# Sign Regulations in Georgetown, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Georgetown, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/georgetown
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.georgetownsc.gov/Planning%20&%20Community%20Development/Zoning%20Articles/ARTICLE%20X%20SIGN%20REGULATIONS%20Amended.pdf?t=202507221029140)

## At a glance

Georgetown, South Carolina regulates 32 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Freestanding Sign - Perpendiculars in the Intermediate Commercial and Waterfront Commercial Districts (IC, WC) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 60 square feet per face, 120 square feet aggregate, with a 10 feet from right-of-way/property setback (Sec. 1013.101). Most commercial signs in Georgetown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 12 feet | 32 square feet per face, 64 square feet aggregate | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MR) | 6 | 8 feet | 40 square feet per face, 80 square feet aggregate | — |
| Historical District (HB) | 9 | Minimum 8 feet above sidewalk | 60 square feet | — |
| Core Commercial District (CC) | 9 | Minimum 8 feet above sidewalk | 60 square feet | — |
| Intermediate Commercial and Waterfront Commercial Districts (IC, WC) | 9 | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face, 120 square feet aggregate | — |
| General Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Industrial, and Heavy Industrial Districts (GC, NC, LI, HI) | 12 | 8 feet | 150 square feet per face, 300 square feet aggregate (60/120 in NC) | — |
| Conservation Preservation District (CP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### Historical District (HB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal building or per unit | Parallel to building plane | — | 1012.1 |
| Wall Sign - Perpendicular | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 additional | Perpendicular to street frontage on specified streets | — | 1012.104 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 2 per business | Attached to or behind window/door | — | 1012.2 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 feet 6 inches | — | 24 inches | — | 1 per business | In front of business entrance, not blocking sidewalk; encroachment permit if public | — | 1012.4 |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 8 feet above sidewalk | 4 square feet per face, 12 square feet aggregate | — | — | 1 per building | Perpendicular from building, max 4 feet extension, min 18 inches from curb | — | 1012.5 |
| Directory Sign - Wall | 8 feet | — | — | — | 1 | On wall | — | 1012.601 |
| Neon Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per business | Interior/exterior for open/closed or ATM | — | 1012.602 |
| Wall Sign - Rear Entrance | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 | On rear wall | — | 1012.603 |

### Intermediate Commercial and Waterfront Commercial Districts (IC, WC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Freestanding Sign - Perpendicular | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face, 120 square feet aggregate | — | 10 feet from right-of-way/property | 1 per lot | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line; not over line; 30 feet from other freestanding | — | 1013.101 |
| Wall Sign - Perpendicular | — | 20 square feet per face | — | — | 2 per principal building | On opposite side facades | — | 1013.102 |
| Monument Freestanding Sign - Parallel | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face, 120 square feet aggregate | — | 10 feet from right-of-way/property | 1 per lot | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line; not over line; 30 feet from other | — | 1013.201 |
| Wall Sign - Parallel | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal building (additional for corner) | Parallel to principal frontage; additional for corner = building depth max 30 sq ft | — | 1013.202 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 | Attached to window or glass door | — | 1013.301 |
| Neon Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per business | For open/closed or ATM | — | 1013.302 |
| Wall Sign - Rear Entrance | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 | On rear wall | — | 1013.304 |
| Directory Sign - Wall | 8 feet | — | — | — | 1 | On wall | — | 1013.305 |

### General Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Limited Industrial, and Heavy Industrial Districts (GC, NC, LI, HI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Freestanding Sign - Perpendicular | 8 feet | 150 square feet per face, 300 square feet aggregate (60/120 in NC) | — | 10 feet from right-of-way/property | 1 per lot (per frontage if parallel) | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line; not over line; 30 feet from other freestanding | — | 1014.101 |
| Wall Sign - Perpendicular | — | 60 square feet per face | — | — | 2 per principal building | On opposite side facades | — | 1014.102 |
| Monument Freestanding Sign - Parallel | 8 feet | 150 square feet per face, 300 square feet aggregate (60/120 in NC) | — | 10 feet from right-of-way/property | 1 per lot | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line; not over line; 30 feet from other | — | 1014.201 |
| Wall Sign - Parallel | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal building (additional for corner) | Parallel to principal frontage; additional for corner = building depth max 80 sq ft | — | 1014.202 |
| Roof Sign or Fixed Projecting Sign - Parallel | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal building | Parallel to front wall; not into ROW; min 10 feet above walkway if projecting | — | 1014.203 |
| Public Service Sign (GC) | — | 30 square feet per face, 60 square feet aggregate | — | — | 1 | Incorporated into permitted freestanding monument sign | — | 1014.301 |
| Neon Sign (GC, NC) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per business | For open/closed or ATM | — | 1014.303 |
| Wall Sign - Rear Entrance | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 | On rear wall | — | 1014.305 |

