# Sign Regulations in Edisto Beach, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Edisto Beach, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/edisto-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/SC/Edisto_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH86ZO_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Edisto Beach, South Carolina regulates 33 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Yard Signs in the R-1, R-2, R-4 zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 9 sq ft, with a 10 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from adjacent property line setback (Sec. Sec. 86-214(a)(16)). Most commercial signs in Edisto Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-4 | 8 | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — |
| R-7 | 1 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| C-1 | 5 | — | 150 sq ft | — |
| C-2 | 8 | — | 150 sq ft | — |
| C-3 | 9 | 42 in | 150 sq ft | — |
| PUD | 2 | — | — | — |
| Commercial zoning district | 1 | — | 9 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### R-1, R-2, R-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation or Clubhouse Identification Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On private property; against principal building wall. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(5), (c) |
| Residential Subdivision or Multifamily Identification Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | On premises. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(8), (c) |
| For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property for sale/lease/rent. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(3)-(4), (c) |
| Yard Sign | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per lot | On private property; at least 10 ft from ROW and 10 ft from adjacent property line. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(16) |
| Home Identification Sign | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Attached to building or on rod/post no more than 5 ft high. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(10) |
| Bulletin Board and Identification Sign for Nonprofit | — | 9 sq ft each | — | — | 1 bulletin board, 1 identification sign per lot | Lot of record used for operations of a nonprofit | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(6) |
| Temporary Nonprofit Event Signs (Directional, Sandwich Board, Banner) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property for nonprofit event. | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(7) |
| Campaign Sign | — | 9 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | On private property with owner permission | — | Sec. 86-214(a)(9) |

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft from side yard; not beyond front property line. | 1 per business | No closer than 5 ft from any side yard line. If projecting into front yard, shall not extend beyond front property line. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(1), (e)(2) |
| Shopping Center/Unified Business Development Sign (Individual Store Wall Signs) | — | 100 sq ft per business establishment | — | — | 1 per business establishment | On building in shopping center/unified development. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(1), (e)(4) |
| Main Shopping Center/Unified Business Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center/unified business development | On property of development/shopping center. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(1), (e)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Store on Lot) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Lot with a single business. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(1), (e)(4) |
| Menu Reader Board (Drive-in or Drive-through) | — | Not defined; excluded from total allowed signage for property. | — | — | — | Drive-in or drive-through restaurant service. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(2)a |
| Fuel Pump Sign | — | No larger than the pump itself. | — | — | — | Petroleum service station, attached to pump. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(2)b |
| Private On-site Directional/Information Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-site at business, for traffic/direction. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(2)c |
| Marina-Based Operations Dock Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per marine-based business | Displayed on dock at embarking/disembarking location. | — | Sec. 86-213(f)(3) |

### C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft from side yard; not beyond front property line. | 1 per business | No closer than 5 ft from side yard line, not beyond front property line. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Shopping Center/Unified Business Development Sign (Individual Store Wall Signs) | — | 100 sq ft per business establishment | — | — | 1 per business establishment | On building in shopping center/unified development. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Main Shopping Center/Unified Business Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center/unified business development | On property of center/development. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Store on Lot) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Lot with a single business establishment. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Menu Reader Board | — | Not defined; excluded from maximum signage area. | — | — | — | Drive-in/Drive-through restaurant service. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Fuel Pump Sign | — | No larger than pump | — | — | — | At pump on service station property. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Marina-Based Operations Dock Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per marine-based business | Displayed on dock at embarking/disembarking location. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(1) |
| Sandwich Board (A-Frame) Sign | 42 in | 12 sq ft total (6 sq ft per side) | — | Not within 10 ft of any ROW or property line. | 1 per business | On property of business; not within 10 ft of street or highway ROW or property line. | — | Sec. 86-213(g)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Edisto Beach

