# Sign Regulations in Summerville, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Summerville, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/summerville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-04
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.summervillesc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5333/CURRENT-SUMMERVILLE-UDO-Amended-Sept-11-2025?bidId=#page=151)

## At a glance

Summerville, South Carolina regulates 30 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Freestanding)s in the G-B zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line setback (Sec. Section 10.4.2.A (H-I, L-I, G-B metrics) and Other Requirements (illumination exception for G-B)). Most commercial signs in Summerville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | On wall: 18 ft, with 7 ft clear headroom above sidewalk | Up to 50% of allocated sign area (educational, churches/spiritual institutions); Fuel sales: digital portion ≤40% of sign face | — |
| N-MX | 11 | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| D-MX, AC, PL | 11 | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| UC-MX | 11 | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| N-B | 11 | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| G-B | 12 | 15 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| H-I, L-I | 12 | 15 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |
| N-R, GR-2, GR-5, MF-R, MH-R | 4 | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| Historic Overlay District | 11 | 15 ft | ≤250 sq ft | — |

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

### G-B

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per parcel; +1 on another frontage for corner lots (Design Review required) | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted | — | Section 10.4.2.A (H-I, L-I, G-B metrics) and Other Requirements (illumination exception for G-B) |
| Multi-Tenant Sign (Center/Building > 40,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per multi-tenant building/center; +1 on another frontage (≥300 ft separation) on lots >3 acres | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted | — | Section 10.4.2.B |
| Crown Sign | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | ≤75% of building facade width | — | 1 per building | Buildings >55 ft or 4 stories (whichever is less) | — | Section 10.4.3.C |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | Canopy sign width ≤75% of canopy width | No portion of sign, awning, or canopy may be within 2 ft of a street or parking area | 1 per tenant | On awning/canopy above entrance doors or storefront windows | — | Section 10.4.3.F |
| Marquee Sign (In Lieu of Building Signs) | May not extend above parapet; bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 | Marquee projecting from building | — | Section 10.4.3.G |
| Shingle Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | ≤10 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 per tenant | Mounted to building façade | — | Section 10.4.3.H |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Directly in front of and on the premises of the associated establishment | — | Section 10.4.4.A |
| Temporary Yard Sign (District Standard) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per display surface | — | — | 1 per street frontage (number waived during election season) | On private property | — | Section 10.8.3.B–C |

### H-I, L-I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per parcel; +1 on another frontage for corner lots (Design Review required) | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted | — | Section 10.4.2.A (H-I, L-I, G-B metrics) |
| Multi-Tenant Sign (Center/Building > 40,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per multi-tenant building/center; +1 on another frontage (≥300 ft separation) on lots >3 acres | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted | — | Section 10.4.2.B |
| Crown Sign | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | ≤75% of building facade width | — | 1 per building | Buildings >55 ft or 4 stories (whichever is less) | — | Section 10.4.3.C |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | Canopy sign width ≤75% of canopy width | No portion of sign, awning, or canopy may be within 2 ft of a street or parking area | 1 per tenant | On awning/canopy above entrance doors or storefront windows | — | Section 10.4.3.F |
| Marquee Sign (In Lieu of Building Signs) | May not extend above parapet; bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 | Marquee projecting from building | — | Section 10.4.3.G |
| Shingle Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | ≤10 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 per tenant | Mounted to building façade | — | Section 10.4.3.H |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Directly in front of and on the premises of the associated establishment | — | Section 10.4.4.A |
| Temporary Yard Sign (District Standard) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per display surface | — | — | 1 per street frontage (number waived during election season) | On private property | — | Section 10.8.3.B–C |

