This article regulates the number, size, placement, and physical characteristics of signs; allows certain signs without permits; prohibits certain signs; and requires permits for certain signs.

From and after the adoption of this chapter, no sign may be erected or enlarged within the jurisdiction of this chapter unless it conforms to the requirements of this article.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.1, 6-7-07)

Signs shall be allowed on private property in accord with Table VII. If the letter "A" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed without prior permit approval in the zoning district represented by that column. If the letter "P" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed only with prior permit approval in the zoning district represented by that column. If the letter "N" appears for a sign type in a column, such a sign is not allowed in the zoning district represented by that column under any circumstances.

Although permitted under the previous paragraph, a sign designated by an "A" in Table VII shall be allowed only if in compliance with the conditional requirements of Table VIII.

Table VII: Regulation of Signs by Type, Characteristics, and Zoning Districts

Table Notes:

(1)

Signs identifying or announcing land subdivisions, residential projects, or agricultural operations, where permitted.

(2)

See section 30-205.

(3)

This column does not represent a zoning district. It applies to institutional and other nonresidential uses permitted in residential zoning districts, e.g., churches, schools, parks, etc., and includes historical markers.

(4)

Where permitted by Table VII, billboards may be established only on lots or parcels fronting or within 600 feet of interstate ROW as defined by Table VIII and U.S. designated highways.

(5)

Unzoned area of county.

(6)

Though allowed without prior permitting, must meet the conditional requirements of Table VIII. Directional signs are allowed for conforming, nonresidential uses in residential zones.

(7)

Color, fluorescent—Allowed only on portable signs where permitted.

(8)

Digital display billboards—See section 30-207 for development standards.

(9)

A shared sign located at a jointly shared curb cut/entry drive for the advertisement and identification of two of more businesses located on separate parcels but sharing property boundaries which are part of an approved multi parcel development which serves industrial, commerce, and retail parks is permitted.

NA—Regulation not applicable in unzoned area of county.

Table VIII: Number, Dimension, and Location of Permitted Signs, by Zoning District

Table Notes:

NA = Not applicable

N = Not allowed

s.f. = Square feet

A.

One-use identification sign, not exceeding 20 s.f. each is permitted for each entrance of a subdivision, residential project, or agricultural operation.

B.

This column does not represent a zoning district. It applies to institutional and other nonresidential uses permitted under the zoning ordinance in a residential zoning district, i.e. churches, schools, parks, etc.

C.

Minimum distances required by this section shall be measured between billboards located on either side of the street along the centerline of the street from which the billboard is viewed. The measurement shall be made without respect to municipal boundaries within Florence County. Any billboard within Florence County shall be measured with respect to the 1,200 feet minimum separation distance.

D.

One per lot or one for each 300 linear feet of street frontage.

E.

Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed one additional sign for each street frontage, but signage cannot be accumulated and used on one street in excess of that allowed for lots with only one street frontage.

F.

378 s.f., except where located within 600 feet of an Interstate Highway ROW, where maximum shall be 672 square feet. Interstate highway ROW does not include I-20 Spur or McLeod Blvd. from W. Evans to I-95.

G.

Not to exceed three square feet for one foot of street frontage up to a maximum of 160 square feet for a single business on a parcel with changeable copy and/or digital reader board portions as a part of the total sign size not to exceed 50 square feet. On parcels with multiple businesses, total sign size up to a maximum of 260 square feet with changeable copy and/or reader board portions as a part of the total sign size not to exceed 50 square feet.

H.

Maximum height of billboards shall not exceed 100 feet where located within 600 feet of interstate highway as defined above (measured from the average roadway grade level); maximum height of other signs and billboards not on Interstate ROW shall not exceed 40 feet.

I.

Unzoned areas - Billboards must be within 600 feet of business in operation for 12 months, with at least one employee available to public at least 36 hours per week for four days. Business to be equipped with all utilities, including restroom and permanent floor.

J.

Directional signs shall meet the following conditional criteria:

1.

The display surface area of directional signs shall not exceed three square feet per sign.

2.

A limit of three signs stacked may be utilized and shall not exceed nine square feet total.

3.

The height of a directional sign shall not exceed five feet in height measured from the ground up.

4.

The sign cannot intrude into the required site triangle.

5.

Company colors and/or logo may be used but no commercial message may be displayed.

K.

Parcels which border an interstate may have one on premises sign not more than 100 feet in height and not more than 672 s.f. in area. This sign will be in addition to the one permitted on premises sign. Frontage roads do not affect continuity of an interstate border.

L.

Signs pertaining to Sec. 30-202 Table VII (9) will not count toward the total amount of allowable signs.

