The purpose of this Article is to provide comprehensive regulations for signs within the city to eliminate confusing, distracting and unsafe signs; assure the efficient transfer of information; and, enhance the visual environment of the city. It is declared that the regulation of signs within the city is necessary and in the public interest:

a.

to protect property values within the city;

b.

to promote and aid in the tourist industry which is declared to be of importance to the economy of the city;

c.

to protect the general public from damage or injury caused by, or partially attributable to the distractions and obstructions which result from improperly designed or situated signs;

d.

to provide a pleasing overall environmental setting and community appearance which is vital to tourism and to the continued economic attractiveness of the city;

e.

to improve the legibility and effectiveness of signs;

f.

to allow signs appropriate to the planned character of each zoning district within the city; and

g.

to promote the public safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the unique historic character of the city.

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07)

a.

No signs which are visible from a public street or way, except signs exempted by Sections 54-405 and 54-411 shall be erected, altered, moved, repaired or replaced within the city until a zoning permit has been granted by the zoning administrator and a building permit has been issued by the chief building inspector as certification that the requirements of this Chapter have been satisfied and that all fees have been paid. The zoning administrator may order the removal of any sign which, after a permit has been obtained, is not constructed in accordance with this Chapter. Table 1.2, located at the end of this Article, summarizes the regulations of this Article for allowed signs in each zoning district.

b.

The jurisdiction of the Board of Architectural Review and Commercial Corridor Design Review Board. This Article shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Board of Architectural Review and the Commercial Corridor Design Review Board to consider and act on applications for signage on premises within its jurisdiction, and nothing herein shall be construed to accord to an applicant a right to a sign of a particular design, size, height or number thereof on premises within the jurisdiction of the Board of Architectural Review and the Commercial Corridor Design Review Board. See Appendix L for Sign Design Guidelines pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Board of Architectural Review. See Appendix M for Sign Design Guidelines pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Commercial Corridor Design Review Board.

c.

Highway Advertising Control Act. Nothing herein shall be construed to in any way prohibit or relieve the city or owners of property within the corporate limits of the city from any duties, responsibilities or obligations imposed upon it or them by virtue of the terms of the Highway Advertising Control Act, as codified by Section 57-25-10 through and including 57-25-220 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976), as amended.

(Ord. No. 2004-78, §§ 1—3, 8-17-04; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 1, 7-16-13)

a.

Height of sign. The height of a sign shall be the vertical distance measured from the adjacent average elevation of the natural grade to the top of the sign face or sign structure, whichever is higher.

b.

Calculation of sign area. Sign area shall be calculated as the entire area within a rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of the sign face, including any frame or border. The area of a sign composed of individual letters, numerals or other devices shall equal the area of the smallest rectangle or square encompassing said letters or devices.

c.

Sign face. Sign face shall be that part of the sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise or communicate information or for visual representation which attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. Sign face includes any background material, panel, trim, color and direct or self-illumination used that differentiates the sign from the building, structure, backdrop surface or object upon which or against which it is placed. The sign structure shall not be included as a portion of the sign face provided that no message, symbol or any of the aforementioned sign face criteria are displayed on or designed as part of the sign structure.

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07)

The following signs are prohibited:

a.

snipe sign;

b.

sandwich board and pedestal signs, except as provided in Sections 54-414 (h) and 54-415(h);

c.

off-premises signs, except billboards as provided in Section 54-414.1 or Section 54-420;

d.

a sign which contains any flashing or animated lights, gives the appearance of animation or movement;

e.

a sign which utilizes individual bulbs or electronic means to produce a message, excluding time and temperature signs; except that school facilities which occupy at least eight (8) acres may utilize electronic message boards as part of their allowed signage provided that 1) the electronic message board does not contain flashing messages, and 2) the electronic message board does not exceed 50 percent of the allowed sign face area; and accommodations uses on commercially zoned properties located wholly or partially within a quarter mile (1,320 feet) of the intersection of the center-lines of the rights-of-way of Highway 17/Savannah Highway and Interstate I-526 may utilize an electronic message board as part of their allowed free-standing signage provided that 1) the electronic message board does not contain flashing or scrolling messages, 2) the size of the electronic message board is restricted to a maximum of 60 square feet per sign face, and 3) the electronic message board is restricted to a maximum of two sign faces.

f.

any sign that projects above the peak of a roof;

g.

vehicle signs and signs which are pulled behind a vehicle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle, golf cart, low speed vehicle, moped, scooter, motor driven cycle, or bicycle;

h.

any sign which emits a sound, odor or visible matter;

i.

any sign which obstructs free ingress/egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way;

j.

