Sign Regulations in York, South Carolina
York, South Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Building Marker, Identification Sign, Temporary Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 4, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for York, South Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in York
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign - Residential | 3 feet | 2 square feet | Minimum setback of 2 feet |
| Freestanding Sign | Special exception | Special exception | 1 per 400 feet of street frontage |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
15
- Building Marker
- Identification Sign
- Temporary Sign
- Flag
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
11
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for York
Other Cities in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
In York, monument signs are limited to 3 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in York, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In York, regulated sign types include Building Marker, Identification Sign, Temporary Sign, Flag, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In York, monument signs typically require a Minimum setback of 2 feet setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in York are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. York has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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York, South Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
York, South Carolina regulates 15 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1 zoning district are capped at Special exception tall and Special exception, with a 1 per 400 feet of street frontage setback (Sec. Table XII-2, Table XII-4).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for York, South Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in York (11 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-15, R-12 | 6 | 3 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| R-7 | 6 | 3 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| R-5 | 6 | 3 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| R7MH | 6 | 3 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| MH | 6 | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — |
| TU | 6 | 3 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| IU | 6 | Special exception | Special exception | — |
| B-1 | 8 | Special exception | 200 square feet | — |
| HC | 8 | 6 feet | 500 square feet | — |
| GI | 8 | 6 feet | 500 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 2 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in York(sample of 3 of 11 zones)
B-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | Special exception | Special exception | — | 1 per 400 feet of street frontage | 1 per 400 feet of street frontage | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-2, Table XII-4 |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-3, Table XII-4 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
HC
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | 1 per 400 feet of street frontage | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-2, Table XII-4 |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 500 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-3, Table XII-4 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
GI
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 35 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 11 feet | 1 per 1000 feet of street frontage | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-2, Table XII-4 |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 500 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-3, Table XII-4 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Table XII-1 |
PermitPal covers all 11 zoning districts in York — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 11 zones for York — start freeProhibited Signs in York
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device.
- No person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit upon any street, any traffic sign or signal bearing any commercial advertising.
- All signs not expressly permitted under this ordinance or exempt from regulation are prohibited within the city.
- Signs located in public rights-of-way, except as described in subsection 1.8.
- Signs located in any manner or place so as to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Signs, flags, streamers, banners, or balloons which use wind pressure or motors or mechanical devices for moving or swirling.
- Flashing signs or devices displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except for time and temperature signs.
- Any illuminated tubing or string of lights except during the Christmas season.
- Portable signs, including any signs painted on or displayed on vehicles or trailers and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign not otherwise allowed.
- Signs copying or imitating official government signs or which purport to have official government status.
- Roof signs.
- Sign structures no longer containing signs.
- Signs which emit a sound, odor, or visible matter.
- Signs containing statements, words or pictures of obscene, pornographic or immoral character.
- Signs extending above the height of the building roofline features.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exitway.
- Signs imitating traffic or emergency signals.
- Signs using the words 'STOP,' 'DANGER,' or any word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that misleads, confuses or distracts a vehicle driver.
- Signs placed on or within any public right-of-way except historical markers or those approved by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
- Signs painted on or attached to any tree, fence post, rock, telephone or utility pole, or painted on the roof of any building.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Signs advertising an activity, service, or product no longer produced on the premises where the sign is located.
- Signs painted directly on the wall or any other structural part of a building.
- Signs on private property without consent of the owner.
- Signs in vicinity (within 300 feet) of historical sites or monuments, except pertaining to that particular site or monument, that detract from the visibility of the historic sign.
- Outdoor advertising display.
- Other signs not expressly allowed by these regulations.
Exempt Signs in York
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign that is inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the zone lot or parcel on which such sign is located.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, but only between November 15 and January 15.
- Any freestanding municipal gateway sign that has been approved by city council.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for York
- If a sign requiring a permit under the provision of this ordinance is to be placed, constructed, erected, or modified on a zone lot, the owner of the lot shall secure a sign permit prior to the construction, placement, erection, or modification of such a sign.
- No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with the requirements of this ordinance.
- The owner of a zone lot containing signs requiring a permit under this ordinance shall at all times maintain in force a sign permit for such property.
Source: municode municipal code