Sign Regulations in Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington, South Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 40 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Business Signs — General Location/Setback Rule, Total Sign Area Allowance (Individual Business), Maximum Number of Business Signs (Per Street Frontage). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Lexington, South Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in Lexington
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exempt Wall Identification Sign (at customer entrance) | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Exempt Hiring Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Exempt On-site Traffic Directional Sign (Private Property) | — | 4 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for LexingtonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
40
- Business Signs — General Location/Setback Rule
- Total Sign Area Allowance (Individual Business)
- Maximum Number of Business Signs (Per Street Frontage)
- Wall Sign (Individual Business)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Lexington
Other Cities in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Lexington 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, regulated sign types include Business Signs — General Location/Setback Rule, Total Sign Area Allowance (Individual Business), Maximum Number of Business Signs (Per Street Frontage), Wall Sign (Individual Business), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Lexington vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Lexington are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lexington has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lexington, South Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
Lexington, South Carolina regulates 40 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Residential Subdivision/Group Development/Apartment Complex Entrance Sign (Permanent)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft (if within required setback); 6 ft (if elsewhere) tall and 50 sq ft, with a minimum 10 ft from intersecting road ROW setback (Sec. § 159.06.02). Most commercial signs in Lexington require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lexington, South Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lexington (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | Flagpole height limited to either 35 ft or 50 ft as determined by zoning ordinance; PRD noncommercial residential flag displays are exempt from these limits. | 50 sq ft | — |
| Intense Development District (IDD) — General Commercial (GC), Industrial (IND), High-Density Residential (HDR) | 20 | 50 ft above highest elevation of interstate or interchange | 150/225/300 sq ft (based on 1/2/3+ frontages) | — |
| Restricted Development District (RDD) — Office Commercial (OC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Limited Commercial (LC) | 20 | 50 ft above highest elevation of interstate or interchange | 100/150/200 sq ft (based on 1/2/3+ frontages) | — |
| Protected Residential District (PRD) — Protected Residential (PR) | 1 | 4 ft (within required setback); 6 ft (outside required setback) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Protected Residential District 2 (PRD2) — Protected Residential Two (PR2) | 1 | 4 ft (within required setback); 6 ft (outside required setback) | 50 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lexington(sample of 3 of 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exempt Wall Identification Sign (at customer entrance) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business or tenant space | On the exterior wall next to the customer entrance of the business/tenant space. | — | Unlock | § 159.03.02(A) |
| Flags | Flagpole height limited to either 35 ft or 50 ft as determined by zoning ordinance; PRD noncommercial residential flag displays are exempt from these limits. | — | — | — | Max 3 flags | On flagpoles on private property. | — | Unlock | § 159.03.02(G); § 159.05.06(A)-(F) |
| Exempt Small Contractor/Trades Sign (while work is in progress) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tradesperson is implied; ordinance says 'one sign not exceeding 6 sq ft each' for contractors/subcontractors. | On the premises where repair/remodeling/repainting/improvement work is ongoing. | — | Unlock | § 159.03.02(K) |
| Weekend Directional Sign (WEDS) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per face | — | At least 1 ft from ROW | — | On private property; not closer than 1 ft from the road ROW; placed only where the direction changes; not more than 2 miles from the specified property. | — | Unlock | § 159.03.02(M)(1)-(6); § 159.03.08(C) |
| Temporary Sign — Contractor’s Sign (PRD/RDD) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On the premises of the work in PRD and RDD. | — | Unlock | § 159.05.01; § 159.03.08(C) |
| Temporary Sign — Contractor’s Sign (IDD) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On the premises of the work in IDD. | — | Unlock | § 159.05.01; § 159.03.08(C) |
| Temporary Sign — Temporary Subdivision | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 20 ft from all external subdivision property lines | Multiple allowed if spaced ≥500 ft apart | On premises of the subdivision. | — | Unlock | § 159.05.04; § 159.03.08(C) |
