# Sign Regulations in Port Royal, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Port Royal, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/port-royal
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/sc/port_royal/codes/development_code?nodeId=ART5SUZO_DIV5.9SI)

## At a glance

Port Royal, South Carolina regulates 26 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Awning/Canopy Signs in the T3 Edge (T3E) zoning district are capped at Valance 16 in max (8 in min); clear height 8 ft min tall, Projecting: 1 sq ft per linear foot of shopfront; Sloping plane: 25% of awning sloping plane; Valance: 75% of valance area, and Valance up to storefront width wide (Sec. 5.9.60(B); 5.9.40(D)). Most commercial signs in Port Royal require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| T1 | 23 | 50 ft max; bottom at least 3 ft above ground; projection 8 in max | 1,000 sq ft max | — |
| T3 Edge (T3E) | 24 | 50 ft max; bottom ≥3 ft above ground; projection 8 in max | 1,000 sq ft max | — |
| T3SN | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft above grade; projection 8 in max | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| T3N | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft; projection 8 in | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| T4NC | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft; projection 8 in | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| T4NCO | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft; projection 8 in | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| T4UC | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft; projection 8 in | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| T5MS | 24 | 50 ft; bottom ≥3 ft; projection 8 in | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| MO | 24 | 50 ft max; bottom of sign at least 3 ft above ground; projection 8 in max | 1,000 sq ft max | — |
| MCAS Airport Overlay (MCAS-AO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Manufactured Homes on Individual Lots Overlay (MHO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | 50 ft max; bottom of sign at least 3 ft above ground; projection 8 in max | 1,000 sq ft max | — |

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

### T3 Edge (T3E)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Valance 16 in max (8 in min); clear height 8 ft min | Projecting: 1 sq ft per linear foot of shopfront; Sloping plane: 25% of awning sloping plane; Valance: 75% of valance area | Valance up to storefront width | — | — | On awning/canopy; no second-story window awning sign copy | — | 5.9.60(B); 5.9.40(D) |
| Marquee Sign (Horizontal Marquee) | Sign height 5 ft max; clear height 10 ft min | 250 sq ft max | Up to shopfront width | — | — | Canopy-like projection over sidewalk | — | 5.9.80(B); 5.9.40(D) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant) | 7 ft max | 25 sq ft max | 6 ft max | — | — | On eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Tenant) | 8 ft max | 30 sq ft max | 6 ft max | — | — | On eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential/Mixed-use Community) | 7 ft max | 25 sq ft max per frontage | 6 ft max | — | — | Community entrances | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Projecting Sign (Blade Sign) | 36 in max; clear height 8 ft min | 6 sq ft max | 48 in max; thickness 4 in max (exceptions for approved 3D signs) | — | — | Perpendicular to facade | — | 5.9.100(B) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board/Easel) | 42 in max | 6 sq ft max (8 sq ft for new business) | 30 in max | — | — | On/adjacent to sidewalk | — | 5.9.110(B); 5.9.170(A)(3) |
| Suspended Sign | 36 in max; clear height 8 ft min | 6 sq ft max | 36 in max | — | — | Under porch/gallery/arcade/breezeway ceiling | — | 5.9.120(B) |

### T3SN

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Valance 16 in max (8 in min); clear height 8 ft min | Projecting: 1 sq ft per linear foot of shopfront; Sloping plane: 25% of awning sloping plane; Valance: 75% of valance | Valance up to storefront width | — | — | On awning/canopy; no second-story window awning sign copy | — | 5.9.60(B); 5.9.40(D) |
| Marquee Sign (Horizontal Marquee) | 5 ft; clear 10 ft | 250 sq ft | Up to shopfront width | — | — | Canopy-like projection | — | 5.9.80(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant) | 7 ft | 25 sq ft | 6 ft | — | — | Eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Tenant) | 8 ft | 30 sq ft | 6 ft | — | — | Eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential/Mixed-use Community) | 7 ft | 25 sq ft per frontage | 6 ft | — | — | Community entrances | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Projecting Sign (Blade Sign) | 36 in; clear 8 ft | 6 sq ft | 48 in; thickness 4 in (exceptions possible) | — | — | Perpendicular to facade | — | 5.9.100(B) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board/Easel) | 42 in | 6 sq ft (8 sq ft for new business) | 30 in | — | — | On/adjacent sidewalk; keep accessible path clear | — | 5.9.110(B); 5.9.170(A)(3) |
| Suspended Sign | 36 in; clear 8 ft | 6 sq ft | 36 in | — | — | Under porch/gallery/arcade/breezeway ceiling | — | 5.9.120(B) |