M.

Signs pertaining to Sec. 30-202 Table VII (9) shall be allowed a total size up to a maximum of 260 square feet with changeable copy and/or reader board portions as a part of the total sign size not to exceed 50 square feet. The maximum height of such signs shall not exceed 40 feet from the ground contact base to the upper most portion of the sign.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.2, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 26-2008/09, § 3, 6-4-09; Ord. No. 31-2008/09, §§ 1, 3, 9-17-09; Ord. No. 6-2009/10, § 3, 10-15-09; Ord. No. 09-2010/11, §§ 1, 2, 12-9-10, eff. 7-1-11; Ord. No. 02-2012/13, § 1, 9-13-12; Ord. No. 32-2017/18, § 2, 7-19-18; Ord. No. 14-2018/19, § 1, 4-18-19; Ord. No. 15-2021/22, § 1, 2-17-22)

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)

A PD (planned development district) project.

The plan shall contain all information required for sign permits generally (section 30-270) and shall specify standards for consistency among all signs on the lot affected by the plan with regard to:

Lettering or graphic style;

Lighting;

Location of each sign on the buildings;

Material; and

Sign proportions.

A common signage plan shall limit the number of free-standing signs to a total of one for each street on which there is frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of such signs; however the maximum sign area may be increased by 25 percent.

Once approved by the zoning administrator, the common signage plan shall become binding on all businesses and uses occupying the affected lots, but may be amended by filing a new or revised plan in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.

If any new or amended common signage plan is filed for 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 chapter in effect on the date of submission.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.3, 6-7-07)

No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, except for the following:

(1)

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;

(2)

Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;

(3)

Informational signs of a public agency or utility regarding its facilities;

(4)

Awning and projecting signs in the B-4 district or where a building has no setback due to highway widening or was constructed prior to the adoption of this chapter; provided such signs shall project no closer than one and one-half feet to the street curb or pavement;

(5)

Church signs, in accord with state law;

(6)

Historical signs and markers;

(7)

Emergency signs; and

(8)

Directional signs of a temporary nature not to exceed three square feet in area and 24 hours in duration for such events as yard sales, auctions, public gatherings, etc.; provided they are located no closer than 500 feet apart.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.4, 6-7-07)

A.

A-Frame signs, where located on sidewalks, shall be located in such a manner as not to obstruct pedestrian movement.

B.

Banners and pennants shall be properly secured and maintained at all times, and shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement.

C.

Posters shall not be allowed on any telephone or power poles or any public right-of-way, and shall be placed no closer than five feet from a street or curb.

D.

Portable signs shall be limited to one per business establishment, in the instance where you have more than one business establishment per parcel, multiple signs may be allowed up to one per business establishment but must maintain a 100-foot spacing between signs along the frontage, signs shall have no colored or flashing lights, shall not be wired so as to obstruct or hinder pedestrian or vehicular traffic or pose any potential for such hindrance (i.e. exposed drop cord), shall not exceed eight feet in height, shall be anchored in accord with the building code.

E.

Inflatable signs shall be properly anchored and shall not interfere with airport traffic.

F.

Temporary subdivision and work under construction identification signs shall adhere to the development standards of section 30-207.

G.

Political signs shall be removed within seven days after the election.

H.

Public agencies, tax exempt organizations and 501c3 organizations may display a portable sign for special events with no permit and no fees provided they comply with the remainder of the rules established for portable signs.

I.

The county administrator may grant exceptions as necessary in 90-day increments for natural disasters (hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, etc.) or individual events (wind, fire, etc.) that have caused the destruction of a permanent sign.

J.

New businesses or businesses that have a new physical location shall be allowed to have a portable sign for up to 12 consecutive months from date that such business becomes open to the public.

K.

Portable signs in unzoned areas may be displayed 12 months out of the year.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.5, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 09-2010/11, § 3, 12-9-10, eff. 7-1-11)

All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter are prohibited. Such signs include, but are not limited to:

(1)

Signs painted on or attached to trees, fence posts, telephone or other utility poles, stationary vehicles, or natural features.

(2)

Signs displaying intermittent lights resembling the flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or in police, fire, ambulance, rescue vehicles or other warning signals, and signs using the words "stop", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that might mislead or confuse motorist.

(3)

An abandoned sign which identifies, describes, directs attention to, or gives directions for locating any business or establishment no longer in operation, or advertises any product no longer marketed or any sign structure lacking sign faces for a period of 120 continuous days or more shall be considered abandoned. Sign structures and boxes with faces that are blank or which advertise the availability of a property (for sale, for lease etc.) are not considered abandoned.