- Signs which utilize illumination from bare light bulbs which are not directed toward the face of the sign, except where individual bulbs are 15 watts or less or not to exceed 400 lumens.
- Internally illuminated exterior commercial signs are prohibited.
- Fluttering ribbons, pennants, banners, and similar devices used for commercial advertising, except as specifically permitted elsewhere.
- Signs imitating traffic devices (signals and warnings) and signs using such words as 'stop' or 'danger'.
- Signs in wetlands or tidelands/marshes.
- Signs in rights-of-way, except for temporary signs erected by the town.
- Snipe signs (signs attached in any way to a utility pole, tree, fence, post, or any other object located on public property), excluding public warning signs.
- Signs mounted on vehicles or trailers, except for magnetic signs, lettering, and vehicle wraps.
- Roof mount signs.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, fence posts, telephone or utility poles, or natural features.
- Changeable copy signs, except where the changeable portion is not more than 50% of the area of the sign.
- Off-premises signs.
- Parking lot signage (signs located in parking lots) other than traffic control and private, on-site directional/information signs.
- Handwritten signs, except yard sale signs.
- Obscene or pornographic signs visible to the public.
- No sign of any type, size, design, purpose or intent for view off site may be erected in the Town except in accordance with Article V.
- Signs in disrepair not repaired, renovated, or removed within 30 days of notice are prohibited.
- Obsolete signs (advertising unavailable businesses, services, or events, or containing outdated information) not remediated or removed within 30 days are prohibited.
- Signs erected so as to interfere with the vision of vehicles operated along any highway, street, road, or driveway, or at any intersection, are prohibited.
- No sign shall be attached to a wall lacking sufficient strength or nailed/attached in any way to trees, telephone poles, or other objects.
- Any sign erected without a required permit or in violation of permit terms.

## Signs exempt from permit in Edisto Beach

- Traffic, directional warning, or information signs authorized by any public agency.
- Official notices issued by any court, public agency, or officer of any court or public agency.
- One non-illuminated 'For Sale' or 'For Lease' sign not to exceed nine square feet, provided all such signs are removed 30 days after closing of sale or lease.
- One non-illuminated 'For Rent' sign not to exceed nine square feet in area attached upon a seasonal residential rental unit.
- One sign for a home occupation or to identify a clubhouse, not illuminated, not larger than nine square feet, mounted against a wall of the principal building.
- One bulletin board and one identification sign on a lot of record used for operations of a non-profit organization in any zoning district, limited to 9 square feet each.
- Directional signs, portable signs, sandwich board signs, and banners identifying functions of a non-profit organization, not exceeding nine square feet in area and not erected for more than 15 days prior to the function.
- One sign identifying by name only residential subdivisions or multi-family dwellings, not exceeding nine square feet and located on premises.
- Campaign signs (not on public property/utility poles/right-of-way, up to nine square feet, certain display period).
- One home identification sign, not exceeding nine square feet, attached to the building or on a post not more than five feet high stating only name/number/home name.
- Community service bulletin board on a commercial lot, not to exceed nine square feet, conforming to building code administrator approval.
- Signs and banners for special events, not displayed for more than 30 days before the event.
- Fluttering ribbons, pennants, banners, and similar devices displayed no more often than once per month per lot and not for more than 48 hours per occasion.
- Certain business event banners (e.g., for bands, specials) at retail establishments between 8AM Friday and 4PM Monday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, not exceeding 30 square feet.
- Flags, each not over 5 feet by 8 feet, not encroaching into right-of-way or obstructing motorists' views.
- One yard sign per lot of record (not exceeding 9 square feet, not exceeding 5 feet high, proper placement from right-of-way/property lines).
- Permanent, free-standing, on-premises house numbering (address) signs with numbers at least four inches high.
- One building contractor's or developer's sign, not over nine square feet, on a lot under construction; subcontractor signs in similar size/conditions.
- Yard sale signs (with size, duration, and placement rules).
- Electronic changeable copy signs displayed from inside the building in C-1, C-2, and C-3 districts, with limited display area.
- Wayfinder signs (as approved by town council and maintained by the town in any district).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must include a scale drawing of the site showing the proposed location of the sign, the location and size of all other signs on the property, the location and dimensions of all buildings, the location and name of abutting streets, and site frontage dimensions.
- Application for a sign permit must include all required documents and fees, and may require additional information to ensure compliance.
- Routine maintenance, including changing copy in compliance with a sign plan, does not require a permit.
- Shopping center or unified business development signs must comply with specific aggregate signage requirements, suggesting need for master sign plan.
- Copy changes may be allowed only by permit and permission of the building department and based upon guidelines in section 86-211.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Edisto Beach — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Edisto+Beach+SC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-edisto-beach

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