Residential subdivision and multi-family development identification signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Residential subdivisions may have two (2) signs per entrance, which shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in sign face, identifying the name of the subdivision as listed on the approved subdivision plat.

2.

Multi-family developments may have two (2) signs per entrance, which shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in sign face, identifying the name of the multi-family development.

3.

Residential subdivision and multi-family development signs are not to be internally illuminated.

4.

Residential subdivision signs must bear the name provided on the recorded subdivision plat. A subdivision name change must be approved by the Planning Commission.

k.

signs using the words "stop," "danger" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in a manner that might reasonably mislead, confuse or distract a vehicle driver;

l.

except as otherwise provided, no sign whether temporary or permanent, except by a public agency or with the approval of the city and upon issuance of an encroachment permit by the city's Public Works and Utility Committee, is permitted within any street right-of-way;

m.

signs painted on or attached to trees, rocks or other natural features, telephone or utility poles;

n.

no sign of any kind shall be erected or displayed in any salt marsh areas or on any land subject to periodic inundation by tidal salt water;

o.

abandoned or dilapidated signs;

p.

portable and temporary signs, except as provided in Section 54-411;

q.

signs in residential districts advertising commercial uses, except institutional signs and signs advertising non-conforming uses or uses otherwise approved by variance or special exception;

r.

fluttering signs, e.g., pennants, balloons and ribbons, except those as provided in Section 54-411;

s.

banners, except those as provided in Sections 54-405 (e) and 54-411;

t.

gas filled figures;

u.

flags containing text or graphics advertising a business, service or product; and

v.

television or computer monitors, located either indoors or outdoors, which are oriented towards a public right of way for the purpose of producing a commercial message or image.

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2009-27, § 1, 2-24-09; Ord. No. 2009-123, § 1, 8-18-09; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 2, 7-16-13; Ord. No. 2015-105, § 3, 8-18-2015; Ord. No. 2018-031, § 7, 4-10-18)

The following signs are exempt from the regulations of this ordinance, provided they are not located within the public right-of-way without an encroachment agreement:

a.

flags, except those as prohibited in Section 54-404 (u);

b.

special event flags, banners, pennants, balloons and ribbons as provided in Section 54-411 (e-f);

c.

street banners as provided in Section 54-411 (c);

d.

real estate banners as provided in Section 54-411 (d);

e.

banners of a unique quality or design which are integral to the architectural design of a building as approved by either the Board of Architectural Review or the Design Review Board within their respective districts.

f.

political (see Section 19-441 of the Code of the City of Charleston);

g.

official notices posted by any court, public agency or officer;

h.

historic plaques; and

i.

traffic, directional, warning or informational signs authorized by any public agency.

(Ord. No. 2004-69, § 1, 7-20-04; Ord. No. 2006-153, § 1, 5-2-06; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2009-08, § 1, 1-13-09; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 3, 7-16-13)

a.

Setback from right-of-way. All freestanding signs shall be located on private property and shall not be located within the vision clearance triangle at street intersections.

b.

Light sources to illuminate signs shall be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets and shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or automobile drivers or so as to create a nuisance to adjacent residential districts.

c.

Signs shall not have light reflecting background, but may use light reflecting lettering.

(Ord. No. 2006-09, § 1, 1-10-06; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07)

a.

The following signs shall require the issuance of a Temporary Sign Permit by the zoning administrator prior to their erection. The permit shall cite the length of time any such sign may be displayed.

1.

Temporary and seasonal produce stands. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet, nor shall any sign exceed ten (10) feet in height.

2.

Temporary signs announcing a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious event. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per sign face or eight (8) feet in height. Such signs shall not be erected more than fourteen (14) days prior to the event and shall be removed within five (5) days after the event.

b.

Real estate or project signs shall be allowed without a permit provided the following restrictions for the type of sign used are met:

1.

Individual single-family and duplex lots or units: For single-family or duplex residential lots or units, one (1) real estate sign, not exceeding three (3) square feet in sign area per face and six (6) square feet in total sign area, and, if freestanding, not exceeding three (3) feet in height, shall be permitted per lot. Property with two (2) or more street frontages shall be permitted one (1) additional sign per frontage. If a framed metal freestanding sign is not used, then a single post sign may be used.

2.

Single-Family Subdivisions, Multi-Family Developments, Commercial Developments and Industrial Developments:

(a)

For multi-family developments containing fewer than eight (8) units, one (1) real estate sign, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in sign area per face and thirty two (32) square feet in total sign area, and, if freestanding, not exceeding eight (8) feet in height, shall be permitted. Property with two (2) or more street frontages shall be permitted one (1) additional sign per frontage.