| Residential Subdivision/Group Development/Apartment Complex Entrance Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft (if within required setback); 6 ft (if elsewhere) | 50 sq ft | — | If placed in a median dividing entrance lanes: minimum 10 ft from intersecting road ROW | 1 per street frontage | At subdivision/group development/apartment complex entrance(s). | — | Unlock | § 159.06.02 |
Intense Development District (IDD) — General Commercial (GC), Industrial (IND), High-Density Residential (HDR)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sign Area Allowance (Individual Business) | — | 150/225/300 sq ft (based on 1/2/3+ frontages) | — | — | See related entry for maximum number per frontage | Applies to the business' total signage on the lot. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.02(A), (D)(1)-(2) |
| Wall Sign (Individual Business) | — | 10% of first-story wall area | — | — | Counts toward the per-frontage maximum and aggregate area cap | Attached to exterior building wall; projection ≤12 inches per definition of wall sign; cannot extend above roofline/parapet. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.02(B); § 159.07.06; § 159.04.05, § 159.04.20 |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business) | 10 ft (up to +20% allowance for copy extensions) | 64 sq ft (without changeable copy); 84 sq ft (with manual changeable copy) | — | Min 5 ft from all property lines | Counts toward max 2 per frontage | Permanently secured to the ground (monument/ground sign). | — | Unlock | § 159.02.03 (definition of freestanding sign); § 159.07.02(C) and (E); § 159.07.01 |
| Manual Changeable Copy (on any permitted business sign) | — | Up to 75% of the sign’s area (manual changeable copy) | — | — | One manual changeable copy area per sign face as part of overall sign | On a permitted business sign face (e.g., freestanding or wall). | — | Unlock | § 159.07.07; but see prohibitions § 159.04.22 (moving message boards prohibited) |
| Information Sign (Business Lot) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not counted toward sign number cap | On the business lot to provide information/directions. | — | Unlock | § 159.02.03 (information sign def.); § 159.07.10 |
| Commercial Center — Freestanding/Directory Sign | 20 ft (up to +20% for copy extensions) | 150 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per road frontage | At the commercial center frontage(s). | — | Unlock | § 159.07.03(A) (table for IDD); § 159.07.01; § 159.07.02(E) |
| Gasoline Price/Service Ground Sign (Additional) | — | — | 12 ft (maximum length) | Must meet IDD setback and other sign standards | 1 additional ground sign (if site not within a shopping center) | On-site at a place other than the pump island (not within shopping center exception). | — | Unlock | § 159.07.04(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate Oriented) | 50 ft above highest elevation of interstate or interchange | 100 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 additional interstate-oriented sign per qualifying business lot | On business lot along an interstate corridor. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.11; § 159.10.01(B) |
Restricted Development District (RDD) — Office Commercial (OC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Limited Commercial (LC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sign Area Allowance (Individual Business) | — | 100/150/200 sq ft (based on 1/2/3+ frontages) | — | — | See related entry for maximum number per frontage | Applies to the business' total signage on the lot. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.02(A), (D)(1)-(2) |
| Wall Sign (Individual Business) | — | 10% of first-story wall area | — | — | Counts toward per-frontage maximum and aggregate area cap | Attached to exterior building wall; projection ≤12 inches; cannot extend above roofline/parapet. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.02(B); § 159.07.06; § 159.04.05, § 159.04.20 |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business) | 10 ft (up to +20% allowance for copy extensions) | 64 sq ft (without changeable copy); 84 sq ft (with manual changeable copy) | — | Min 10 ft from all property lines | Counts toward max 2 per frontage | Permanently secured to the ground (monument/ground sign). | — | Unlock | § 159.02.03 (freestanding sign def.); § 159.07.02(C) and (E); § 159.07.01 |
| Automated Mechanical Changeable Copy (Monument Sign Portion) | — | 18 sq ft (maximum automated mechanical portion) | — | Same as the host monument sign (10 ft from property lines in RDD) | — | Within the face of a monument (freestanding) sign. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.13 |
| Information Sign (Business Lot) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not counted toward sign number cap | On the business lot to provide information/directions. | — | Unlock | § 159.02.03 (information sign def.); § 159.07.10 |
| Commercial Center — Freestanding/Directory Sign | 15 ft (up to +20% for copy extensions) | 100 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per road frontage | At the commercial center frontage(s). | — | Unlock | § 159.07.03(A) (table for RDD); § 159.07.01; § 159.07.02(E) |
