# Sign Regulations in Conway, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Conway, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/conway
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-25
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms1files.revize.com/conway/Current%20UDO%20(10.6.25).pdf?t=20251013080704924&t=20251013080704924#page=284)

## At a glance

Conway, South Carolina regulates 25 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Hanging or Suspended Signs in the Professional District (P) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 8 sq ft, with a 8 ft clearance setback (Sec. 11.4.5(A)-(D)). Most commercial signs in Conway require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 7 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts | 3 | — | ≤25% of main area of the awning or ≤25 sq ft, whichever is smaller | — |
| Professional District (P) | 14 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Institutional District (IN) | 14 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Campus District (IC) | 12 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (NC) | 14 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (structure) | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC) | 14 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC) (US HWY 501 Bypass, including Church Street) | 10 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Core Commercial District (CC) | 13 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 11 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Waccamaw Riverfront District (WRD) | 11 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 10 | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Heavy Industrial District (HI) | 10 | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Conservation Preservation District (CP) | 8 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Forest Agricultural District (FA) | 8 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Flexible Zone (MU) | 7 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Upper Main Street Overlay (MSO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gateway Corridor Overlay (GCO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Village Corridor Overlay (VCO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Coastal Carolina University Neighborhood Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 21 zones)

### Professional District (P)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of applicable building facade | — | General 5 ft | Max two per tenant space | At public entrance; second allowed on different facade for corner lot or second entrance. | — | 11.4.1(A)-(C); 11.1.8(5),(9) |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤25% of awning area or ≤25 sq ft, whichever smaller | — | 8 ft clearance | One per tenant space | On awning; clearance 8 ft above public ROW/sidewalk. | — | 11.4.3(A)-(D); 11.1.8(5) |
| Hanging or Suspended Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | One per tenant space | Attached to building with public entrance; 8 ft clearance above ROW/sidewalk. | — | 11.4.5(A)-(D) |
| Monument Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft; may be reduced per 11.1.7 | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard; Planning Department may allow within setback if visibility maintained. | — | 11.4.6(A)-(E); 11.1.8(5),(9) |
| Monument Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.6(B)(1),(E); 11.1.8(5),(9) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yards. | — | 11.4.7(B)(1),(C),(E); 11.1.8(5) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yards. | — | 11.4.7(B)(1),(C),(E); 11.1.8(5) |
| Arm Post Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yards. | — | 11.4.8(B)-(E); 11.1.8(5) |

### Institutional District (IN)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of applicable building facade | — | General 5 ft | Max two per tenant space | At public entrance; corner/second entrance may have second sign. | — | 11.4.1(A)-(C); 11.1.8(9) |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤25% of awning area or ≤25 sq ft, whichever smaller | — | 8 ft clearance | One per tenant space | On awning; clearance 8 ft. | — | 11.4.3(A)-(D) |
| Hanging or Suspended Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | One per tenant space | Attached to facade with public entrance; 8 ft clearance. | — | 11.4.5(A)-(D) |
| Monument Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.6(B)(2),(E) |
| Monument Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.6(B)(2),(E) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.7(B)(2),(C),(E) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.7(B)(2),(C),(E) |
| Arm Post Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.8(B)-(E) |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of facade | — | General 5 ft | Max two per tenant | Public entrance; second allowed for corner/second entrance. | — | 11.4.1(A)-(C); 11.1.8(9) |
| Hanging/Suspended Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 8 ft clearance | One per tenant space | On façade with public entrance; 8 ft clearance. | — | 11.4.5(A)-(D) |
| Monument Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft; may be reduced by Planning per 11.1.7 | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard; may be in setback with Planning approval. | — | 11.4.6(B)(1),(E); 11.1.7(B); 11.1.8(9) |
| Monument Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.6(B)(1),(E) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.7(B)(1),(C),(E) |
| Freestanding Post Sign (3+ Tenants) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.7(B)(1),(C),(E) |
| Arm Post Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General 5 ft | One per lot; +1 for multiple street frontages | In required street yard. | — | 11.4.8(B)-(E) |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign (Freestanding Post) | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (structure) | — | Subject to 11.1.7 setbacks | One per major entrance as determined by Planning & Development | May be located in required buffer; subject to Planning & Development approval and consistent with setbacks. | — | 11.4.17(A)-(E); 11.1.8(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Conway