(b)

For single-family subdivisions, multi-family developments containing eight (8) or more units, commercial, and industrial developments, one (1) real estate or project sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area per face and sixty-four (64) square feet in total sign area, and, if freestanding, not exceeding eight (8) feet in height, shall be permitted. Property with two (2) or more street frontages shall be permitted one (1) additional sign per frontage.

temporary signs-1

3.

Project signs shall not be erected prior to issuance of a building permit and shall be removed prior to issuance of the final certificate of occupancy.

4.

Real estate signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days of the rent, sale or lease of a property.

c.

Street banners advertising special events may be erected over a public right of way by the City of Charleston's Department of Traffic and Transportation, with a permit issued by the aforementioned department.

temporary signs-2

d.

In lieu of a project sign or real estate sign as described in paragraph b above, banners associated with the opening of a new residential community, business or institution may be erected without a permit. Said banners may be in place for up to thirty (30) days from the date of the initial opening. Banner signs used in this manner shall be restricted to one banner at each entrance to the development, not to exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in size for each banner. Banners are to be attached to a permanent structure, such as a building or fence and not temporary supports, trees, automobiles or etcetera.

temporary signs-3

e.

Flags, pennants, banners, balloons, ribbons and other aerial devices used for special events and festivals sponsored by the City of Charleston or a non profit agency may be erected without a permit by the City of Charleston and shall be removed within five (5) days after the event.

f.

Flags, pennants, banners, balloons, ribbons and other aerial devices may be erected without a permit by a resident within any residential district so long as they do not contain text or graphics advertising a business or service.

temporary signs-4

g.

Temporary window signs shall be allowed without a permit provided that they, along with any permanent window signs, cover no more than 20% of any single window area and shall be in place for no more than sixty (60) days.

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07)

In the Savannah Highway Overlay Zone and Residential Office District only the following signs shall be permitted.

a.

Freestanding Signs: One double-faced, monument style sign shall be allowed per lot with a maximum of twelve (12) square feet in area per side and not to exceed five (5) feet in height; and

b.

Illumination of Freestanding Signs: Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. The use of plastic sign faces is prohibited.

c.

All other sign types: The use of façade signs, right angle signs, reader boards, window signs, awning/canopy signs, wall/fence signs, sandwich board signs, kiosk/directory signs and directional/warning signs is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 1998-112, § 3, 5-26-98; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07)

In the Commercial Transitional District only the following signs shall be permitted.

a.

Freestanding Signs: One double-faced, monument style sign shall be allowed per lot with a maximum of twelve (12) square feet in area per side and not to exceed five (5) feet in height; and

b.

Illumination of Freestanding Signs: Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. The use of plastic sign faces is prohibited.

c.

Façade Signs: One (1) non-illuminated façade sign, not exceeding nine (9) square feet is allowed per business unit.

d.

Window signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

In addition to signage permitted under "Façade Signs," window signs may be displayed provided no more than twenty (20) percent of any single window area is covered by such signage.

2.

Window signs are to be limited to ground floor windows and/or businesses.

e.

Awning and Canopy Signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Awning and canopy signs shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of a single surface area of a canopy or awning.

2.

Translucent internally illuminated awnings and canopies are not permitted.

3.

Awnings shall fit over only the opening it covers and not extend across the entire façade.

f.

Right Angle Signs: One right angle sign shall be permitted per business unit as follows:

1.

Right angle signs shall not exceed nine (9) square feet per face.

2.

Right angle signs are not to be illuminated.

g.

All other sign types: The use of reader boards (except as provided in Section 54-415(l)), wall/fence signs, sandwich board signs, kiosk/directory signs and directional/warning signs are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2009-08, § 2, 1-13-09; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 4, 7-16-13)

In the Daniel Island Town Center, Gathering Place District and Neighborhood District only the following signs shall be permitted:

a.

Freestanding signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

One double-faced monument style shall be allowed per lot with a maximum of twelve (12) square feet in area per side and not exceeding five (5) feet in height.

2.

Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. The use of plastic sign faces is prohibited.

b.

Façade signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Façade signs for businesses or uses occupying the ground floor of a multi-story building shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Sign faces shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent per ground floor facade of the building.

(b)

Façade signs shall not be located above the ground floor level of a multi-story building with the exception of those signs identifying the name of a building.

(c)

Sign faces shall have a vertical dimension of no more than two-thirds (⅔) of the vertical dimension of a single uninterrupted wall plane, surface, or sign band.

2.

