# Sign Regulations in Clemson, South Carolina

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Clemson, South Carolina, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Clemson, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/clemson
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-29
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/clemson-sc/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-3643)

## At a glance

Clemson, South Carolina regulates 30 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Public Use Identification (Church, School, Semi-public)s in the Single-Family Residential District (R-20, R-12); Two-Family Residential District (RM-1, RM-2); Multi-family Residential District (RM-3, RM-3.5, RM-4) zoning district are capped at ≤ 6 ft tall and ≤ 36 sq ft, with a Min 15 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 19-705.A.1–7; Sec. 19-705.A.7.a–c). Most commercial signs in Clemson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | — | ≤ 120 sq ft (but not less than 36 sq ft); 0.5 sq ft per linear foot of frontage | — |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-20, R-12); Two-Family Residential District (RM-1, RM-2); Multi-family Residential District (RM-3, RM-3.5, RM-4) | 7 | Located no higher than 20 ft above grade of front building facade | Freestanding sign assembly ≤ 42 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (C); Neighborhood Business District (CP-1); Community Business District (CP-2); Commercial Mixed-Use District (CM); Office Professional District (OP); Research, Institutional, Light Industrial District (RIL); Planned Development District (PD) | 12 | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 120 sq ft (min 36 sq ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building adjacent to or within 35 ft of sidewalk or public ROW) | — | 10% of facade area (calculated on first 20 ft of facade height) | — | — | — | Must face a public ROW or a parking lot with at least 5 spaces on the same lot; no part of any sign shall extend above the uppermost point of a building; signs may be allowed on parapet walls up to 2 ft above the base of the abutting roof. | — | Sec. 19-701.B; Sec. 19-701.C.5; Sec. 19-701.H.1–2; Sec. 19-701.I.1.a; Sec. 19-701.I.1.e–g; Sec. 19-701.L.3 |
| Wall Sign (Building farther than 35 ft from sidewalk or public ROW) | — | 10% of building surface facing the street | — | — | — | Must face a public ROW or a parking lot with at least 5 spaces on the same lot; parapet allowance up to 2 ft above base of abutting roof; no portion above the uppermost point of the building. | — | Sec. 19-701.C.5; Sec. 19-701.H.1–2; Sec. 19-701.I.1.b; Sec. 19-701.I.1.e–g; Sec. 19-701.L.3 |
| Wall Sign (Building height > 24 ft - Main identification sign) | — | ≤ 15% of one-half of facade height area | — | — | Buildings > 40 ft tall allowed max two main identification signs: one at first floor and one within top 10 ft of the building (Sec. 19-701.L.5). | Must face public ROW or qualifying parking area. | — | Sec. 19-701.H.1–2; Sec. 19-701.I.1.c; Sec. 19-701.I.1.e–g; Sec. 19-701.L.3 |
| Wall Sign (Side/rear walls not directly facing public street) | — | 10% of facade area | — | — | — | Must face a customer parking lot containing 5+ spaces; sign must be within exterior perimeter of the tenant space for multi-tenant buildings. | — | Sec. 19-701.C.5; Sec. 19-701.I.1.d–g; Sec. 19-701.L.3–4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 9 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to and extending from a building; bottom edge min 9 ft clearance above finished grade when projecting over public ROW. | — | Sec. 19-701.H.5; Sec. 19-701.I.4 |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Business (General sizing) | — | ≤ 36 sq ft | — | Min 3 ft between any part of freestanding sign and property line (unless otherwise specified). | — | On private property; must not interfere with required bufferyards, landscaping, or street trees. | — | Sec. 19-701.I.2; Sec. 19-701.M.1–3 |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Tenants (General sizing) | — | ≤ 120 sq ft (but not less than 36 sq ft); 0.5 sq ft per linear foot of frontage | — | Min 3 ft from property line (unless otherwise specified). | — | On private property; must not interfere with required bufferyards, landscaping, or street trees. | — | Sec. 19-701.I.3; Sec. 19-701.M |
| Subdivision/Neighborhood Sign within ROW (Council-approved legacy or existing) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft per sign (legacy/new signs in ROW); replacement signs cannot exceed original total square footage and structures | — | — | Max 2 per entrance; total max 4 if multiple entrances | Within public or private street ROW when expressly approved by City Council; locations preapproved by staff and coordinated with City departments. | — | Sec. 19-701.E.2–3 |

