# Sign Regulations in South Congaree, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Congaree, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/south-congaree
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

South Congaree, South Carolina regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Signs - Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft (weekend directional), 4 ft (information sign), others not specified tall and 16 sq ft (contractor, residential), 50 sq ft (contractor, Intense), 32 sq ft (special event portable/banner), 6 sq ft (real estate, residential lot; garage/yard sale), 32 sq ft (real estate, commercial/large residential), 32 sq ft (temporary subdivision sign), with a at least 1 ft from right-of-way; must be placed where direction changes setback (Sec. § 158.168). Most commercial signs in South Congaree require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Up to 50 ft height (flagpole) | 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| Restricted Development district, Intense Development district, Commercial Development district, C-1 district | 13 | Cannot project over roofline/parapet; not lower than 12 ft above ground | 150 sq ft | — |
| Protected Residential district, Residential districts | 7 | 4 ft if located in required setback; 6 ft otherwise; no height limit for gateway structures, developments >10 acres | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | 3 ft (weekend directional signs) | 1 sq ft (identification property numbers), 6 sq ft (hiring, civic/club/religious, contractor), 4 sq ft (directional, wall plaque, traffic), other as listed in § 158.166 | — | Weekend directional signs must be at least 1 ft from right-of-way; temporary subdivision signs must be set back at least 20 ft from subdivision property lines | — | As described in § 158.166; generally on private property | — | § 158.166 |
| Temporary Signs - General | 3 ft (weekend directional), 4 ft (information sign), others not specified | 16 sq ft (contractor, residential), 50 sq ft (contractor, Intense), 32 sq ft (special event portable/banner), 6 sq ft (real estate, residential lot; garage/yard sale), 32 sq ft (real estate, commercial/large residential), 32 sq ft (temporary subdivision sign) | — | Temporary subdivision sign: 20 ft; Weekend directional sign: at least 1 ft from right-of-way; must be placed where direction changes | 1 contractor per premises; 1 real estate per lot/road frontage; 1 yard sale per lot (event); 1 subdivision per 500 ft | On-premises (contractor/yard sale); private property (special event); subdivision land (subdivision sign) | — | § 158.168 |
| Residential Subdivision/Group Development Signs | 4 ft if located within required setback; 6 ft otherwise; no height limit for gateway structures to residential developments >10 acres | 50 sq ft per sign | — | If within required setback, height limits apply | One per street frontage | At the entrance/property of the subdivision/apartment/complex | — | § 158.169(B) |
| Flag | Up to 50 ft height (flagpole) | 6x10 ft (on 35 ft flagpole); 8x12 ft (on 50 ft flagpole) | — | — | Up to 3 per property | On private property, flagpole | — | § 158.168(F) |