Façade signs for businesses or uses occupying a space above the ground floor of a multi-story building shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

For buildings with three (3) or fewer business spaces above the ground floor of a multi-story building, one (1) façade sign, not exceeding one (1) square foot, is allowed per business unit occupying a space above the ground floor level.

(b)

Façade signs shall be located at the ground floor building entrance providing access to the business unit above the ground floor level of a multi-story building.

3.

Where more than one (1) business or use occupies a single building, each separate business occupying a space may erect signage whose sign faces shall conform with the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 above.

4.

Façade signs shall be limited to the following locations:

(a)

On any façade which contains a building entrance accessible to the general public.

(b)

On any façade which parallels a public street or public right-of-way providing driveway access to the parcel.

5.

Façade signs shall not to be internally illuminated.

c.

Window signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Window signs may be displayed provided no more than twenty (20) percent of any single window area is covered by such signage.

2.

Window signs are to be limited to ground floor windows and/or businesses. However, businesses occupying a unit above the ground floor level of a multi-story building may display window signs at the ground floor building entrance providing they conform with the requirements of paragraph 1 above.

3.

Window signs shall not be illuminated.

d.

Awning and canopy signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Awning signs shall be limited to the awning valance only and are not permitted on the slope of the awning. Awning text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than two thirds (⅔) of the vertical dimension of the awning valance.

2.

Canopy signs shall be allowed on the face of the canopy; canopy text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than two thirds (⅔) of the vertical dimension of the canopy face. Canopy signs shall be allowed on the top of a canopy; canopy text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than sixteen (16) inches.

3.

Translucent internally illuminated awnings and canopies are not permitted.

4.

Awnings shall fit over only the opening it covers and not extend across the entire façade.

e.

Right angle signs for individual business units: One (1) right angle sign shall be permitted per business unit occupying the ground floor of a single story or multi-story building as follows:

1.

Right angle signs shall not exceed nine (9) square feet per face.

f.

Right angle signs in lieu of a freestanding sign: One (1) right angle sign shall be permitted, in addition to right angle sign(s) permitted in paragraph e. above, per development as follows:

1.

A right angle sign is not permitted in conjunction with a freestanding, wall or fence sign.

2.

A right angle sign shall not contain any information other than the name, address or logo of the development. A right angle sign shall not be used as a multi-tenant sign.

3.

A right angle sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet per face; except that a building with three (3) or more conditioned stories and more than forty thousand (40,000) square feet of conditioned space shall be permitted to have a larger right angle sign not to exceed forty (40) square feet per face and eighty (80) square feet of total sign face area.

4.

A right angle sign shall have a vertical dimension of no more than one half (½) of the vertical dimension of a building facade.

g.

Wall or fence signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sign(s) attached to a wall or fence shall be considered a freestanding sign. One (1) wall or fence sign may be erected in lieu of a freestanding sign. When a development fronts on two or more streets, one (1) additional wall or fence sign, in lieu of a freestanding sign, shall be permitted per street, provided however said street(s) have a driveway access.

2.

The sign face of a wall or street sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.

3.

Wall and fence signs may be illuminated with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Internal illumination is prohibited.

h.

Sandwich board signs for businesses occupying the ground floor of a building shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sandwich board signs on private property are allowed without a permit provided they meet the requirements as follows:

(a)

Only one sandwich board sign shall be allowed for any single building; provided, however, that where more than one (1) business occupies a building, each ground floor business may have a sandwich board sign.

(b)

No sandwich board signs shall exceed twenty-four (24) inches in width or thirty-six (36) inches in height.

(c)

Such property shall not be entitled to any other freestanding signage.

2.

Sandwich board signs within a public right-of-way shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Sandwich board signs shall conform with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

(b)

Sandwich board signs shall only be permitted on a sidewalk with a minimum width of ten (10) feet.

(c)

Sandwich board signs shall maintain a clear pedestrian path on the sidewalk of five (5) feet minimum at all times. This area shall be free of any obstructions such as trees, tree wells, parking meters and the like in order to allow adequate pedestrian movement.

(d)

Sandwich board signs shall not interfere with any utilities or other facilities such as fire hydrants, street signs, parking meters, mailboxes or benches located on the sidewalk or in the public right-of-way.

(e)

Sandwich board signs shall not impinge on any required clear distances for maneuvering around building entrances and exits.

(f)

A sandwich board sign must be located directly in front of the ground floor business unit for which it serves.

(g)

Sandwich board signs within a public right-of-way shall require an encroachment permit issued by the City of Charleston Department of Public Services.

i.

Freestanding directory signs shall be permitted for multi-tenant shopping centers as follows:

1.

Such directory signs shall be for directory information purposes only.