### Historic Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | Varies by underlying district | Varies by underlying district (see applicable zone metrics) | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line (mixed-use/commercial/industrial standards) | 1 per parcel; +1 on another frontage for corner lots (Design Review required) | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted (underlying district standards apply) | — | Sections 10.4.2.A; 10.2.1.C |
| Multi-Tenant Sign (Center/Building > 40,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from public ROW; 5 ft from adjacent property line | 1 per multi-tenant building/center; +1 on another frontage (≥300 ft separation) on lots >3 acres | Anywhere within front or side yard setback unless otherwise noted (per underlying district allowance in H-I, L-I, G-B only) | — | Sections 10.4.2.B; 10.2.1.C |
| Wall Sign | — | — | ≤50% of building facade width | — | Subject to building sign aggregate limits | On building façades facing ROW, pedestrian passageways and/or parking areas associated with the establishment | — | Sections 10.4.3.B; 10.2.1.C |
| Crown Sign | Copy area ≤8 ft; max projection 3 ft | ≤250 sq ft | ≤75% of building facade width | — | 1 per building | Buildings >55 ft or 4 stories (whichever is less) | — | Sections 10.4.3.C; 10.2.1.C |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | Canopy sign width ≤75% of canopy width | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 per tenant | On awning/canopy above entrance doors or storefront windows | — | Sections 10.4.3.F; 10.2.1.C |
| Marquee Sign (In Lieu of Building Signs) | May not extend above parapet; bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | — | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 | Marquee projecting from building | — | Sections 10.4.3.G; 10.2.1.C |
| Shingle Sign | Bottom clearance to sidewalk: ≥8 ft | ≤10 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from street or parking area | 1 per tenant | Mounted to building façade | — | Sections 10.4.3.H; 10.2.1.C |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Directly in front of and on the premises of the associated establishment | — | Sections 10.4.4.A; 10.2.1.C |

## Prohibited signs in Summerville

- No sign may be located within any public right-of-way except government signs or signs otherwise permitted by the Town (including limited sandwich board allowances where expressly provided).
- No sign may be located within any designated sight distance triangle or placed so as to obstruct the vision of pedestrians or motorists (particularly signs occupying space between 3 and 10 feet in height).
- Signs violating any provision of state or federal law are prohibited.
- Illumination: blinking, flashing, chasing or scrolling light sources are prohibited.
- Illumination: bare bulb illumination is prohibited unless approved by the DRB/BAR.
- Illumination: colored lights used in a manner that could be confused with traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Illumination: direct reflected light that creates a hazard to motorists is prohibited.
- Illumination brightness must not exceed Town maximum footcandle standards or cause discomfort or nuisance to adjacent properties.
- Visible transformers on signs are not permitted.
- No non-governmental sign may be attached to or painted on utility poles, traffic signs, or other objects not intended to support a sign; such signs may be removed and costs recovered.
- Signs displaying intermittent lights resembling emergency/traffic signals or using words like “stop” or “danger” in a manner that could mislead or confuse drivers are prohibited.
- Signs in street or highway rights-of-way are prohibited except as expressly allowed for public agency signs or specific exemptions in this chapter.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, other natural features, or painted on building roofs are prohibited.
- Moving, flashing, or audible signs are prohibited, including: signs with intermittent/flashing lights or moving parts (except barber poles, time/temperature, and temporary public agency signs); portable/mobile illuminated signs (except temporary public agency signs); banners, streamers, pennants, feather/flutter flags, wind-propelled devices, balloons, inflatable devices, strings of light bulbs, and similar installations unless approved by Town Staff for temporary events only; and permanent moving signs or devices moved by atmospheric, mechanical, electrical, or other means.
- Flashing signs or devices displaying lights of changing intensity are prohibited, except time/temperature displays and temporary public agency signs.
- Signs emitting audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers parked primarily to display the sign are prohibited (excludes normal business vehicle lettering).
- Portable or towed signs used as conveyances on public streets or parked for public display are prohibited; vehicles with commercial messages that are inoperable or lack current registration may not be parked in public view.
- Off-premise advertising signs are prohibited.
- Signs that create a safety hazard by obstructing clear views of traffic or blocking required exits are prohibited.
- Content/copy limitations: obscene or pornographic content (not protected speech) is prohibited; signs copying/imitating official government signs or purporting to be official are prohibited; any sign that may be confused with governmental or traffic safety signs is prohibited; use of words like “stop” or “danger” in a misleading way is prohibited.
- Abandoned or deteriorated signs are prohibited, including sign structures without signs, signs braced unsightly, abandoned/dilapidated signs, and signs referencing businesses closed more than 60 days.
- Searchlights and beacons are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Advertising on street furniture (benches, trash cans, etc.) is prohibited except for one incidental sign under 64 square inches.
- Banners and pennants are prohibited except as expressly permitted in Sections 10.7 and 10.8.
- Signs in marshes, wetlands, and required environmental buffers are prohibited except public signs.
- Human billboards (signs held by or attached to a person to advertise) are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited (roof surfaces angled 75 degrees or more from horizontal are treated as wall space, not roof).

