Sign Regulations in Duncan, South Carolina
Duncan, South Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 14 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Private Directional Sign, Signs for which permits are not required. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Duncan, South Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in Duncan
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | No closer than 5 feet to any property line. |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Signs for which permits are not required | — | — | Certain signs (e.g., for sale/lease) at least 10 ft from ROW unless on building. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
14
- Wall Sign
- Private Directional Sign
- Signs for which permits are not required
- Mobile Home Park Entrance Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Duncan
Other Cities in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Duncan vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Duncan, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Duncan, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Private Directional Sign, Signs for which permits are not required, Mobile Home Park Entrance Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Duncan, monument signs typically require a No closer than 5 feet to any property line. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Duncan are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Duncan has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Duncan, South Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
Duncan, South Carolina regulates 14 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 100 sq ft (total per entrance), with a See fence code for entrance wall signs setback (Sec. Sec. 117-30; Sec. 117-34(3)). Most commercial signs in Duncan require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Duncan, South Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Duncan (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 4 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft (total per entrance) | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 2 | — | 20 sq ft for 'for sale/lease/rent' signs, 100 sq ft for construction project signs | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 3 | 35 ft | 360 sq ft per sign structure | — |
| GBD | 1 | — | 360 sq ft per sign structure | — |
| CBD Central Business District | 3 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Parks | 2 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft total per entrance | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Duncan(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Front, side, or rear surface of building. Signs may project over sidewalks in CBD with at least 10 ft clearance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-28; Sec. 117-2(1); Sec. 117-90 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | No closer than 5 feet to any property line. | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-2(3), Sec. 117-32 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business or parcel | On site for which permitted. | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-33 |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per 500 ft of frontage | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-31 |
| Signs for which permits are not required | — | — | — | Certain signs (e.g., for sale/lease) at least 10 ft from ROW unless on building. | See individual limitations in ordinance | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-4 |
Residential Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Identification Sign or Bulletin Board (Multiple/Group/Other Non-Dwelling Buildings) | — | 60 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street right-of-way | One per entrance | At or near each entrance to multiple-family, group, or non-dwelling building | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-34(2) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft (total per entrance) | — | See fence code for entrance wall signs | 1-2 per entrance | At each subdivision entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-30; Sec. 117-34(3) |
| Mobile Home Park Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft (total per entrance) | — | See fence code for entrance wall signs | 1-2 per entrance | At each mobile home park entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-30; Sec. 117-34(4) |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per 500 ft of frontage | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-31; Sec. 117-34(3) |
Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Permitted Residential Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-57(1) |
| Freestanding (Detached) Sign | 35 ft | 150 sq ft per permitted sign | — | No closer than 10 ft to street right-of-way. | 1 per 300 ft of frontage for each road; if under 300 ft total, only 1 | Within front or side setback area; no closer than 10 ft to street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-57(2), (5) |
| Off-Premises Freestanding Sign (GBD/Industrial - No Business Enterprise on Lot) | — | 360 sq ft per sign structure | — | — | — | On any lot in GBD or industrial district without business enterprise | — | Unlock | Sec. 117-57(4) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Duncan — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Duncan — start freeProhibited Signs in Duncan
- No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations of this chapter, except that existing nonconforming signs may be maintained if in compliance with provisions set forth in chapter 125 relating to nonconforming uses.
- No sign shall display intermittent lights resembling the flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or in police, fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles.
- No sign shall use the words 'stop,' 'danger,' or any other phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that might mislead or confuse the driver of an automobile.
- No sign, whether temporary or permanent, except traffic signs and signals and information signs erected by a public agency approved by the zoning administrator, is permitted within any street or highway right-of-way.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, fence posts, telephone or other utility poles, or rocks or other natural features or painted on the roofs of buildings are prohibited.
- Fluttering ribbons and banners and similar devices are prohibited, except the flags of governments and their agencies and except as listed in this chapter.
- Signs placed or painted on a motor vehicle or trailer and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign not otherwise allowed by this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and not permitted to become dilapidated.
- No part of a freestanding sign shall be located closer than five feet to any property line.
- No signs, except as otherwise provided, shall exceed the height limitations of the district in which they are located.
- Sign illumination devices shall be placed and shielded so that rays therefrom or from the sign itself will not be directly cast into any residential district, sleeping room in any district, or in the eyes of an automobile driver.
- The placement of signs shall ensure visibility at intersections and ingress and egress drives in accordance with chapter 125, article V.
Exempt Signs in Duncan
- Traffic, directional, warning, or information signs authorized by any public agency approved by the zoning administrator.
- Official notices issued by any court, public agency, or public office.
- One non-illuminated 'for sale,' 'for rent,' or 'for lease' sign not exceeding six square feet in area in residential districts and 20 square feet in other than residential districts and located at least ten feet back from the street right-of-way line, unless attached to the front wall of a building.
- Signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns, provided they are removed within seven days following the election or conclusion of the campaign, do not exceed 16 square feet in surface area, and are not placed in the public right-of-way.
- On-site directional signs, provided that such sign bears no commercial message and does not exceed four square feet in area.
- Identification sign indicating the name and street number or owner or occupant of a parcel, as long as such sign does not exceed four square feet of copy area.
- Bulletin board, which primarily displays the name of a noncommercial place of public assembly and announces upcoming events of that organization, and does not exceed 36 square feet of copy area or five feet in height (restricted to one per parcel).
- Sign identifying a project under construction (denoting project, architect, etc.), not exceeding 25 square feet in residential districts or 100 square feet in nonresidential zones, not illuminated, and removed within seven days of completion.
- Signs attached or integrated into a gasoline pump, automatic bank teller machine, or drive-through component of a fast food restaurant, which give operational instructions, price, brand name, or descriptive information.
- Signs on the interior side of window glass.
- Decorative flags and banners which contain no commercial message when displayed on a residence.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Duncan
- A permit is required for the erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any sign intended for view from the public right-of-way unless otherwise noted, and shall be issued by the zoning administrator in accordance with this chapter.
- Applications for sign permits must include a scaled drawing depicting size, shape, colors, materials, copy/wording and designs, illumination type/electrical detail, and location on building (if attached).
- Permit applications for detached signs must include a plot plan or site sketch showing sign location on the lot, scale, parcel lines, sign height, support structures, electrical sources, and base landscaping.
- The zoning administrator may waive application requirements deemed unnecessary but must create a written public record of such waiver and the reason.
Source: municode municipal code