2.

The area of the directory sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet per face and five (5) feet in height.

3.

One (1) directory sign shall be permitted per driveway entrance.

4.

Directory signs shall not be illuminated.

5.

Such directory signs shall be for the use of internal business units only and shall not be for the use of business units fronting on a public right-of-way.

6.

A freestanding directory sign is not permitted in conjunction with a freestanding, wall or fence sign.

j.

Building entrance directory signs shall be permitted for multi-tenant buildings as follows:

1.

Such directory signs shall be for directory information purposes only.

2.

The area of the directory sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

3.

One (1) directory sign shall be permitted per building entrance.

4.

Directory signs shall not be illuminated.

5.

Directory signs may be affixed to the building façade or freestanding and shall be located immediately adjacent to a building entrance.

6.

Such directory signs shall be for the use of internal business units only and shall not be for the use of business units fronting on a public right-of-way.

k.

The use of multiple signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Businesses or uses occupying the ground floor of a multi-story building shall be limited to two of the following signs per building façade: façade sign, window sign, awning sign, canopy sign and right angle sign.

2.

Businesses or uses occupying a space above the ground floor of a multi-story building shall be limited to one of the following signs per ground floor building entrance: façade sign, window sign and building entrance directory sign.

l.

All other sign types: The use of reader boards (except as provided in Subsection 54-415.a.5.(c) and directional/warning signs is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2006-09, § 2, 1-10-06; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2008-57, § 1, 4-8-08; Ord. No. 2009-08, § 3, 1-13-09; Ord. No. 2010-29, § 2, 3-9-10; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 5, 7-16-13; Ord. No. 2018-031, § 8, 4-10-18)

In the AG-8 and AG-S Districts, only the following signs shall be permitted.

a.

Freestanding signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

On-premises freestanding signs shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

No sign shall have more than two sign faces and each sign face shall not exceed ten (10) square feet, except that each sign face may be increased to thirty-two (32) square feet if a special exception is approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals-Zoning pursuant to the requirements of section 54-1006.

(b)

No sign shall exceed twelve (12) feet in height.

(c)

No more than two (2) monument freestanding signs shall be permitted for each major street frontage.

(d)

Freestanding signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

2.

Residential subdivision and multi-family development identification signs shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Residential subdivisions and multi-family developments may have two (2) signs per entrance, which shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height and thirty-two (32) square feet in sign face, identifying the name of the subdivision as listed on the approved subdivision plat.

(b)

Residential subdivision and multi-family development signs shall not to be internally illuminated.

(c)

Residential subdivision signs must bear the name provided on the recorded subdivision plat. A subdivision name change must be approved by the Planning Commission.

3.

Off-premises free-standing signs advertising products from bona fide agricultural uses, related activities and farm identification may be permitted on properties located in agricultural zoning districts, subject to the following requirements:

(a)

A maximum of one (1) off-premises sign is permitted per bona fide agricultural use;

(b)

The sign shall comply with the dimensional limitations for on-premises freestanding signs in the Agricultural districts;

(c)

The sign shall not be internally or externally illuminated;

(d)

The applicant shall submit a signed letter of intent and supporting documentation indicating that the primary use of the property being advertised is a bona fide agricultural use as defined in this 54-120 and that the products and events advertised are grown, produced, and/or will occur on the bona fide agricultural use property; and

(e)

The applicant shall submit a signed letter of agreement from the property owner of the parcel on which the sign is to be located stating that the property owner will allow the sign to be erected at the location indicated on the site plan.

(Ord. No. 2018-031, § 8, 4-10-18)

In all other districts, only the following signs shall be permitted:

a.

Freestanding signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

For a development containing three (3) or fewer business units, one (1) monument sign shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

No sign shall exceed forty (40) square feet per face or eighty (80) square feet of total sign face area.

(b)

No sign shall exceed twelve (12) feet in height.

(c)

Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

2.

For a development containing more than three (3) business units and fewer than twenty (20) business units, one (1) monument sign shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

No sign shall exceed sixty (60) square feet per face or one hundred and twenty (120) square feet of total sign face area. No sign shall exceed fourteen (14) feet in height.

(b)

Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

3.

For a development containing twenty (20) or more business units, or 150,000 square feet or more of floor area, one (1) monument sign shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

No sign shall exceed one hundred (100) square feet per face or two hundred (200) square feet of total sign face area. No sign shall exceed fourteen (14) feet in height.

(b)

Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

4.

When a development fronts on two (2) or more streets, one (1) additional monument sign shall be permitted per street; provided however, said street(s) have driveway access. These signs shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Additional sign(s) shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square feet per face or seventy (70) square feet of total sign face area.