## Signs exempt from permit in Summerville

- Incidental signs: building addressing and other signs required for emergency services and mail/package delivery do not require a sign permit.
- Incidental sign for multi-tenant buildings: one additional sign up to 4 square feet does not require a sign permit.
- Small wall/directional/informational signs: on residential structures, all signs under 1 square foot; on all other structures, all signs under 4 square feet do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary holiday decorations do not require a sign permit.
- Official signs: government signs required by law or regulation do not require a sign permit.
- Warning signs such as “No trespassing,” “High voltage,” “Beware of dog”: up to 2 per 100 feet of street frontage, maximum 4 square feet each (unless otherwise required by regulation) do not require a sign permit.
- Utility location markers (signs denoting underground utilities) do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary yard signs (e.g., garage sale, political, real estate) without permanent foundation or electricity and not advertising off-premises goods/services are permitted without a sign permit subject to district-based size/height/number limits and election season allowances.
- Wall murals: in the Historic Overlay require a BAR Certificate of Appropriateness; in other districts require DRB design review; murals on front facades allowed only by unanimous DRB/BAR vote. These are treated in the ordinance under signs not requiring a sign permit (note: murals on public infrastructure require a Town Staff permit).
- Other informational/directional signs on public property may be authorized by Town Staff outside the sign permitting process if they meet conditions (serve public/nonprofit facilities or similar, erected by the Town, requester pays costs, and no traffic hazard; business/donor recognition may be allowed as deemed appropriate).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Plan is required for any development with 3 or more principal uses, establishments, or tenants; the plan must depict all proposed/located signs and serves as the regulating document for sign allocations to individual applicants.
- Per Section 10.4.5.C, Master Sign Plan requirement does not apply to industrial signage.
- Per Section 10.4.5.C, Master Sign Plans are approved by Town Staff; developments exceeding 40,000 square feet of total leasable space require review and approval by the DRB or BAR, as appropriate.
- Per Section 10.2.1.D, Master Sign Plans are reviewed and decided upon by the DRB in accordance with Section 13.8.4 (note: this provision coexists with the more specific review thresholds in Section 10.4.5.C).
- Only one application and permit is required for multiple signs associated with the same development project (bundled application).
- Historic Overlay District: all applications for signs requiring a permit (except sandwich boards, informational, and temporary event signs) require additional approval by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).
- Changeable copy/digital signs are not allowed by-right; for educational establishments, churches/spiritual institutions, and fuel price displays they require Town Staff approval (subject to standards); for all other uses they require DRB or BAR approval (and must meet applicable standards).
- Building sign packages that exceed 5% of total aggregate wall area are subject to Design Review by the DRB or BAR, as appropriate.
- Projecting signs may use external illumination only, except where DRB or BAR approval is granted.
- Marquee signs are subject to approval by the DRB or BAR.
- Illuminated window signs in the Historic District Overlay are only permitted with BAR approval and count toward window sign area limits.
- A sign may project above a parapet up to 5 feet only with DRB design review or a BAR Certificate of Appropriateness.
- For corner lots, an additional monument sign on another street frontage is permitted only subject to Design Review.
- Bare bulb illumination may be allowed only if approved by the DRB/BAR.
- Administrative adjustments: Town Staff may grant adjustments to number, height, setback, square footage, or placement of signs in cases of unusual circumstances or hardship consistent with intent.
- Exceptions/waivers: for relief not covered by administrative adjustments, applicants may petition the DRB or BAR for waivers/exceptions to standards of Sections 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5 (total area/height may not be increased and window opacity limits still apply).
- Wall murals: Historic Overlay requires BAR Certificate of Appropriateness; other districts require DRB design review; murals on front facades require a unanimous vote of the DRB or BAR; public infrastructure murals require a Town Staff permit.
- All exceptions noted for additional review in this chapter are reviewed by the DRB in accordance with Section 13.8.3.

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

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