| Gasoline Price/Service Ground Sign (Additional) | — | — | 12 ft (maximum length) | Must meet RDD setback and other sign standards | 1 additional ground sign (if site not within a shopping center) | On-site at a place other than the pump island (not within shopping center exception). | — | Unlock | § 159.07.04(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate Oriented) | 50 ft above highest elevation of interstate or interchange | 100 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 additional interstate-oriented sign per qualifying business lot | On business lot along an interstate corridor. | — | Unlock | § 159.07.11; § 159.10.01(B) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Lexington — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Lexington — start freeProhibited Signs in Lexington
- Signs imitating or resembling traffic or emergency signals or lights
- Signs that unduly confuse, distract, or divert motorists
- Signs obstructing fire escapes, downspouts, windows, doors, stairways, ladders, openings for light/air, or pedestrian views of roads
- Audible signs detectable off-site
- Signs with strobe, flashing, blinking, pulsating, fluctuating, animated, or moving lights
- Moving signs or signs presenting the illusion of movement (except windblown signs allowed under §159.04.16 and mechanical signs under §159.07.13)
- Signs attached to utility poles or street signs; or attached to/painted on trees, rocks, or other natural objects
- Portable signs (except as allowed for special events under §159.05.05)
- Signs advertising a discontinued product, place, activity, person, institution, or business (must be removed within 30 days of termination)
- Home occupation signs (no display pertaining to the commercial activity in the dwelling)
- Exposed neon tubes or materials with the appearance of exposed neon on the exterior
- Roof signs and signs projecting above the roofline
- Any sign placed on or in the public right-of-way
- Vehicle signs conspicuously parked to advertise to passing motorists or pedestrians
- Signs with fluorescent-colored letters and/or backgrounds
- Windblown signs (except permitted banners per §159.05.05 and banners exempted per §159.03.02(H))
- Bench signs
- Balloons and gas-filled figures used to draw attention (with limited exceptions in §159.04.18)
- Searchlights
- Animated signs and moving message boards
- Off-premise/advertising signs (all prohibited except Weekend Directional Signs authorized by §159.03.02(M)); existing off-premise signs only as nonconforming (no enlargement or conversion to electronic)
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated
- Signs placed within required intersection sight areas (per §159.03.09; IDD has specific encroachment limits)
Exempt Signs in Lexington
- One wall sign per business/tenant next to the customer entrance not exceeding 2 sq ft
- Hiring signs with total area not exceeding 6 sq ft, posted for no more than 30 days
- Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs required by governmental bodies
- Integral decorations or architectural features of buildings (excluding letters, trademarks, moving parts/lights, or otherwise prohibited signs)
- On-site traffic/directional signs on private property not exceeding 4 sq ft and bearing no commercial matter
- Wall identification signs and commemorative plaques not more than 4 sq ft; memorial cornerstones/tablets with building or commemorative information
- Flags in compliance with §159.05.06
- Banners erected or authorized by the Town of Lexington
- Temporary governmental signs (e.g., zoning, traffic)
- Civic club, religious, public, and eleemosynary signs not exceeding 6 sq ft (on or off premises) and not located in the public right-of-way
- One sign not exceeding 6 sq ft for craftsmen, artisans, house painters, contractors or subcontractors while work is being performed on the premises
- Political campaign signs on private property; must be removed within 7 days after the election or referendum
- Weekend Directional Signs (WEDS) for in-Town places or events, allowed Fri 6:00 p.m. to Sun 11:59 p.m.; owner name on sign; max 4 sq ft area and 3 ft height; stand-alone and secured; durable/waterproof materials; directional content only (no advertising); placed within 2 miles of destination, at least 1 ft from right-of-way, and only where direction changes
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lexington
- A Town sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically stated otherwise; application must include property owner authorization, owner info, site plan with exact location, and exact sign size/type (§159.10.01).
- State permits are required for businesses and advertising signs on federal highways; proof must be provided to the Town before erection (§159.10.01(B)).
- Approval expiration: if a building permit is not obtained within 1 year of sign plans being approved, the approval expires (§159.10.01(D)).
- Permit expiration: permitted work must start within 6 months and be completed within 12 months (§159.10.01(E)).
- Variances from sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment; appeals of administrator decisions go to the Board (§§159.10.05–159.10.06).
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text.
Source: municode municipal code