(b)

Additional sign(s) shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.

(c)

Additional sign(s) may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

5.

Special provisions for freestanding signs:

(a)

Menu boards which are constructed as a part of a drive-thru service are not deemed to be freestanding signs.

(b)

Instructional signs which are constructed as part of a self-service use are not deemed to be a freestanding sign.

(c)

Reader boards shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Reader boards are allowed as a part of a monument sign only and are not to be used as facade signs.

2.

With the exception of public schools, reader boards shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the allowable sign face area.

3.

Reader boards are not to be internally illuminated.

b.

Façade Signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sign faces shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent per façade of the building.

2.

Where more than one (1) business or use occupies a single building, each separate business occupying a space which includes an exterior façade may erect signage whose sign faces shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent per façade of the separate business entity; provided, however, that the total signage per façade for the business entities occupying the single building shall not exceed the ten (10) percent coverage requirement.

3.

Where a business or use occupies an interior space of a single building, said business or use may erect signage on an exterior façade of the single building provided the total signage per building façade shall not exceed the ten (10) percent coverage requirement.

4.

With the exception of a building façade fronting a public street or public right-of-way, façade signs shall be limited to those façades which have a building entrance accessible to the general public or pedestrian.

c.

Window signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

In addition to signage permitted under "Façade Signs," window signs may be displayed provided no more than twenty (20) percent of any single window area is covered by such signage.

2.

Window signs are to be limited to ground floor windows and/or businesses.

d.

Awning and Canopy Signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Awning signs shall be limited to the awning valance only and are not permitted on the slope of the awning. Awning text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than two-thirds (⅔) of the vertical dimension of the awning valance.

2.

Canopy signs shall be allowed on the face of the canopy; canopy text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than two-thirds (⅔) of the vertical dimension of the canopy face. Canopy signs shall be allowed on the top of a canopy; canopy text and/or graphics shall have a vertical dimension of no more than sixteen (16) inches.

3.

Translucent internally illuminated awnings and canopies are not permitted.

4.

Awnings and canopies shall fit over only the opening it covers and not extend across the entire façade.

e.

Right Angle Signs for Individual Business Units: One right angle sign shall be permitted per business unit as follows:

1.

Right angle signs shall not exceed nine (9) square feet per face.

f.

Right Angle Signs in lieu of a Freestanding Sign: One right angle sign shall be permitted, in addition to sign(s) permitted in paragraph e. above, per development as follows:

1.

A right angle sign is not permitted in conjunction with a freestanding sign.

2.

A right angle sign shall not contain any information other than the name, address or logo of the development or single tenant. A right angle sign shall not be used as a multi-tenant sign.

3.

A right angle sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet per face; except that a building with three (3) or more conditioned stories and more than forty thousand (40,000) square feet of conditioned space shall be permitted to have a larger right angle sign not to exceed forty (40) square feet per face and eighty (80) square feet of total sign face area.

4.

A right angle sign shall have a vertical dimension of no more than one-half (½) of the vertical dimension of a building façade.

g.

Wall or fence signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sign(s) attached to a wall or fence shall be considered a freestanding sign. One (1) wall or fence sign may be erected in lieu of a freestanding sign. When a development fronts on two or more streets, one (1) additional wall or fence sign, in lieu of a freestanding sign, shall be permitted per street, provided however said street(s) have driveway access.

2.

The sign face of a wall or fence sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area.

3.

Wall and fence signs may be illuminated with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Internal illumination is prohibited.

h.

Sandwich board signs and pedestal signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sandwich board signs and pedestal signs within public right-of-way prohibited. No person shall place, affix, connect, attach, fasten, erect, construct, replace or maintain any sandwich board on any public rights-of-way in the city.

2.

Sandwich board signs and pedestal signs on private property are allowed without a permit provided they meet the requirements as follows:

(a)

Only one sandwich board sign or pedestal sign shall be allowed for any single building; provided, however, that where more than one (1) business occupies a building, each business may have a sandwich board sign or pedestal sign.

(b)

No sandwich board sign or pedestal sign shall exceed twenty-four (24) inches in width or thirty-six (36) inches in height.

(c)

Such property shall not be entitled to any other freestanding signage.

i.

Kiosks or directory signs shall be permitted for multiple-use shopping, business, office and professional centers as follows:

1.

Such kiosks or directory signs shall be for directory information purposes only.

2.

The area of the directory sign or kiosk shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet per face and five (5) feet in height.

3.

Directory and kiosk signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs are prohibited.

j.

