Bennettsville City Zoning Code
SIGN REGULATIONS
§ 152.045 PURPOSE.
(A) The regulations herein set forth shall apply and govern in all districts. No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations of this subchapter.
(B) (1) The purpose of these regulations is to protect the dual interest of the public and the advertiser.
(2) They are designed to protect public safety and welfare and to ensure the maintenance of an attractive community environment while satisfying the needs of sign users for adequate identification, communication and advertising.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
§ 152.046 APPLICABILITY; CONFORMANCE.
(A) This subchapter regulates the number, size, placement and physical characteristics of signs, allows certain signs without permits, prohibits certain signs and requires permits for certain signs.
(B) From and after the adoption of this subchapter, no sign may be erected or enlarged in the city unless it conforms to the requirements of this subchapter.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
§ 152.047 SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
(A) Signs shall be allowed on private property in the city in accordance with Appendix A.
(B) Although permitted under the previous division, a sign designated by an “A” in Appendix A shall be allowed only if in compliance with the conditional requirements.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
Editor’s note:
All matters regarding code enforcement except health and safety shall be dealt with utilizing the
summons process and Municipal Court.
§ 152.048 COMMON SIGNAGE PLAN REQUIRED.
(A) A common signage plan shall be prerequisite to the issuance of any sign permit involving:
(1) Two or more contiguous lots or parcels under the same ownership;
(2) A single lot or parcel with more than one principal use or building (not including accessory uses or buildings) or qualifying on the basis of street frontage for more than one free-standing sign; and
(3) The identification or announcement of a land subdivision or development project.
(B) The plan shall contain all information required for sign permits generally and shall also specify standards for consistency among all signs on the zone lot affected by the plan with regard to:
(1) Lettering or graphic style;
(2) Lighting;
(3) Location of each sign on the buildings;
(4) Material; and
(5) Sign proportions.
(C) The common signage plan, for all zone lots with multiple uses or multiple users, shall limit the number of free-standing signs to a total of one for each street on which the zone lots included in the plan have frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of the signs. The maximum sign area may be increased by 25%.
(D) Once approved by the Building Official, the common signage plan shall become binding on all business and used occupying the affected zone lots, but may be amended by filing a new or revised plan that conforms with all requirements of this subchapter.
(E) If any new or amended common signage plan is filed or a property on which existing signs are located, it shall include a schedule for bringing into conformance, within three years, all signs not conforming to the proposed amended plan or to the requirements of this subchapter in effect on the date of submission.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
§ 152.049 SIGNS IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.
No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, except for the following:
(A) Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(B) Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;
(C) Informational signs of a public agency or utility regarding its facilities;
(D) Awning, projecting and suspended signs projecting over a public right-of-way in conformity with the conditions established by this section; and
(E) Emergency signs.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.050 TEMPORARY SIGNS.
The following conditions shall apply to all temporary signs:
(A) No sign, with or without a permit, shall be displayed for a period exceeding 60 consecutive days within any six-month period.
(B) Posters shall not exceed six square feet in area, and portable signs shall not exceed ten square feet in area.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.051 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
All signs allowed by this subchapter shall comply with the development standards of this section.
(A) Visual area clearance. No sign shall be located within a vision clearance area, as defined in § 152.088.
(B) Vehicle area clearance. When a sign extends over an area where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least 14 feet above the ground. Vehicle areas include driveways, alleys, parking lots and loading and maneuvering areas.
(C) Pedestrian area clearance. When a sign extends over sidewalks, walkways or other spaces accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least 8½ feet from the ground.
(D) Sign materials. Signs must be constructed of durable all-weather materials, maintained in good condition and not permitted to fall in disrepair.
(E) Sign illumination.
(1) Signs, when illuminated, shall have the lighting shielded so as not to directly shine on abutting properties or in the line of vision of the public using the streets or sidewalks.
(2) No illumination simulating traffic-control devices or emergency vehicles shall be used, nor shall lights which are intermittently switched on and off, changed in intensity or color, or otherwise displayed to create the illusion of flashing or movement be permitted.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.052 SIGN MEASUREMENT.
(A) Sign face area.
(1) The area of a sign enclosed in frames or cabinets is determined by measuring the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face. Sign area does not include foundations or supports only one side of a double-faced or V-shaped freestanding sign is counted.
(2) For signs on a base material and attached without a frame, such as a wood board or plexiglass panel, the dimensions of the base material are to be used in the measurement unless it is clear that part of the base contains no sign related display or decoration.
(3) For signs constructed of individual pieces attached to a building wall, sign area is determined by a perimeter drawn around all the pieces.
(4) For sign structures containing multiple modules oriented in the same direction, the modules together are counted as one sign face.
(5) The maximum surface area visible at one time of a round or three dimensional sign is counted to determine sign area.
(6) For signs incorporated into awnings, the entire panel containing the sign is counted as the sign face unless it is clear that part of the panel contains no sign related display or decoration.
(B) Clearances. Clearances are measured from the grade directly below the sign to the bottom of the sign structure enclosing the sign face.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
Cross-reference:
Sign Types; Illustrations, see Appendix C
§ 152.053 REMOVAL.
(A) The lawful use of any permanently mounted sign existing at the time of the enactment of this subchapter may be continued although the use does not conform with the provisions of this subchapter, except those declared abandoned, which shall be removed within 90 days of the effective date hereof.
(B) Any existing sign which is subsequently abandoned shall be removed, and any existing sign exceeding the allowable face area by 25%, and which is subsequently destroyed or damaged to the extent of 50% or more of its replacement cost, shall be removed or brought into conformity with these regulations.
(C) Any nonconforming temporary sign which is not permanently mounted shall be removed or brought into conformity no later than 60 days following the effective date of this subchapter.
(D) An order under this section shall be issued in writing to the owner or responsible party of any sign, or of the building or premises on which the sign is located to comply within five days time. Upon failure to comply with the notice, the Building Official may cause the sign to be removed and any costs of removal incurred in the process may be collected in a manner prescribed by law.
(Ord. 94-06-01, passed 6-14-94)
Editor’s note:
All matters regarding code enforcement except health and safety shall be dealt with utilizing the
summons process and Municipal Court.