# Sign Regulations in North Augusta, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Augusta, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/north-augusta
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.northaugustasc.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/25925/638743620816730000#page=144)

## At a glance

North Augusta, South Carolina regulates 51 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Freestanding/Ground Sign (General small-format)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Pole sign: 8 ft; Ground sign: 5 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a Ground sign minimum 1 ft; maintain sight triangle setback (Sec. 9.6.5(15); 9.4.4; 9.4.5). Most commercial signs in North Augusta require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | Flagpole height ≤ district max or 45 ft, whichever is less | 100 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Single Family Large Lot Residential (R-14); Single Family Medium Lot Residential (R-10); Small Lot Single Family Residential (R-7); Mixed Residential (R-5); Manufactured Home Residential (R-MH) | 10 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Office Commercial (OC) | 5 | 12 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 4 | 10 ft | 160 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| General Commercial (GC) | 6 | 20 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Thoroughfare Commercial (TC) | 5 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Downtown Mixed-Use 1 (DTMU1); Downtown Mixed-Use 2 (DTMU2) | 10 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft or 7% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Corridor Preservation Mixed-Use (CPMU) | 5 | 10 ft | 160 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (IND) | 5 | 20 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development (PD) | 7 | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Critical Areas (CR); Flood Hazard Overlay (FLO) | 4 | 8 ft | 16–32 sq ft (per development condition) | — |
| Public Use (P) | 5 | 10 ft | 160 sq ft or 10% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — |
| Sweetwater Planned Development (PD) | 3 | 20 ft | 120 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign (Non-Residential Development) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 by right; additional signs allowed only per approved Master Signage Plan | Must be on private property; must abut a public road frontage at the main entrance to the project | — | Table 9.4; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(1)(a–e) |
| Construction Sign (Residential ≥10 lots/units) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 by right; additional per Master Signage Plan | Private property at main project entrance | — | Table 9.4; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(1) |
| Construction Sign (Residential <10 units) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 by right; additional per Master Signage Plan | Private property at main project entrance | — | Table 9.4; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(1) |
| Accessory Sign | 2 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 0 ft (not in sight triangle) | — | As needed to support site circulation and operations | — | 9.1.3; 9.6.5(5) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Two Identical—each) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft (each) | — | — | 2 (identical), placed symmetrically | At subdivision entry; may be located in ROW within a required median but outside paved section | — | 9.6.5(6)(e)(ii) |
| Projecting Sign (General) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Pedestrian clearance ≥7 ft; vehicular areas clearance ≥8 ft | 1 per building frontage; multi-tenant may have 1 per tenant | Affixed to and projecting from building | — | 9.6.5(13); 9.4.3(1–2) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (General small-format) | Pole sign: 8 ft; Ground sign: 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Ground sign minimum 1 ft; maintain sight triangle | One per building in lieu of a canopy sign | May be in ROW with approved encroachment permit; in lieu of canopy sign where wall/canopy sign lacks adequate visibility | — | 9.6.5(15); 9.4.4; 9.4.5 |
| Flag and Flagpole | Flagpole height ≤ district max or 45 ft, whichever is less | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Per freestanding sign setbacks | 1 flag/pole exempt from total signage; additional count toward total | Flagpoles must comply with freestanding sign setback requirements | — | 9.1.3(7) |

### Single Family Large Lot Residential (R-14); Single Family Medium Lot Residential (R-10); Small Lot Single Family Residential (R-7); Mixed Residential (R-5); Manufactured Home Residential (R-MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Table 9.5; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(2) |
| Construction Sign (Residential; see General Regulations for categories) | 8 ft | 16–32 sq ft (see categories) | — | — | 1 by right; additional per Master Signage Plan | Private property at main project entrance | — | Table 9.4; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(1) |
| Vacant Lot Sign | 4–8 ft (by parcel size) | 6–32 sq ft (by parcel size) | — | — | — | Vacant parcels | — | Table 9.6; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(3) |
| Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | 9.1.3; 9.5.1(5); 9.6.5(4) |
| Accessory Sign (Residential) | 2 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 0 ft (not in sight triangle) | — | As incidental and necessary to use | — | 9.1.3; 9.6.5(5) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | Single—unspecified; Two Identical—4 ft | Single—unspecified; Two Identical—16 sq ft each | — | — | Max 1 single or 2 identical | Internal to and visible from initial entry; may be in ROW median outside paved section | — | 9.6.5(6) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Individual Residential Lot Use) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft front/side/rear | — | On residential lot | — | 9.6.4(1)(b–c) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Multi-Family Development and Uses) | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Front 5 ft; Side 10 ft | — | On multi-family development parcel | — | 9.6.4(2)(c) |

### Downtown Mixed-Use 1 (DTMU1); Downtown Mixed-Use 2 (DTMU2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft or 7% of Wall Area (whichever is less) | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Table 9.3; 9.6.3(2)(b–f) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft or 0.25 sq ft/lf (whichever is less) | — | Front 0 ft; Side 0 ft | 1 per parcel (per 9.4.2(4)(a)) | On site frontage | — | Table 9.3; 9.6.3(2)(b–f) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | Pedestrian clearance ≥7 ft; vehicular areas clearance ≥8 ft | 1 per frontage; or 1 per tenant in multi-tenant buildings | Affixed to and projecting from building | — | Table 9.2; 9.6.5(13); 9.6.3(2) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft or 5% of wall/facade area (whichever is less) | — | — | Max 1 | On marquee supported from building wall | — | Table 9.2; 9.6.5(14); 9.6.3(4) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤50% of window area on any single façade | — | — | — | Inside or within 6 inches of window; visible from outside | — | Table 9.2; 9.1.3; 9.6.5(7); 9.6.3(2) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | ≤50% canopy/awning face area | — | — | — | On canopy/awning | — | Table 9.2; 9.6.5(9); 9.6.3(2) |
| Menu Board | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Side or rear of building | — | Table 9.2; 9.6.5(8); 9.6.3(2) |
| Temporary Sign (DTMU sidewalk placement) | 8 ft | Per Table 9.5 (DTMU falls under All Other Districts: 16 sq ft, 8 ft) | — | — | — | On sidewalk: ≥20 ft from public entrance; must maintain ≥5 ft free walkway; removed when business closed | — | 9.6.5(2)(b)(i–iv) |