### T3N

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Valance 16 in max (8 in min); clear height 8 ft min | Projecting: 1 sq ft per linear foot of shopfront; Sloping plane: 25% of awning sloping plane; Valance: 75% of valance | Valance up to storefront width | — | — | On awning/canopy; no second-story window awning sign copy | — | 5.9.60(B); 5.9.40(D) |
| Marquee Sign (Horizontal Marquee) | 5 ft; clear 10 ft | 250 sq ft | Up to shopfront width | — | — | Canopy-like projection | — | 5.9.80(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant) | 7 ft | 25 sq ft | 6 ft | — | — | Eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Tenant) | 8 ft | 30 sq ft | 6 ft | — | — | Eligible frontage | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential/Mixed-use Community) | 7 ft | 25 sq ft per frontage | 6 ft | — | — | Community entrances | — | 5.9.90(B) |
| Projecting Sign (Blade Sign) | 36 in; clear 8 ft | 6 sq ft | 48 in; thickness 4 in (exceptions possible) | — | — | Perpendicular to facade | — | 5.9.100(B) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board/Easel) | 42 in | 6 sq ft (8 sq ft for new business) | 30 in | — | — | On/adjacent sidewalk | — | 5.9.110(B); 5.9.170(A)(3) |
| Suspended Sign | 36 in; clear 8 ft | 6 sq ft | 36 in | — | — | Under porch/gallery/arcade/breezeway | — | 5.9.120(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Port Royal

- Signs that violate any state law relative to outdoor advertising
- Off‑premises signs, except signs, flags, and banners erected by the Town, County, or State government
- Signs placed in the public right‑of‑way, except those posted by a public agency
- Signs installed so as to create a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
- Signs that obstruct free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exitway
- Signs located in salt marsh areas or on land subject to periodic tidal saltwater inundation
- Signs affixed to or painted on trees, rocks, or other natural features; on fenceposts, telephone, or utility poles; or on roofs visible from any public thoroughfare
- Signs on private residences except one personal identification sign up to 2 sq ft and/or one non‑illuminated for‑sale/for‑rent sign up to 6 sq ft
- New billboards
- Permanent moving signs or devices, including elements set in motion by wind or mechanical/electrical means (e.g., non‑government/commercial flags, pennants, propellers, discs, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, feather flags)
- Flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing intensity, except signs displaying time and/or temperature
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter
- Portable or towed signs used as conveyances or parked primarily for display (except permitted temporary signs), signs on or towed behind boats/rafts/aircraft/helicopters, and vehicles bearing commercial messages that are inoperable or lack current registration parked in public view
- Signs that copy or imitate official government signs; that may be confused with governmental or traffic/safety signs; or that use words like “stop” or “danger” in a misleading manner
- Signs containing obscene, pornographic, or immoral content
- Roof signs and any sign that extends above the parapet, roofline, or canopy against which it is located, except freestanding and marquee signs
- Inflatable signs
- Snipe signs (temporary advertisement signs typically in the ground or attached to utility poles)
- Abandoned or deteriorated signs, including empty sign structures, signs braced by unsightly supports, dilapidated signs, and signs referencing businesses closed for more than 30 days
- Use of bright, primary, or neon colors (including corporate logos using these colors) on signs
- Illuminated signs with light‑reflecting backgrounds
- Backgrounds of internally‑illuminated cabinet signs that are not completely opaque
- Neon outlining of buildings, canopies, windows, or doors
- Signs with more than four polyhedron faces (for free‑form/sculptural signs)
- Outcrops on signs

## Signs exempt from permit in Port Royal

- Government signs required by any law, order, or governmental regulation (no sign permit required)
- Address signs or plates on structures or premises (no sign permit required); minimum numeral heights: 4 inches for single‑family, two‑family, and multifamily dwellings; 6 inches for nonresidential structures
- Historical markers, monuments, or signs recognized by local, state, or federal authorities (no sign permit required)
- Signs denoting the location of underground utilities (no sign permit required)
- Holiday decorations (no sign permit required)
- Window signs that meet Section 5.9.150 standards (no sign permit required)
- Temporary Schedule of Events signs meeting Table 5.9.170.A (no sign permit required)
- Temporary For Sale or For Lease signs meeting Table 5.9.170.B (no sign permit required)
- Non‑residential flags (official government/educational/church/fraternal or ornamental/decorative) meeting Table 5.9.170.C (no sign permit required)

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

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