### Restricted Development district, Intense Development district, Commercial Development district, C-1 district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Individual Business) | Cannot project above roofline or parapet | 10% of area of first story wall | — | — | Up to 2 per street frontage per lot (exceptions: each 500 feet of frontage is a separate frontage; identification letters as noted) | On exterior wall of business building | — | § 158.170(B)(1), § 158.170(B)(3), § 158.164 (Wall Sign) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business, with changeable copy) | 10 ft (may increase by 20% for copy extension) | 84 sq ft (with changeable copy) | — | Five (5) feet from all property lines in the C-1 district; ten (10) feet from all property lines in the same district (potential text error; use 5 ft for standard) | Up to 2 per street frontage per lot (see exceptions in wall sign regs) | Permitted on business property (not specified building attachment) | — | § 158.170(B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b), (G), (L) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business, without changeable copy) | 10 ft (may increase by 20% for copy extension) | 64 sq ft (without changeable copy) | — | Five (5) feet from all property lines in the C-1 district; ten (10) feet from all property lines in district (potential text error; use 5 ft for standard) | Up to 2 per street frontage per lot | Permitted on business property (not specified building attachment) | — | § 158.170(B)(2)(a), (B)(2)(b) |
| Directory Sign (within Commercial Centers; Freestanding) | — | 150 sq ft | 20 ft maximum length | See general business sign setbacks | One per road frontage | One per road frontage in commercial center | — | § 158.170(C)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Center, Business Tenant) | Cannot project over roofline or parapet | 15% of area of first story wall | — | — | 1 per tenant; End cap: 2 per face facing street | On exterior wall of unit within center/business | — | § 158.170(C)(2),(C)(3) |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial Center, Business Tenant) | Cannot project over roofline/parapet; not lower than 12 ft above ground | 15% of area of first story wall | — | If narrow front yard, can project into right-of-way (see code) | 1 per tenant; see additional for combinations | Attached to wall; may extend beyond wall up to 12 inches | — | § 158.170(E)(1)-(3), § 158.164 (Projecting Sign) |
| Marquee Sign (Commercial Center, Business Tenant) | Cannot project over roofline/parapet; not lower than 12 ft above ground | 15% of area of first story wall | — | — | 1 per tenant | Attached to wall, projected awning/marquee | — | § 158.170(E), § 158.164 (Marquee Sign) |
| Awning Sign | — | 10% of awning area | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning attached to building wall | — | § 158.170(H) |

### Protected Residential district, Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Contractor's Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On premises of site under construction/repair | — | § 158.168(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Lot) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale/lease/rent | — | § 158.168(B) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Property >10 acres) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On property for sale/lease/rent | — | § 158.168(B) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Per event | On-site, on lot holding sale | — | § 158.168(C) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property line | Spacing 500 ft apart | On subdivision premises | — | § 158.168(D) |
| Residential Subdivision/Group Development Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft if located in required setback; 6 ft otherwise; no height limit for gateway structures, developments >10 acres | 50 sq ft | — | If within required setback, 4 ft max height | One per street frontage | Entrance/property of subdivision, apartment, or group housing | — | § 158.169(B) |
| Flag | — | No specific maximum (noncommercial flag); for war memorials: no specific maximum. | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 158.168(F)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in South Congaree

- No sign shall be permitted which imitates an official traffic sign or signal; or contains words or symbols displayed in a manner which might mislead or confuse drivers of vehicles; or displays intermittent lights resembling the color, size, shape, or order of lights customarily used in traffic signals, on emergency vehicles or on law enforcement vehicles, except as part of a permitted private or public traffic control sign.
- No sign shall be permitted which emits or utilizes in any manner any sound capable of being detected on a public road or adjoining property by a person of normal hearing.
- No sign shall be permitted which utilizes flashing, blinking, or strobetype lights, or any type of pulsating or moving lights.
- No sign shall be permitted which moves or presents the illusion of movement in any manner, except windblown signs in accordance with the provisions of § 158.168 and mechanical signs in accordance with the provisions of § 158.170(K).
- No sign shall be permitted which is attached to a utility pole or street sign; or is attached to or painted on tree trunks, rocks, or other natural objects.
- No portable sign shall be permitted, except in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
- Signs which advertise a discontinued product, place, activity, person, institution or business shall be removed by the owner within 30 days from the date of termination.
- No sign shall be permitted which in any manner may unduly confuse, distract or divert the attention of drivers of vehicles.
- No sign shall be permitted which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder, or opening providing light or air or intended as a means of ingress or egress. No sign shall obstruct the view of roads from a pedestrian walkway.
- Home occupations are not permitted to display any sign pertaining to the commercial activity in the dwelling.
- Exposed neon filled tubes or other tubes having the appearance of exposed neon tubes are prohibited on signs or trim or the exterior of a business.
- Roof signs and signs that project above the rooflines are prohibited.
- Signs on vehicles either attached to or painted on vehicles or any type which are conspicuously parked in close proximity to the right-of-way and are obviously parked in a way to advertise any business to the passing motorist or pedestrian are prohibited.
- Signs containing fluorescent colored letters and/or background are prohibited.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Signs which contain a high intensity illuminating device causing it to blink, flash, pulsate, fluctuate or animate are prohibited.
- Signs that require air or other compressed gas, whether contained or blown, to keep and maintain its shape or which cause it to inflate or move are prohibited.
- Any sign placed on or in the public right-of-way is prohibited.
- All windblown signs are prohibited with the exception of banners permitted and exempted in § 158.166(H).
- Balloons and gas-filled figures used to draw attention to a business or event are prohibited, with limited exceptions (see code for exceptions).
- Animated signs, including moving message boards, are prohibited.
- All abandoned and dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or allowed to remain erected that is structurally unsafe; hazardous; or, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, constitutes a danger to the public safety.
- No sign shall be allowed to have more than 20% of its display area covered with disfigured, chipped, ripped or peeling paint or poster paper for a period of more than 30 successive days.
- No sign shall be allowed to remain with a bent or broken display area, broken supports, or loose appendages or struts; or stand more than 15 degrees away from the perpendicular for a period of more than 30 successive days.
- No sign shall be allowed to have weeds, trees, vines or other wild vegetation growing upon it for a period of more than 30 successive days.
- No indirect or internally illuminated sign shall be allowed to have only partial illumination for a period of more than 30 successive days.
- Illuminated signs shall not cast rays of light directly into nearby residences, sleeping accommodations, or the eyes of vehicle drivers.
- Floodlights, gooseneck reflectors or other external sources of illumination shall not be unshielded; they must be protected by casing or landscaping.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- All building, structure, fence, wall canopy, and sign construction shall use earth tone colors; bright, neon, and/or fluorescent colors are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Congaree

