# Sign Regulations in Irmo, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Irmo, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/irmo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/SC/Irmo/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZOLADE_ARTVSIRE)

## At a glance

Irmo, South Carolina regulates 31 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Governmental Flag (Residential)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft flagpole tall and 15 sq ft per flag; 30 sq ft total, with a Setback equal to height of pole setback (Sec. Sec. 5-3.D.3). Most commercial signs in Irmo 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 | 13 | 25 ft flagpole | 40 sq ft per flag; 120 sq ft total | — |
| RS, RG | 3 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per side, 100 sq ft aggregate | — |
| RG | 1 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side, 100 sq ft aggregate | — |
| CG, CO, CN, LM, FA, IN | 10 | 25 ft (50 ft along I-26) | 50 sq ft per side; 100 sq ft aggregate | — |
| CG, CN, CO, LM | 2 | 25 ft | 65 sq ft per side; 130 sq ft aggregate | — |
| CG, LM | 1 | 10 ft | — | — |
| CG, CO, CN, IN | 1 | 36 in (3 ft) | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Governmental Flag (Residential) | 15 ft flagpole | 15 sq ft per flag; 30 sq ft total | — | Setback equal to height of pole | One flagpole per residential lot | Setback from all property lines equal to or greater than height of pole | — | Sec. 5-3.D.3 |
| Governmental Flag (Commercial) | 25 ft flagpole | 40 sq ft per flag; 120 sq ft total | — | Setback equal to height of pole | Up to 3 flagpoles per commercial lot | Setback from all property lines equal to or greater than height of pole | — | Sec. 5-3.D.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/lease | — | Sec. 5-3.N.3.a |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/lease | — | Sec. 5-3.N.3.b |
| Temporary Sign (Other Lots - Option 1: Banners) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 4 per lot (see requirements for multitenant lots) | — | — | Sec. 5-3.R.C.b |
| Temporary Sign (Other Lots - Option 2: Non-banner) | 10 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 4 per lot (see requirements for multitenant lots) | — | — | Sec. 5-3.R.C.ii |
| Temporary Sign (Election Period, Non-Residential Banners) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | No limit during designated period | On private property only, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.R.C.c |
| Temporary Sign (Election Period, Non-Residential Non-banner) | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | No limit during designated period | On private property only, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.R.C.c |

### RS, RG

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling | Mounted to wall of principal building | — | Sec. 5-3.F |
| Subdivision Sign (Permanent) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per side, 100 sq ft aggregate | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1-2 per entrance depending on configuration | Entrance to subdivision, on premises, at least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.P |
| Subdivision Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft aggregate | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | Entrance to subdivision, on premises, at least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.Q |

### CG, CO, CN, LM, FA, IN

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning, Canopy, Marquee Sign (Awnings/Marquees) | — | Part of total allowed wall sign area (see wall sign regs) | — | Refer wall sign projection limits (for awnings/marquees) | One per building side | Attached to building (awnings, marquees); see wall sign location regulations | — | Sec. 5-3.B |
| Awning, Canopy, Marquee Sign (Canopy) | — | 8% of canopy façade area | — | — | One per street frontage | On canopy | — | Sec. 5-3.B.3.b |
| Freestanding Sign (CN, CO, FA, IN: General) | 12 ft (6 ft for IN in residential districts) | 20 sq ft per side; 40 sq ft aggregate | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | One per street frontage | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.C.3.a |
| Freestanding Sign (CG, LM: General) | 25 ft (50 ft along I-26) | 50 sq ft per side; 100 sq ft aggregate | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | One per street frontage | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-3.C.3.b |
| Wall Sign (General - CN, CO, LM, FA, IN) | — | 10 sq ft or 8% of exterior front surface (whichever greater) | — | — | — | On building wall/facade | — | Sec. 5-3.S.c |
| Wall Sign (CG - Front Surface) | — | 8% of front surface of building | — | — | — | On exterior front surface of building | — | Sec. 5-3.S.d.i |
| Wall Sign (CG - Side/Rear Surface) | — | 3% of side or rear surface | — | — | — | On exterior side or rear surface of building | — | Sec. 5-3.S.d.ii |
| Projecting Sign (CG, CN, CO) | — | Counts towards wall sign area | — | N/A, but min 8 ft clearance above ground | — | Affixed to building/wall | — | Sec. 5-3.L |