### Single-Family Residential District (R-20, R-12); Two-Family Residential District (RM-1, RM-2); Multi-family Residential District (RM-3, RM-3.5, RM-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Public Use Identification (Church, School, Semi-public) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 36 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from property line | Limited to 1 sign per street frontage | On the premises of the public use to which it refers; berm or solid base design. | — | Sec. 19-705.A.1–7; Sec. 19-705.A.7.a–c |
| Wall Sign - Public Use Identification (Channel letters only) | Located no higher than 20 ft above grade of front building facade | — | — | — | 1 per principal structure front facade | On premises; limited to front facade of principal use structure. | — | Sec. 19-705.B.1–5 |
| Identification Sign (Bed and Breakfast Inn) | — | ≤ 9 sq ft | — | Not closer than 15 ft to a property line | — | On premises. | — | Sec. 19-705.C.1–3 |
| Subdivision or Multi-family Complex Identification - Freestanding Monument | ≤ 8 ft | Freestanding sign assembly ≤ 42 sq ft | — | No closer than 15 ft to the paved portion of the street | Up to 2 signs at each principal entrance | On private property at principal entrance(s). | — | Sec. 19-705.D.1–3 |
| Subdivision or Multi-family Complex Identification - Fence/Wall Mounted | ≤ 8 ft (if freestanding used) | Freestanding sign assembly ≤ 42 sq ft (if freestanding used); wall/fence-mounted not expressly sized beyond entrance provision | — | No closer than 15 ft to the paved portion of the street | Up to 2 signs at each principal entrance | Securely attached on a fence or wall at principal entrance(s). | — | Sec. 19-705.D |
| Banner (Special Event - Public Use) | — | ≤ 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building per street frontage during permitted period(s) | Securely attached on wall of the building where the use is located (alternative display methods may be approved by Zoning and Codes Administrator); not on roof or landscaping. | — | Sec. 19-705.E.1–12 |
| Signs Exempt from Permit (Residential and RM applicability) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 19-703; Sec. 19-704; Sec. 19-703.H |

### General Commercial District (C); Neighborhood Business District (CP-1); Community Business District (CP-2); Commercial Mixed-Use District (CM); Office Professional District (OP); Research, Institutional, Light Industrial District (RIL); Planned Development District (PD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Business | ≤ 8 ft above finished grade of abutting edge of sidewalk | ≤ 36 sq ft | — | General min 3 ft from any property line unless otherwise specified (Sec. 19-701.L.2). | 1 freestanding sign per parcel | On private property; situated to not interfere with required bufferyards, landscaping, or street trees. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.1–7; Sec. 19-701.I.2; Sec. 19-706.D.7.c–e |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Businesses (Non-RIL group development or parcel) | ≤ 8 ft above finished grade of abutting edge of sidewalk | ≤ 120 sq ft (min 36 sq ft) | — | General min 3 ft from property line unless otherwise specified. | 1 per street frontage (per parcel or per group development) | One per street frontage (per parcel or per group development). Must not interfere with bufferyards/landscaping/street trees. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.1–6, 8.a–h; Sec. 19-701.I.3 |
| Freestanding Sign - Unified Park Entrance (RIL District only, < 5 business spaces) | ≤ 8 ft | — | — | — | 1 freestanding sign at each entrance | At each designated entrance to a unified park or development of ≥ 25 acres that serves all businesses. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.9.a–d |
| Freestanding Sign - Unified Park Entrance (RIL District only, ≥ 6 business spaces) | ≤ 12 ft | — | — | — | 1 freestanding sign at each entrance | At each designated entrance to a unified park or development of ≥ 25 acres that serves all businesses. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.9.a–d |
| Banner (Special Event or Sale - Business) | — | ≤ 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building per street frontage during permitted period(s) | Securely attached to the wall of the building where the business is located (alternative methods may be approved by Zoning and Codes Administrator); not on roof or landscaping. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.10.a–l |
| Grand Opening Banner | — | ≤ 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building per street frontage during grand opening period | Securely attached to wall of the building (alternative methods may be approved); not on roof or landscaping. | — | Sec. 19-706.D.11.a–l |
| Menu/Services/Merchandise Display Case (Permanent - C District only) | Top of sign ≤ 7 ft above grade | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per main entrance | Mounted securely on a building wall at main entrance. | — | Sec. 19-703.F.1–6 |
| Menu/Services/Merchandise Display Sign (Portable/Temporary) - CP-3 only | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | 1 per main entrance | On private property, within 5 ft of the main entrance door to the business; must not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular safety. | — | Sec. 19-704.E.1–7 |