Residential subdivision and multi-family development identification signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Residential subdivisions may have two (2) signs per entrance, which shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in sign face, identifying the name of the subdivision as listed on the approved subdivision plat.

2.

Multi-family developments may have two (2) signs per entrance, which shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in sign face, identifying the name of the multi-family development.

3.

Residential subdivision and multi-family development signs are not to be internally illuminated.

4.

Residential subdivision signs must bear the name provided on the recorded subdivision plat. A subdivision name change must be approved by the Planning Commission.

k.

Gasoline filling stations may have additional signs as follows:

1.

Petroleum products and dispensers which are within view of a public way shall be permitted to display information required by law and in addition, the brand name and type of product being dispensed, so long as such signs do not extend beyond the face of the dispenser and are not illuminated.

2.

The price per gallon may be displayed on each individual pump structure or island, as long as the characters do not exceed six inches (6") in height and are not illuminated.

l.

Directional and warning signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

On-premises sign(s) shall not exceed four (4) square feet per sign face and three (3) feet in height.

2.

Such sign(s) shall not be considered signs for purposes of computing the total number and area of freestanding, façade or temporary signs.

3.

Such sign(s) shall not be illuminated; however reflective lettering may be used.

m.

Institutional signs within residential, commercial transitional, gathering place and neighborhood districts shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Freestanding monument signs shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Monument institutional signs shall be no more than six (6) feet in height and each sign face shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet.

(b)

There shall be no more than one (1) monument sign per institutional use per entrance; provided, however, that in the case of a complex of buildings which house institutional uses, each building shall be allowed an additional monument sign no more than four (4) feet in height and twelve (12) square feet in area.

(c)

Monument signs may be illuminated internally or with a shielded spot light located at the base of the sign. Plastic face signs shall have opaque backgrounds allowing only the text and logos to illuminate.

(d)

Reader boards are allowed as a part of a monument sign only and are not to be used as façade signs.

(e)

With the exception of public schools, reader boards shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the allowable freestanding sign face area.

(f)

Reader boards are not to be illuminated.

2.

Façade signs shall be permitted as follows:

(a)

Sign faces shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent per façade of the building.

(b)

Façade signs are not to be internally illuminated.

n.

Off-premises signs shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Off-premises signs are permitted only within the HI (Heavy Industrial) zoning district and only when the entire sign and sign structure is located within one hundred (100) feet of an interstate highway.

2.

In this district, one off-premise sign shall be permitted per lot provided it meets the following requirements:

(a)

Off-premises signs shall be separated from other off-premises signs along either side of the same street or thoroughfare by a minimum distance of one thousand (1,000) feet.

(b)

Off-premises signs shall be separated from residentially zoned properties by a minimum distance of five hundred (500) feet.

(c)

Setback of off-premises signs from property lines shall be at least five (5) feet.

(d)

Off-premises signs shall only be located on high ground.

(e)

Height and area of off-premises signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet above the roadbed toward which the advertising is directed or thirty-five (35) feet above the ground, whichever is less, nor exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet of advertising surface on one side.

(Ord. No. 1997-03, §§ 1, 2, 1-28-97; Ord. No. 1998-112, § 4, 5-26-98; Ord. No. 2005-95, § 2, 5-17-05; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2008-57, § 2, 4-8-08; Ord. No. 2009-08, § 3, 1-13-09; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 6, 7-16-13)

a.

Signs legally existing on May 17, 2005, that do not conform to the provisions of this Article, shall be considered non-conforming signs and may continue in use only as provided in this section. Provided, however, that this non-conforming use protection shall not apply to any sign established in violation of, or amortized pursuant to, the Zoning Ordinance previously in effect, unless such sign now conforms with the provisions of this Article. For the purposes of this section, the term "sign" shall include the sign face and the structure on which the sign face is attached.

b.

Abandonment of use.

1.

A non-conforming sign that has been abandoned shall be removed within ninety (90) days of written notification thereof, and shall not thereafter be reestablished, except in conformity with the provisions of this Article.

2.

A sign has been abandoned if it is not being maintained as required by the regulations, or which is overgrown by trees or other vegetation not on the highway right-of-way, or which has had obsolete advertising messages or no advertising messages for a period of six (6) months, or for which a permit has not been obtained or is not current.

c.

Restoration of damaged non-conforming signs.

1.

Any non-conforming sign damaged by more than fifty (50) percent of its reasonable replacement cost at the time of damage assessment, either through neglect, deferred maintenance or normal wear and tear over a period of time, or by fire, flood, explosion, wind, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, war, riot, or other act of God, shall not be restored or reconstructed and used as before such damage, unless in conformity with the provisions contained herein.

