# Sign Regulations in Laurens, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Laurens, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/laurens
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/SC/Laurens/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH44ZO_ARTVIISIRE)

## At a glance

Laurens, South Carolina regulates 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Principals in the B-1 zoning district are capped at 24 ft tall and 36 sq. ft., with a 5 ft minimum from property line. setback (Sec. Table 4, Table 5). Most commercial signs in Laurens require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3 | 6 | 12 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| RM | 6 | 12 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| RP | 10 | 24 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1 | 17 | 24 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| B-2 | 15 | 6 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| B-3, B-4, M | 18 | 45 ft | 378 sq. ft. (+ 50 sq. ft. for extended advertising) | — |
| HPO | 11 | 8 in. (letter height) | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| INS | 6 | 12 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Principal | 24 ft | 36 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft minimum from property line. | 1 per lot | Per lot. 5-foot minimum setback from property line. | — | Table 4, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Sign - Incidental | 24 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft minimum from property line. | 2 per lot | Per lot. 5-foot minimum setback from property line. | — | Table 4, Table 5 |
| Building Sign - Awning | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | On awning. The framing must be at least eight feet above ground/sidewalk, skirt at least seven feet above ground/sidewalk. | — | Table 4, Sec. 44-626(c) |
| Building Sign - Projecting | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | Attached by decorative bracket. At least 7 ft above ground/sidewalk; not above parapet/eave. | — | Table 4, Sec.44-626(e) |
| Building Sign - Wall | — | — | — | — | 1 per business per wall/entrance | On wall. No portion above parapet or eave. | — | Table 4, Table 5, Sec.44-626(b) |
| Temporary Sign - A-Frame | — | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business (HPO); may be less for B-1 | Daylight hours only. | — | Table 4, Table 6, note A |
| Temporary Sign - Posters | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft from street/curb. | — | At least five feet from street or curb; not on utility poles/right-of-way. | — | Table 4, Table 6 note C |
| Temporary Sign - Portable | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | Table 4, Table 6 note D |

### B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Awning | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | On awning. The framing must be at least eight feet above ground/sidewalk, skirt at least seven feet above ground/sidewalk. | — | Table 4, Sec. 44-626(c) |
| Building Sign - Marquee | — | — | — | — | — | Anchors, bolts, supports, rod and braces of incombustible materials. Guttered, connected to storm drains. | — | Table 4, Sec.44-626(j) |
| Building Sign - Projecting | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | Attached by decorative bracket. At least 7 ft above ground/sidewalk; not above parapet/eave. | — | Table 4, Sec.44-626(e) |
| Building Sign - Roof | — | — | — | — | — | On roof. | — | Table 4 |
| Building Sign - Roof, Integral | — | — | — | — | — | On roof, integral to architecture. | — | Table 4 |
| Temporary Sign - A-Frame | — | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business (HPO); may be less for B-2 | Daylight hours only. | — | Table 4, Table 6 note A |
| Temporary Sign - Posters | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft from street/curb. | — | At least five feet from street or curb; not on utility poles/right-of-way. | — | Table 4, Table 6 note C |
| Temporary Sign - Portable | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | Table 4, Table 6 note D |

### B-3, B-4, M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Billboards (Off-premises) | — | 378 sq. ft. (+ 50 sq. ft. for extended advertising) | — | 15 ft from property line. | Not to exceed number legally existing as of April 15, 2002; can increase with annexation. | Developed lot with a principal (on-premises) sign. | — | Table 4, Table 5, note E |
| Freestanding Sign - Principal | 45 ft | 160 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft minimum from property line. | 1 plus 1 additional with >300' frontage and spacing | 5 ft setback. One additional sign where frontage exceeds 300', with at least 300' between signs. | — | Table 4, Table 5, note D |
| Freestanding Sign - Incidental | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per lot | — | — | Table 4, Table 5 |
| Building Sign - Awning | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | On awning. Framing min eight ft above ground/sidewalk, skirt at least seven ft above. | — | Table 4, Sec. 44-626(c) |
| Building Sign - Projecting | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrances | Attached by decorative bracket. Min 7 ft above ground/sidewalk; not above parapet/eave. | — | Table 4, Sec.44-626(e) |
| Temporary Sign - A-Frame | — | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business (HPO); may be less for B-3/B-4/M | Daylight hours only. | — | Table 4, Table 6 note A |
| Temporary Sign - Posters | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft from street/curb. | — | At least five feet from street or curb; not on utility poles/right-of-way. | — | Table 4, Table 6 note C |
| Temporary Sign - Portable | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | Table 4, Table 6 note D |

## Prohibited signs in Laurens

- No sign may be erected within the city unless it conforms to the requirements of this article.
- All signs not expressly permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, fence posts, telephone or other utility poles, stationary vehicles, or natural features are prohibited.
- Signs displaying intermittent lights resembling flashing lights used in traffic signals, emergency vehicles, or other warning signals, and signs using the words 'stop', 'danger' or similar language to mislead or confuse motorists are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs and signs that no longer correctly direct, exhort any person, advertise a bona fide business, owner, product, or activity are prohibited.
- Signs that are dilapidated, not properly maintained, insecure, structurally unsound, or unable to meet minimum safety requirements are prohibited.
- Signs shall not be allowed in the public right-of-way, except as specifically provided in section 44-622.
- No sign shall be located within a vision clearance area.
- Stacked or double-decked sign faces or side-by-side sign faces are not permitted.
- Illuminated signs shall not shine directly on abutting properties; no illumination simulating traffic control devices or emergency vehicles is permitted; lights that are intermittently switched, change in intensity or color, or create the illusion of flashing or movement are not permitted.
- Permanent and temporary identification signs must be constructed in accordance with Building Code and National Electrical Code; must use durable all-weather materials.
- Images or graphics painted on permanent signs or buildings must be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner; permits for painted signs only issued to professional sign painters.
- No sign or supporting structure may be located over the traveled portion of any right-of-way, sidewalk or public walkway without an encroachment permit.
- Posters shall not be allowed on any telephone or power poles or any public right-of-way, and shall be placed no closer than five feet from a street or curb.

## Signs exempt from permit in Laurens

- Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Informational signs of a public agency or utility are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Church signs, in accord with state law, are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Historical signs and markers are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Emergency signs are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Directional signs of a temporary nature not exceeding three square feet in area and 24 hours in duration for such events as yard sales, auctions, public gatherings, etc., provided they are located no closer than 500 feet apart, are exempt from the prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way.
- Certain sign types are allowed without permit approval ('A' in Table 4), subject to all applicable requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan is required before issuance of any sign permit involving: (1) two or more contiguous lots or parcels under the same ownership; (2) a single lot or parcel with more than one principal use or building (not including accessory uses or buildings) or qualifying on the basis of street frontage for more than one free-standing sign; (3) a PUD (planned use district) project.
- Once approved by the zoning administrator, the common signage plan becomes binding on all businesses and uses occupying the lot, but may be amended by filing a new or revised plan.
- Any new or amended common signage plan for a property with existing nonconforming signs must include a schedule for bringing all signs into conformance within three years.
- Conditional signs in the HPO district require a certificate of appropriateness issued by the HP commission.

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

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