- Signs not exceeding one (1) square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.
- Hiring signs, provided the total area does not exceed six (6) square feet and the sign is posted for no more than 30 days.
- Legal notices, identification, and informational or directional signs erected as required by governmental bodies.
- Integral decorations or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, moving lights, or any prohibited signs under § 158.167.
- Signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area directing and guiding traffic on private property but bearing no commercial matter.
- Wall identification signs and commemorative plaques not more than four (4) square feet in area, memorial cornerstones, or tablets providing information on building erection or commemorating a person or event.
- Flags in compliance with § 158.168(F).
- Banners erected or authorized by the town.
- Temporary governmental signs, such as zoning, traffic, and the like.
- Civic club, religious, public and eleemosynary signs not exceeding six (6) square feet whether on or off the premises, provided these signs are not located in the public right-of-way.
- One (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet each of craftsmans, artisans, house painters, contractors or subcontractors during the period that such persons are performing repair, remodeling, repainting or improvement work on the premises on which such signs are erected.
- Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public office or relating to any election or public referendum; signs must be placed on private property and removed within seven days after the election or referendum has been decided.
- Weekend directional signs (WEDS) that convey directions to a specific in-town place or event, provided they meet conditions including being posted only from Friday 6 pm to Sunday 11:59 pm, size, marking, location, and content restrictions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for sign permits must be submitted to the Zoning Official or representative, including a site plan showing the precise location of the sign in respect to property and right-of-way lines and any buildings or improvements on the property.
- A sign permit is required prior to erection, placement, replacement, or alteration of any sign unless otherwise specifically exempted.
- If a sign is erected without a permit and a permit is subsequently obtained, the fee for the permit and business license shall be doubled.
- A variance may be requested at no cost to the property owner/applicant if required visibility for signage cannot be achieved.
- If a building permit is not obtained within one year of the sign plans being approved, the approval will expire.
- Changing the copy (face of the sign) on a nonconforming sign requires a sign permit.
- A variance from sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided in the ordinance.
- Permits from the State of South Carolina are required for businesses and advertising signs on federal highways, with a copy to be furnished to the town before the sign is erected.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for South Congaree, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=South+Congaree+SC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-south-congaree

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