# Sign Regulations in Walhalla, South Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Walhalla, South Carolina (SC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-carolina/walhalla
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37534952#37534952)

## At a glance

Walhalla, South Carolina regulates 13 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Downtown Development Overlay District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 36 sq ft (single business); 120 sq ft (multiple businesses on the same panel), with a Minimum 5 ft from property lines; minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way setback (Sec. §330-1.25D(1)(c)[3], §330-1.25D(1)). Most commercial signs in Walhalla require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Development Overlay District | 7 | 42 inches | 36 sq ft (single business); 120 sq ft (multiple businesses on the same panel) | — |
| Highway Commercial District, Light Industrial District | 7 | 42 inches | 50% of any front-facing window | — |
| Office Commercial District | 7 | 42 inches | 50% of front-facing window | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Downtown Development Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft (single business); 120 sq ft (multiple businesses on the same panel) | — | Minimum 5 ft from property lines; minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | One per site/lot/parcel per street frontage. Only one per aggregate businesses (shopping center/industrial park) per street frontage | Not permitted in this district unless it meets all Downtown Design Guidelines, is aesthetically appropriate, and is approved by the Zoning Administrator | — | §330-1.25D(1)(c)[3], §330-1.25D(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of building face (front, sides, rear) | — | — | — | Exterior front, side, or rear of building | — | §330-1.25D(2), §330-1.25D(2)(a),(c),(d),(e) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of storefront glass (first floor only) | — | — | — | Storefront windows or doors (first floor) | — | §330-1.25D(2)(b)[1] |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25% of awning/canopy background area | — | No closer than 18 inches to a vertical plane at street curbline, 8.5 ft above sidewalk | — | On surface of awning or canopy. Awnings/canopies must be at least 18 inches from curbline and 8.5 ft above sidewalk. | — | §330-1.25D(3) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 18 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per property | — | — | §330-1.25D(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Within 5 ft of the primary entrance of the business, not within a roadway or right-of-way except by permit for public sidewalk (must not reduce sidewalk width below 4 ft, nor block ingress/egress). | — | §330-1.25D(5) |
| Menu Board (Restaurant) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant | Attached to building exterior | — | §330-1.25D(2)(f) |

### Highway Commercial District, Light Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft from ground (pavement) | 36 sq ft (single business); 120 sq ft (multiple businesses on same panel) | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line, minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | One per developed site/lot/parcel per street frontage; for multiple businesses, only one aggregate sign per street frontage | On developed site, lot, or parcel, one per street frontage, must be permanently affixed. | — | §330-1.25D(1)(a)-(d), §330-1.25D(1)(g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of building face (front, sides, rear) | — | — | — | Exterior wall of building | — | §330-1.25D(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of any front-facing window | — | — | — | In/on windows, inside or outside, front-facing only | — | §330-1.25D(2)(b)[2] |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25% of awning/canopy background area | — | No closer than 18 inches to curbline; 8.5 ft minimum above sidewalk | — | On surface of awning or canopy. Awnings/canopies must be at least 18 inches from curbline and 8.5 ft above sidewalk. | — | §330-1.25D(3) |
| Temporary Sign | — | Not specified for these districts | — | — | — | — | — | §330-1.25D(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Within 5 ft of main entrance; not allowed in roadways or public R-O-W except by Zoning Administrator approval for public sidewalk | — | §330-1.25D(5) |
| Menu Board (Restaurant) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant | Attached to exterior | — | §330-1.25D(2)(f) |

### Office Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft (single business); 120 sq ft (multiple businesses on same panel) | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line, minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | One per developed site/lot/parcel per street frontage | On developed site, lot, or parcel; berm or solid base design permitted. Landscape maintenance plan required for berm design. | — | §330-1.25D(1)(a)-(e), (g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of building face (front, sides, rear) | — | — | — | Exterior wall of building | — | §330-1.25D(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of front-facing window | — | — | — | On or inside of windows, front-facing | — | §330-1.25D(2)(b)[2] |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25% of awning/canopy background area | — | No closer than 18 inches to curbline; at least 8.5 ft above sidewalk | — | On surface of awning or canopy. Minimum 18 inches from curbline; minimum 8.5 ft above sidewalk. | — | §330-1.25D(3) |
| Temporary Sign | — | Not specified for this district | — | — | — | — | — | §330-1.25D(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Within 5 ft of main entrance; not allowed in roads/right-of-way except permit for public sidewalk | — | §330-1.25D(5) |
| Menu Board (Restaurant) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant | Attached to exterior | — | §330-1.25D(2)(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Walhalla

- Strobe or neon lights, and signs containing strobe, LED or flashing lights which are visible beyond the property line (except a storefront stationary lit, open/closed sign).
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs whose primary purpose is not display, are magnetic/decals/painted as part of the manufacturer design, and the vehicle/trailer is in operating condition and used in business.
- Abandoned signs.
- Rooftop signs.
- Off-premises signs.
- Contractor's signs.
- A sign or sign structure which obstructs free and clear vision at intersections, or by its position, shape or color may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Signs posted on trees or public utility poles (including light poles, telephone poles, SCDOT signs, etc).
- Signs placed within any street or highway right-of-way, attached to trees, telephone and utility poles, or other natural features, or otherwise prohibited by the ordinance.
- Signs that impede the free and open passage of pedestrians in their lane of travel when suspended above any central business district street.
- Yard sale signs are prohibited in the median on Main Street.
- Political signs may not be displayed in the medians or rights-of-way on Main Street from Ann Street to Tugaloo Street.

## Signs exempt from permit in Walhalla

- Traffic, directional, warning or information signs authorized by any public agency.
- Official notices authorized by any court, public agency or official.
- Institutional signs, not to exceed 20 square feet, for any public, charitable, educational, medical or religious institution.
- Building nameplates with related inscription, memorial plaques and cornerstones, when made an integral part of a building or structure.
- Flags and flagpoles.
- On-site directional signs, not to exceed six square feet in area.
- One-time auction signs, not to exceed six square feet in area.
- Private property postings related to trespassing or public safety.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- "Open house" signs, not to exceed four square feet in area.
- Temporary unlighted real estate (for sale, rent, lease) signs for residential, not to exceed four square feet in area, or for commercial, not to exceed 32 square feet in area, per property, and not to exceed eight feet in height, allowed with proper permit or business license, removed within five days after sale/lease; banner-type signs are not permitted.
- Political signs subject to limitations: not over eight feet in height or 32 square feet area, display time and number limitations as specified.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless specifically exempted, a permit must be obtained from, and approved by, the Zoning Administrator for the erection, alteration, construction, reconstruction, attachment to exterior of any building, temporary and maintenance of all signs erected or maintained within the City.
- Permit applications must include construction documents showing dimensions, materials, details of construction, and may require engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered design professional where required by the International Building Code.
- No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged, or relocated, except in conformity to the ordinance and until a proper permit (if required) has been secured.
- Any improvement or change to signage must meet Downtown Design Guidelines within the Downtown Development Overlay District.
- If a sign owner or property owner believes removal of a nonconforming sign does not minimize loss or is unreasonable, they may petition for relief with supporting documentation.
- Application for berm design for signs in the Office Commercial District must be accompanied by a landscape maintenance plan.

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

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