## Prohibited signs in Irmo

- No sign displaying intermittent lights resembling the flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or on police, fire or rescue vehicles is permitted, nor shall any sign use the words 'stop,' 'danger' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in a manner that might mislead or confuse an automobile or other vehicular driver.
- Permanent moving signs, windblown signs or devices to attract attention, all or part of which move by any means, including fluttering, rotating or otherwise moving devices, set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or by mechanical, electrical or other means, including but not limited to flags, pennants, posters, propellers, discs, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, moving, fluttering or revolving devices, regardless of whether they contain written messages, except as permitted in this article.
- Except as provided in this article, no signs, whether temporary or permanent, except traffic signs, signals and information signs erected by a public agency, are permitted within any street or highway right-of-way.
- Any sign and/or sign structure which obstructs the view of, may be confused with or purports to be a governmental or traffic direction/safety sign.
- Signs copying or imitating official government signs or which purport to have official government status.
- Roof signs. Any sign or sign structure, other than freestanding, any portion of which extends above the parapet, building roofline or canopy against which the sign is located.
- Signs which display intermittent or flashing lights or lights of varying degrees of intensity, color, or moving parts, except barber's poles, time/temperature signs and signs erected by a public agency, including those placed in and on windows and glass doors for the purpose of attracting attention. (Permitted freestanding digital changeable copy signs are not prohibited by this section.)
- Portable or mobile signs utilizing any type of illumination or electrical connections.
- Changeable copy signs unless they meet the requirements of subsection 5-3(C); portable changeable copy signs are prohibited.
- Signs that identify or advertise a product or business not located at the premises (off-premises signs).
- Signs that create a safety hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Signs that display a message or graphic representation that is lewd, indecent or otherwise offensive to public morals.
- Abandoned signs, defined as a sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, activity conducted, or product available.
- Dilapidated signs, defined as any sign which is insecure or otherwise structurally unsound, has defective parts in the support, guys and/or anchors, or which is unable to withstand the wind pressure as determined by the zoning administrator or building inspector using applicable codes, or whose advertising copy or wording is not properly maintained.
- Searchlights and beacons.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying such sign. The parking of any vehicle which is not in operating condition or lacking current registration bearing a commercial message in the public view (with exception for lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles in normal business use).
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.
- Signs on street furniture (benches, trash cans, etc.) except for one sign of less than 64 square inches showing the donor of the item, provided the item is accepted by the town.
- Portable signs, except those permitted by this ordinance.
- Signs referencing businesses which have been out of business for more than 30 days.
- Sign structures no longer containing signs.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter.
- Signs violating any provision of any law of the state relative to outdoor advertising.
- Signs made structurally sound by unsightly bracing.
- Snipe signs; any form of leaflets, handbills, posters, flyers, announcements, or any other advertising and informational materials that are tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences, buildings, the ground or other objects.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
- No sign shall be located in the visual clearance zone as defined in the zoning regulations for use of lots.
- No illumination simulating traffic control devices or emergency vehicles shall be used, nor shall lights which are intermittently switched on or off, changed in intensity or color, or otherwise displayed to create the illusion of flashing or movement be permitted.
- For changeable copy signs, a sign on which the message or image changes more often than once every 15 seconds shall be considered a sign employing a confusion of motion and is not allowed.
- For changeable copy signs: such signs are not permitted to create the illusion of blinking, alternating, chasing, contracting or expanding, flashing, fading, repeating, oscillating, pulsating, rotating, rolling, running, scrolling, strobing, twinkling, or simulate moving video images, etc.
- For changeable copy signs: signs shall not employ flashing lights or lights of changing degree or intensity of color.

## Signs exempt from permit in Irmo

- Any signs, displays or devices allowed under this article may contain, in lieu of any other copy, an otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, or to a commodity of service for sale, and that complies with size, lighting and spacing requirements of this article.
- Governmental flags are allowed in all zones, subject to requirements.
- Holiday decorations, defined as signs or materials temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic or religious holidays containing no commercial message, are allowed, subject to time and lighting limitations.
- Informational signs installed by the town or other governmental entity, subject to posted guidelines and location safety, are allowed in all zones.
- Public/official notice signs erected by a public agency, such as traffic signals and signs, are permitted in all zones, including within right-of-way.
- Real estate signs are permitted in all zones, subject to requirements.
- During the period 45 days prior to a political primary or election until seven days following such an event the maximum number of temporary signs and the need for any permits shall be waived, with some limitations on placement and size; such signs shall not be permitted in the right-of-way.
- No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, including the railway right-of-way, except for: public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body, church signs in accordance with state law, informational signs of a public agency or utility regarding its facilities, emergency signs, directional signs, and signs of a temporary nature not to exceed 24 hours duration for such events as yard sales, auctions, public gatherings, etc., provided such signs shall not be attached to a tree, utility pole, traffic sign, or other public structure.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit shall be required for the erection, alteration or reconstruction of any sign unless otherwise noted and shall be issued by the town or its agent.
- Signs allowed by right as noted in the use table (e.g., governmental flags, holiday decorations, informational signs, public/official notice, real estate) do not require a permit.
- Sign applicants may seek appeal from the zoning administrator or the board of zoning appeals regarding signs in right-of-way or for other variance purposes.
- The zoning administrator is authorized to grant administrative variances for number, height, setback, square footage or placement of signs in cases of unusual circumstances or particular hardship; applicants or the administrator may refer such requests to the board of zoning appeals.
- For developments where existing signage is non-conforming, newly proposed signage may meet the standards of the existing signage with permission of the zoning administrator.

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

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