## Prohibited signs in North Augusta

- Any sign that displays intermittent or flashing illumination which changes more than once in any 30 second period (flashing signs)
- Portable signs, except when used as a temporary sign as permitted in this article
- Any sign or advertising device attached to or painted on a fence, power or telephone pole, tree, stone, or any other natural object
- Roof signs
- Fluttering signs, ribbons, or banner
- Illuminated tubing outlining property lines, open sales areas, or parking areas (illumination integral to original architectural detail of a building is permitted)
- Any inflatable sign or sign affixed to a tethered balloon where such sign is visible from the property line
- Any sign with day-glow or highly reflecting coloring, paint, or lighting, or any sign that conflicts or may conflict with traffic flow or the visibility of vehicle drivers or pedestrians
- Any strobe light or very bright light, moveable or non-moveable, that is visible from any adjacent property or right-of-way for the purpose of attracting attention to a location
- Billboards
- Multi-faced signs
- Any sign within the public right-of-way, except as expressly allowed in the code
- Off-site signs
- No sign may be placed within the sight distance triangle required by Article 14
- Illuminated signs may not be oriented such that the direction and intensity of lighting creates glare or a hazardous condition for drivers or pedestrians
- Private signs are prohibited on public property and in public rights-of-way without an approved encroachment permit or express allowance in the code (signs in violation may be removed by the Director)

## Signs exempt from permit in North Augusta

- Construction signs are allowed without a permit (must meet size limits and restrictions in the code)
- Temporary signs are allowed without a permit (must meet size limits and restrictions in the code)
- Signs on vacant property are allowed without a permit (must meet size limits and restrictions in the code)
- Identification signs are allowed without a permit
- Accessory signs are allowed without a permit
- Window signs are allowed without a permit
- Flags and flagpoles are allowed without a permit subject to conditions: one flag/flagpole per parcel is not counted toward total signage; additional flags/flagpoles count toward total; flagpoles must meet freestanding sign setbacks; flags max 24 sq ft; flagpole height not greater than district maximum or 45 feet, whichever is less; flags must follow established U.S./State protocol
- Any public notice or warning sign issued by the city, county, state, or federal government is exempt from these regulations
- Signs not visible from a right-of-way or visible from the exterior of the building are exempt from these regulations (any sign inside a building that is visible from the exterior and is not a window sign is considered a wall sign)
- Permanent or temporary signs erected by or on behalf of the city, county, state or federal government identifying streets or public property, conveying public information, or directing or regulating pedestrian or vehicular traffic are exempt
- Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes are exempt
- Address signs meeting the specified minimum heights are exempt: three inches on the front door or front wall of a residential dwelling; eight inches on the front door or wall of a commercial structure; one and three-fourths inches on any mailbox adjacent to the sidewalk, curb, or edge of pavement
- Menu boards may be exempt if not visible from any public right-of-way, whether internal or external to the project

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan is required when specified by the code; when required, it must be approved prior to issuance of any sign permit. It must show suites/buildings with façade square footages and allowed square footages, total and placement for freestanding and wall signage for each suite/building, sign materials, illumination, and how signs meet ordinance requirements. It may be submitted with a site plan or plat or separately, and may be revised, but any revision must meet the code in force at the time of revision
- New shopping centers permitted after January 1, 2020 require a Master Signage Plan; a Master Signage Plan is recommended for existing shopping centers
- Additional construction signage beyond the one sign allowed by right requires a Master Signage Plan; each additional sign may not exceed the individual sign square footage and may be placed only at main entry points to the phase or sub-phase
- If a subdivision/project identification sign is preferred within an existing subdivision or as part of a phased development, a Master Signage Plan is required
- In Special Districts listed in Article 4 and not otherwise regulated under other sections of Article 9, total allowed square footage may be coordinated between uses with a Master Signage Plan (optional coordination)
- Private signs in the public right-of-way require an approved encroachment permit or express allowance in the code; projecting signs that encroach and freestanding signs located on sidewalks in the right-of-way require encroachment permits
- Iconic signs in Downtown Mixed-Use Districts may be installed only after review and approval by the North Augusta City Council (until a Design/Architectural Review Board is established) and must be properly permitted; they may encroach on right-of-way if an encroachment agreement is issued by the City Engineer
- Murals/Public Art in Downtown Mixed-Use Districts and the Public Use District require review and approval by the North Augusta Mural Design Review Board (or other board authorized by City Council) and subsequent permitting; may encroach on right-of-way with an encroachment agreement issued by the City Engineer
- Public District signage shall be determined by the City Council
- Banners advertising events of public interest sponsored by non-profit, non-commercial agencies at street locations specifically authorized for display by the City Council may be approved (limited review)

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

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