## Prohibited signs in Georgetown

- Any sign which emits a sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or vapor.
- Any temporary sign towed behind a vehicle, or watercraft excluding those associated with an approved special event.
- Any sign which is portable or not securely attached to a building or to the ground except as provided for in Section 1010 “Temporary Signs”.
- No sign or advertising display shall be attached to or placed against the outside of a building in such a manner as to prevent ingress and egress through any door obstruct access from windows, nor shall any sign or advertising display obstruct or be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any other public roadway, driveway, or alley. There shall be no sign, structure, or other obstruction to vision between the height of three feet and eight feet within the sign distance triangles established on Section 404 of this ordinance. In the event conditions at the time a permit is issued change due to street widening, driveway relocation or similar event, the sign owner shall relocate any sign, (at the owners expense) deemed an obstruction to vision.
- Any sign erected in a street or highway right-of-way except for signs of a governmental body used to convey legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, and direct or regulate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The Zoning Administrator shall be authorized to remove any unauthorized permanent, temporary, or portable signs erected or situated upon any right of way. Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Roof signs and fixed projection signs where any portion of the sign extends above the lowest point of the roof line of the building where the sign is located with the exception of facades.
- Any sign which exhibits statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects.
- Signs of any material including, but not limited to paper, paint, cardboard, plastic, wood, and metal which are painted on or attached to trees, lamp posts, hydrants, traffic signs, stairways, benches, refuse containers, rocks or other natural features, fences (except for warning signs on fences) or telephone or utility poles.
- Neon lights (interior or exterior) visible from the street(s) or right-of-way(s) shall be deemed signs and are prohibited with the exception of open/closed signs and ATM signs. Open/closed signs and or ATM signs shall not exceed one (1) sq. ft. and shall be allowed one (1) sign per business.
- Circulars, handbills, banners, inflatable signs, any and all other type inflatable, balloons, flags, streamers, spinners, placards, pennants or any other attention seizing device except as provided for in Section 1010 “Temporary Signs”.
- No lighting shall be utilized as a part of a sign illumination system that are not hooded or shielded so that the light source is not visible from any right-of-way or adjacent property. Such illumination system or sign shall not emit or reflect a glaring light so as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle operator as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Such illumination, when utilized, shall be white or off-white with no color shades, filters, etc.
- All off premises signs are prohibited and no permit shall be granted for construction of any off premises sign on or after the effective date of this ordinance.
- No sign, sign structure or attention-seizing device shall be shaped in the form of a statue of a human or animal figure or in the form of a three-dimensional model (i.e. dinner bucket, paint cans, cows, etc.).
- No sign which involves motion or rotation of any part of the sign structure or sign face using intermittent flashing lights, animation, or automatically changed copy or design, except Public Service Signs in allowed zoning districts as listed in this ordinance and shall be limited to only public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather, or other similar information. No advertising shall be permitted on such Public Service signs.
- No sign illumination system shall contain or utilize any beacon, spot, search or stroboscopic light, glaring light or reflector, which is visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property, nor shall such lights be operated outside, under any circumstances, except by authorized public agencies.
- Advertising flags.
- Signs using the words "stop", "danger" or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that misleads, confuses, or distracts a vehicle driver.
- No sign shall display lights resembling by color and design or other characteristics customarily associated with danger or those used by police, fire, ambulance and other emergency vehicles or for navigation. Automotive warning or flashing signs shall not be utilized as commercial attention-seizing devices.
- 'Spin' Advertising: persons standing on street corners or on private property with a sign to advertise a business, they toss, twirl and maneuver the cardboard and or any other type material used for signage like a baton to entertain and catch the eye of people who walk or drive by their performance.
- Any vehicle sign where the sign projects beyond the manufacturer’s profile of the vehicle and is displayed in public view under such circumstances as to indicate that the primary purpose of such vehicle is to advertise.
- No sign shall project or be located beyond property boundaries, except in the Core Commercial District. The exception regarding this zoning district applies only to projecting signs and sandwich board signs placed within the multipurpose Downtown Parking and Street Franchise District. Projecting signs and/or Sandwich Board signs located on public property or in the public right of way shall be required to obtain a city encroachment permit.
- Pylon signs except in cases where site conditions would impair visibility of drivers to enter and exit safely due to the placement of a free-standing monument sign as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Such freestanding signs, when determined to be appropriate due to conditions, shall have a maximum height of 20’.
- Signs placed on boardwalk except those signs placed by the City of Georgetown for governmental use or information.
- Any type of sign not specifically listed under each zoning district, as allowable signage shall be prohibited.
- Any sign erected, altered, displayed, or changed without approval from the Building and Planning Department, and fails to have a valid sign permit from the Building and Planning Department.
- Any other type or kind of sign which does not comply with the terms, conditions, and provisions contained in this Ordinance.
- Projected Image signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Georgetown