## Prohibited signs in Clemson

- Off-premises signs, including billboards, are prohibited except as otherwise expressly permitted
- Flashing or scrolling signs, intermittent or flashing illumination, lights of changing intensity, pulsating interior window signs, strobe lighting, and highly reflective illuminated signs are prohibited (time/temperature signs allowed with changes no less than every 5 seconds)
- Signs that violate architectural review standards are prohibited
- Animated or moving signs or devices (including fluttering or rotating banners, pennants, flags, propellers, discs) are prohibited unless specifically permitted elsewhere in the chapter; exception for balloons not exceeding two feet in diameter
- Perimeter lighting using illuminated tubing or strings to outline property lines, open sales areas, rooflines, doors, windows, or wall edges is prohibited unless permitted by the Board of Architectural Review; shielded perimeter lighting may be used for open sales or parking areas
- Signs attached to or painted on a fence, overpass, utility pole, tower, tree, stone, or similar object are prohibited except where specifically permitted on walls or fences
- Temporary signs are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the ordinance
- Portable signs are prohibited except where specifically permitted
- Obsolete signs (identifying a previous use or activity) are prohibited more than 90 days after the use or activity has ceased
- Signs on public property or within streets are prohibited except traffic control signs and signs specifically permitted by City Council
- Signs that imitate emergency or traffic signs or signals, or that could distract, mislead, or confuse drivers, are prohibited
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited
- Signs that are lewd, suggestive, or obscene are prohibited
- Signs advertising articles or services for sale on residential property are prohibited
- No part of any sign attached to a building may extend above the uppermost point of the building (signs may be on parapet walls up to two feet above the base of the abutting roof)
- Changeable copy or electronic message boards in conjunction with wall signs are prohibited, except for fuel stations to display fuel grade and prices only
- Signs may not be painted directly on a building; they must be painted on a durable surface that is then mounted
- Signs must be located entirely on private property unless otherwise permitted; no permanent or temporary sign may be erected or maintained within a street right-of-way without approval by City Council or SCDOT

## Signs exempt from permit in Clemson

- Signs of public bodies approved by the city administrator (e.g., traffic regulatory devices, directional signs, emergency warnings, bus stop, taxi stand, legal notices, railroad crossings) are exempt from permit
- Traffic direction signs within a permitted parking lot not exceeding five square feet in area and with no advertising are exempt from permit
- One directory of occupants per building, not exceeding 10 square feet on a single building wall and with no logo or advertising, is exempt from permit
- Business identification signs on vehicles or trailers used for transport, not extending beyond normal vehicle body dimensions, are exempt from permit
- Traffic control signs on private property whose face meets department of transportation standards are exempt from permit
- Temporary unlighted construction project signs not exceeding 48 square feet are exempt from permit when a construction permit has been issued, and must be removed within three days after completion of construction
- Temporary unlighted real estate signs on property being sold or leased are exempt from permit (up to nine square feet on residential property; up to 32 square feet on commercial or industrial property)
- Lighting and banners installed as part of a community decoration program or event approved by the city council are exempt from permit
- Flags displaying noncommercial messages are exempt from permit, subject to limits on number (one per 25 linear feet of building wall), size (maximum 15 square feet per flag except U.S. and S.C. flags per EO 10834), proper mounting, and no roof or parapet mounting
- One flag per parcel displaying the official corporate symbol of a business, with a maximum area of 15 square feet and properly mounted without interfering with safety, is exempt from permit
- Temporary freestanding signs placed in, but not obstructing, the public right-of-way during city council–approved festivals, street events, or other sanctioned events, subject to location, time limits, and related restrictions, are exempt from permit
- Political campaign signs on private real property with owner or possessor consent are exempt from permit (up to 12 square feet in residential districts and up to 20 square feet in nonresidential districts) and must be removed within seven days after the campaign; signs placed in the public right-of-way may be removed by the city
- Help Wanted signs up to nine square feet, safely and securely attached to the building (with an alternative display method allowed if approved by the Zoning Administrator), are exempt from permit

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In Architectural Review (AR) Overlay Districts, a coordinated sign program is required for any new building or group of buildings that contain multiple businesses, or for new public uses with more than two signs

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Clemson, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Clemson+SC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-clemson

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