- Unlawful to erect, use, or maintain a sign or sign structure on public property or in a public right-of-way without City of Conway approval; each violation is a separate offense ($50 fine) and the City may remove and discard such signs.
- Any sign in disrepair or unsafe condition (not maintained, deteriorated, defective, peeling/faded, missing parts) is declared a nuisance and a prohibited sign; must be removed or brought into compliance.
- If a sign is damaged more than 50% of reproduction value, it may only be restored/reconstructed/altered to conform to all current provisions of Article 11.
- Obsolete or abandoned signs (no longer in use for 60 days, or sign structures with no copy) are prohibited from re-establishment and must be removed in their entirety.
- When a sign is relocated, made inoperative, or removed (except for maintenance), all structural components (including sign face and structure) must be removed; freestanding sign components must be removed to ground level and/or back to original building configuration.
- Roof signs or any sign where any portion extends above the roofline are prohibited.
- Pole signs and pylon signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs that project beyond the manufacturer’s profile and are displayed primarily to attract attention (rather than serving the vehicle’s customary business use) are prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound, odor, smoke, vapor, or other visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs towed behind vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft are prohibited.
- Portable signs or signs not securely attached to a building or the ground are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct ingress/egress from required doors, windows, escape routes, or that attach to fire escapes are prohibited.
- Any non-freestanding sign extending above the parapet, building roofline, or canopy against which it is located is prohibited.
- Signs erected in street or highway rights-of-way are prohibited except governmental signs.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene, pornographic, or immoral content are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, lamp posts, parking meters, hydrants, traffic signs, stairways, benches, refuse containers, rocks or other natural features, and telephone or utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct motorist vision between 2 and 10 feet in height within required sight triangles (Section 7.1.8) are prohibited.
- Circulars, handbills, banners, inflatable signs, dirigibles, feather flags, banner flags, streamers, spinners, placards, pennants, or similar attention-seizing wind-activated devices are prohibited except where expressly exempt in Section 11.2.1.
- Signs shaped as statues of human or animal figures or as three-dimensional models (e.g., dinner buckets, paint cans, Christmas trees) are prohibited.
- Signs involving motion or rotation, intermittent flashing lights, animation, or automatically changed copy/design are prohibited, except EMCs where permitted under Section 11.4.9.
- Sign illumination systems with beacons, spot/search/stroboscopic/glaring lights or reflectors visible from public rights-of-way or adjacent properties are prohibited (outside operation only by authorized public agencies).
- Signs using words or symbols like “stop” or “danger” in a misleading or distracting manner to drivers are prohibited.
- Signs displaying lights resembling emergency or danger signals; automotive warning/flashing signs used as commercial attention devices are prohibited.
- Any sign erected, altered, displayed, or changed without Planning & Development approval and a permit from the Construction Services Department is prohibited.
- Any sign that does not comply with Article 11 is prohibited.
- Off-premises signs (including traditional and digital billboards) are prohibited except as allowed by the Billboard Sign Replacement Program (Section 12.1.6(F)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Conway

- Accessory signs on vehicles and trailers where the sign is incidental and accessory to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer.
- Public service and information signs (e.g., restrooms, telephones, hours of operation, fuel type, credit cards accepted) not exceeding 4 sq ft per occupancy and mounted inside a permitted sign’s perimeter or flush to a building.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, professional, religious, educational, or corporate organizations, provided they are not displayed for commercial purposes or as attention-seizing devices.
- Governmental signs required or authorized by law; governmental signs are the only signage permitted in public rights-of-way and may be of any type/number/area/height/location/illumination as required by law.
- Grandfathered signs granted exceptions to Article 11 when determined historic by the Community Appearance Board (CAB) using NPS Technical Preservation Brief #25 and/or Conway Historic Design Review District Guidelines.
- Historic identification signs granted exceptions to Article 11, with size/placement/attachment approved by the CAB.
- Holiday decorations temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic, or religious holidays.
- Memorial signs (plaques, tablets, grave markers, names of buildings, statuary, or other remembrances) that are non-commercial in nature.
- Name and address plates not exceeding 2 sq ft per face and 4 sq ft aggregate.
- No trespassing/dumping/parking/towing/directional and similar signs: up to 2 signs per residential zoning lot (max 2 sq ft per face, 4 sq ft aggregate); up to 4 signs per non-residential zoning lot (max 4 sq ft per face, 8 sq ft aggregate). Planning Department may authorize additional signs under proven special circumstances.
- Religious/historical symbols or insignia not exceeding 2 sq ft per face and 4 sq ft aggregate.
- Vending machine and ATM signs indicating contents/pricing/directional/instructional information not exceeding 4 sq ft per face and 8 sq ft aggregate.
- Changing letters or numbers on legally erected changeable copy signs and marquees designed for such change.
- Political signs announcing candidates, parties, or ballot issues, provided they comply with Section 11.4.19.
- Murals (artistic exterior wall paintings/illustrations/decorations not intended as advertising); murals intended as signage are subject to all sign requirements; murals within Historic Design Review Districts require CAB review and approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required citywide unless a sign is expressly exempt; signs must be approved by the Planning & Development Department and a permit issued by the Construction Services Department (Section 11.5.1(A)).
- Permit applications must include a site plan of the proposed signage drawn to scale (showing elevations on building/awning/canopy or property plan and proposed location for freestanding signs), specifications and scaled drawings (materials, design, dimensions, structural supports, electrical), owner/contractor information, sign valuation, and any additional information required by the Planning Department (Section 11.5.1(B)).
- Community Appearance Board (CAB) review and approval is required for signs on properties within a Historic Design Review District (HDRD); CAB also reviews murals within HDRDs and determines ‘grandfathered’ and historic identification sign exceptions (Sections 11.5.1(C) and 11.2.1(E), (F), (O)(2)).
- Shopping center identification signs must have sign structure design and size incorporated into overall site development plans and be approved by the Technical Review Committee (TRC); location in required buffers is subject to Planning & Development approval and setback standards (Section 11.4.17(A), (B)(4)).
- Before issuing zoning compliance/permit for Electronic Message Center (EMC)/LED signs, the applicant/sign company must certify illumination specifications; EMC/LED signs are restricted to certain districts and conditions, limited to one per parcel, and have specific setback and operation limits (Section 11.4.9(C)(4), (D), (E), (F)).
- Planning Department may approve placement of directional and monument signs within required setbacks or reduce sign setbacks if visibility and compatibility standards are met (Section 11.1.7(A)-(C)).
- Failure to obtain a final satisfactory inspection within the permit period renders the permit invalid; the applicant must reapply or remove the sign and sign structure (Section 11.5.1(E)).
- Parties aggrieved by the Planning Department’s determination that a sign is damaged more than 50% may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (Section 11.1.4(B)).

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 21 zoning districts in Conway — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Conway+SC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-conway

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