions, whether back-to-back or V'ed, both signs must be the same standard size.

(4)

Flags used as signs.

a.

A permit shall be required for the installation of all flag poles or flag display devices erected on lots zoned for multifamily, office, commercial, or industrial use or occupied by a multifamily, office, commercial, or industrial use.

b.

Applicants must submit with the permit application a scaled site plan giving the location of all flag poles and complete dimensional and installation engineering data.

c.

Applicants must provide documentation of minimum clearance from electric, telephone or cable TV lines as certified by the proper utility prior to issuance of permit, or installation.

d.

Maximum size and number of flags used as signs, and height of flag poles shall conform to Table 42-6.B of this chapter.

e.

The American flag and the flag of the State of South Carolina are exempt from the provisions for maximum size of flags and maximum size of flagpoles in Table 42-6.B of this chapter.

(5)

Political campaign signs (no permit required). Political campaign signs do not require a sign permit. Political campaign signs may only be displayed 60 days prior to election and must be removed within 72 hours after the election. Signs shall not be located in ROW. Signs shall not exceed four feet in length by four feet in height in residential areas or eight feet in length by four feet in height in nonresidential areas.

Table 42-6.B. Special Signs
Sign Type	Maximum Size (Square Feet)	Maximum Quantity	Minimum Setback (Feet)	Max Height (Feet)
Subdivision/Multifamily Identification Signs	32	2 per entrance	10	12
Directional Signage	3	2 per entrance	10	3
Temporary Sign (Type 1): Include, grand openings, promotional banners and permitted special events	36 sq. ft. Time Limit: Shall not exceed 30 days and must be removed no later than 15 days after the conclusion of the sale or event, or first day of grand opening	1 per 1,500 ft. frontage Maximum: 3 per lot	10	6
Temporary Sign (Type 2): Includes Real estate signs, Construction projects, and New Development Site Signs	32 sq. ft. 6 sq. ft. (Residential) Time Limit: Shall not exceed one year. May be renewed up to additional 6 months	1 per 1,500 ft. frontage Maximum: 3 per lot	10	6
Flags	60	3 per zoning lot	10	35 ft. or 15 ft. above highest point of roof (whichever is less)
Civic/Institutional	100 sq. ft. 50 sq. ft. (Residential)	1 per zoning lot	10	12 ft. Sign must have opaque background except the marquee. Marquee cannot exceed 25% of total sign
Notes:   Banners must be secured to buildings on all four sides at all times.

 

(Ord. No. 2010-11-13, 5-23-2011)