2.

If less than fifty (50) percent of the sign is damaged, it may be repaired and used as before, provided that such repair is completed within six (6) months of such happenings.

3.

The percentage of damage shall be calculated by dividing the estimated cost of restoring the sign to its pre-damaged condition by its reasonable replacement cost.

d.

Alterations to non-conforming freestanding signs. Any non-conforming freestanding sign altered by the modification of the size or shape of its cabinet(s) or frame(s) containing the sign face, or complete or partial removal of its cabinet(s) or frame(s) containing the sign face shall be made to conform to the provisions of this article.

e.

Off Premises Signs. Non-conforming off premises signs, except for non-conforming off premises signs located along Federal Aid Primary Roads, Interstate System Roads, and National Highway System Roads, shall be amortized and the non-conforming use discontinued as provided in Table 1.1, of this section.Non-conforming off premises signs located along a Federal Aid Primary Road, Interstate System Road or National Highway System Road shall be discontinued if abandoned as delineated in 54-420(b). Non-conforming off premises signs located along a Federal Aid Primary Road or National Highway System Road, if damaged more than fifty (50) percent as delineated in 54-420(c), shall be permanently ended and discontinued and the remaining portions of the off premises sign removed. Non-conforming off premises signs located along Interstate System Roads may be subject to the provisions of Section 54-420(f).

Amortization of non-conforming off premises signs, except for non-conforming signs located along Federal Aid Primary Roads, Interstate System Roads, and National Highway System Roads shall be subject to the following:

1.

Non-conforming off premises signs shall be removed or otherwise made to conform to the provisions of this Article within the number of years set forth in Table 1.1: Amortization Schedule, which shall begin to run on May 17, 2005.

2.

The amortization period for non-conforming off premises signs subject to this Ordinance by reason of annexation by the city after the enactment of this Ordinance shall begin to run on the date of annexation.

3.

The amortization period set forth in Table 1.1 shall be conclusively presumed to have provided just compensation to the owner of the off premises sign and the owner of the real property on which the off premises sign is located for any property interest impacted by this Ordinance.

a.

Provided, however, that if any amortization period is declared invalid and it is ordered or determined that the city is required to pay funds as compensation, that the city shall have the option to allow the off premises sign to continue in existence as a non-conforming use without payment of such funds until, in its sole discretion, the city determines that adequate funds exist to remove the off premises sign.

b.

The failure of the city to remove any off premises sign shall not be construed as a waiver by the city to exercise any such rights in the future or demand strict compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

f.

Non-conforming Interstate System Road Signs. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter to the contrary, all non-conforming off premises signs along Interstate System Roads existing as of February 1, 2017, shall be permitted to remain in existence, and may be repaired, replaced, or relocated if the following requirements are met:

1.

There shall be no increase in the size or number of sign faces (except that the practice of using cutouts, embellishments, or add-ons, which increase the size of a sign face by up to 150 square feet shall continue to be permitted) and there shall be no change in the orientation of sign faces in relation to the Interstate System Road on which they are located which would make them visible from another road or highway.

2.

The existing height of a sign above the adjacent roadbed, excluding ramps, shall not be increased.

3.

Signs that are not illuminated on the effective date of this ordinance shall not thereafter be illuminated.

4.

For a non-conforming Interstate System sign to be approved for relocation, the relocation shall meet the following requirements:

a.

The relocation is necessitated due to an approved and funded widening or relocation of an Interstate System Road or ramp therefrom.;

b.

The new location of the sign shall be within 500 feet of the sign location on the effective date of this ordinance and along the same Interstate System Road;

c.

The new location shall maintain a minimum separation distance of 500 feet from the nearest residentially zoned property, except that an existing sign located within 500 feet of a residentially zoned property on the effective date of this ordinance may be relocated if the new location maintains or exceeds the minimum distance the existing sign is located from a residentially zoned property;

d.

The new location shall not increase the impact of the sign on marsh vistas or historical resources; and

e.

The new location shall have a zoning of HI, LI or GB.

TABLE 1.1: AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE

(Ord. No. 1997-03, §§ 3, 4, 1-28-97; Ord. No. 2005-95, § 3, 5-17-05; Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2017-156, § 1, 12-19-17)

TABLE 1.2: ALLOWED SIGN TYPES BY ZONING DISTRICTS, EXCEPT AG DISTRICTS

(Ord. No. 2007-135, 7-11-07; Ord. No. 2013-69, § 7, 7-16-13; Ord. No. 2016-102, § 6, 9-13-16; Ord. No. 2018-031, § 9, 4-10-18)