- Signs repainted, provided no alteration or reconstruction of the framing or support structure occurs;
- Signs receiving new face insert panels, either plastic or metal, providing no alteration or reconstruction of the framing or support structure occurs;
- The changing of lettering or numbers on signs designed for changeable copy signs lettering or numbering provided the signs were legally erected and maintained for the business being advertised;
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but shall not bear any advertising matter;
- Artwork that does not include any commercial messages or references (Ord. of 12-14-2000);
- Scoreboards and other signs at outdoor recreation facilities;
- Indoor signs placed a minimum of 5 feet from windows and doors and not intended to attract attention from the outside of the business;
- Window or door signs allowing for hours of operation and telephone number. (One (1) per business);
- Billboard paper displays if designed specifically for use on existing billboards;
- Accessory Signs on Vehicles and Trailers: Signs affixed to vehicles and trailers where the sign is incidental and accessory to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer provided all the following conditions are adhered to: 1. Primary purpose of such vehicle or equipment is not the display of signs. Vehicle and equipment are not used primarily as static displays advertising a product or services, not utilized as storage, shelter, or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public. 2. Signs are painted upon or applied directly to an integral part of the vehicle or equipment. 3. Vehicle/equipment is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate. 4. During period of inactivity exceeding five working days such vehicle/equipment is not so parked or placed that the signs thereon are displayed to the public. Vehicles and equipment engaged in active construction projects and the on-premises storage of equipment and vehicles offered to the general public for rent or lease (such as rental trucks and cars) are exempt from this prohibition.
- Emblems and Insignia: Commemorative plaques of recognized historical plaques, emblems, symbols and insignia of political, professional, religious, educational, or corporate organizations providing that such emblems, and insignia shall not be displayed for commercial purposes nor in such a manner as to act as attention-seizing devices not exceeding four (4) square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face not exceeding eight (8) square feet in aggregate gross surface area.
- Exterior Holiday Decorations: signs or other materials temporarily displayed for no more than thirty (30) days on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic, or religious holidays with the exception of Christmas decorations which shall be allowed to be displayed from November 15 – January 15 of each year.
- Governmental Flags: Flags, emblems and/or insignias of any governmental agency, or religious, charitable, public or nonprofit organizations, provided: 1. No parcel of land shall display more than three governmental flags (official United States flags and South Carolina Flags shall be exempt from this number) (amended 3-19-09); 2. No single governmental flag shall exceed forty (40) square feet in area. If the total area of the flags displayed exceeds one hundred and twenty (120) square feet, the excess area shall be included in the sign area calculated for the parcel of land. 3. The height of flagpoles shall not exceed twenty five (25) feet.
- Governmental Signs: Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety which are erected by, or at the order of a public officer or employee in the performance of the officer’s or employee’s duties. Such signs shall also include signs required by governmental bodies or specially authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance. Such public signs may be of any type, number, area, height, location, or illumination as required by law, statute, or ordinance. Signs may include, but are not limited to, traffic, directional, warning, or information signs authorized by any public agency; and official notices issued by any court, public agency, or officer.
- Memorial Signs: Memorial plaques, or tablets, grave markers, names of buildings, statutory, or other remembrances of persons or events that are non-commercial in nature.
- Name and Address Plates: Signs, not exceeding one (1) square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face nor exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of two (2) square feet, indicating the name of the occupant, the address of the premises, and identification of any legal business or operation which may exist at the premises.
- No Trespassing, No Dumping, No Parking, Towing, and Other Similar Sign: No trespassing, no dumping, no parking, towing, and other similar signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face, not exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of four (4) square feet and not exceeding two (2) in number per zoning lot in residential areas, not exceeding four (4) square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face nor exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of eight (8) square feet and not exceeding four (4) in number per zoning lot in non-residential areas.
- Public Services and Information Signs: Public service signs may be displayed that identify public services or conveniences, such as restrooms, telephones, credit cards accepted, hours of operation, SC Lottery (1) per business, vacancies, trading stamps given, trade association affiliations, octane ratings, self-service, and type of fuel provided that the total area of all such signs displayed shall not exceed four (4) square feet per occupancy, and further provided that such signs shall be designed and erected inside the perimeter of a permitted sign or mounted flush against a building or structure.
- Vending Machine/gas pump signs: Permanent, non-flashing signs on vending machines, gasoline pumps, ice containers, or other similar machines indicating only the contents of such devises, the pricing, of the contents contained within, directional or instructional information as to use, and other similar information not exceeding four (4) square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face not exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of eight (8) square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In Planned Development (PD) Districts, signs shall be set forth in the approved PD applications. Applications for signs within PD districts shall be reviewed on their merit, with compatibility to the sign regulations of the most similar zoning district as a major factor.
- In Master Planned (MP) Districts, signage regulations are implied to follow planned development standards similar to PD districts.
- Special overlay sign districts may be established by City Council ordinance for major development proposals encompassing one or more contiguous tracts of land at least ten (10) acres in size. Such districts specify sign restrictions that supersede certain sections of the ordinance. Applications must be prepared by an approved design professional and evaluated by the Planning Commission and City Council for appropriateness to architecture, site plan, function, land use, traffic patterns, information requirements, and surrounding developments.

## 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 Georgetown — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Georgetown+SC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-georgetown

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