(4)

Dangerous signs which are unsafe or structurally unsound.

(5)

Dilapidated signs which have not been properly maintained, to include painting, lettering, replacement of broken faces or parts, repairing of electrical wiring and/or lighting.

(6)

Illegal signs which do not meet the requirements of this section, not to include nonconforming signs which were in place prior to the adoption of this section.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.6, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 25-2009/10, § 1, 2-18-10)

(a)

Visual area clearance. No sign shall be located within a vision clearance area as defined in section 30-245.

(b)

Vehicle area clearance. When a sign extends over an area where vehicles travel or park, 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. (See area clearance illustration, 4.)

(c)

Pedestrian area clearance. When a sign extends over a sidewalk, walkway, or other space accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least eight feet above the ground. (See area clearance illustration, 4.)

(d)

Sign materials; code compliance. Permanent and temporary identification signs must be constructed in accord with all applicable provisions of the building code and National Electrical Code, and consist of durable all-weather materials. Images, logos, graphics, etc., painted on permanent signs or buildings must be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner. Permits for painted signs will only be issued to companies who are engaged as sign painters.

(e)

Billboard design. Stacked or double-decked sign faces or side by side sign faces shall not be permitted. Structures permitted after the effective date of this chapter, with a 32 square foot or more sign face, shall be designed and constructed with a single steel pole structural support design, meeting the southeastern building code, including a 110-mile-per-hour wind load.

(f)

Digital and electronic changing message off-premises signs. Digital and electronic changing message signs are permitted off-site signs, including preexisting, nonconforming off-site signs, and may be digital signs or electronic changing message signs subject to the following provisions:

(1)

All messages, images or displays on a digital sign or electronically changing message sign shall remain unchanged for a minimum of six seconds.

(2)

The time interval used to change from one complete message, image or display to the next complete message, image or display shall be a maximum of one second.

(3)

There shall be no appearance of a visual dissolve or fading, in which any part of one message, image or display appears simultaneously with a part of a second message, image or display.

(4)

There shall be no appearance of flashing or sudden bursts of light, and no appearance of video motion, animation, movement or flow of the message, image or display within the sign.

(5)

The intensity and contrast of light levels shall remain constant throughout the sign face.

(6)

Each digital sign or electronically changing message sign shall be equipped with automatic day/night dimming software, to reduce the illumination intensity of the sign from one hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise.

(7)

The conversion of a preexisting nonconforming off-site sign to a digital sign or electronically changing message sign, including structural improvements related thereto, is permitted and shall not be considered as a removal, replacement, change, expansion, or restoration of a nonconformity. Any necessary modifications to a preexisting nonconforming off-site sign to a digital sign or electronically changing message sign, including reconstruction of the structure or structural alterations, shall be allowed, as long as all dimensions of the sign display shall stay the same as the current dimensions of the sign display.

(8)

Any digital display installation on existing sign structures as of the date of the adoption of the sign ordinance amendment from which this section derives shall be a minimum of 650 feet from any other digital display facing the same direction.

(9)

The following are the criteria for lighting standards for display signs or electronically changing message signs:

a.

Lighting levels will not increase by more than 0.3 foot-candles (over ambient levels) as measured using a foot candle meter at a preset distance.

b.

Preset distances to measure the foot-candles impact vary with the expected viewing distances of each sign size. Measurement distance criteria follow:

1.

Displays of 300 square feet or less       150 feet

2.

Displays of 378 square feet or less       200 feet

3.

Displays of 672 square feet or less       250 feet

c.

Each digital display or electronically changing message sign shall include a light-sensing device that will adjust the brightness as ambient light conditions change.

(g)

Sign illumination. Illuminated signs shall not directly shine on abutting properties. 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. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.7, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 02-2012/13, § 1, 9-13-12)

(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 (Illustration 1). 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 plexiglas 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 (Illustration 2).

(4)

For sign structures containing multiple modules oriented in the same direction, the modules together are counted as one sign face (Illustration 3).

(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.

SIGN FACE MEASUREMENT ILLUSTRATIONS

(b)

Clearances. Clearances are measured from the grade directly below the sign to the bottom of the sign structure enclosing the sign face (Illustration 4).

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.8, 6-7-07)

(1)

Abandoned or obsolete signs: Any sign which is abandoned or advertises a business no longer conducted on the premises shall be removed within 120 days of the cessation of that business. Sign structures and cabinets may remain if the sign face has been changed to blank copy or advertise the availability of the property for sale/rent/lease. The owner of the property and the business owner (if different), are responsible for the removal of the signs or replacement of the sign faces.

(2)

Dangerous signs: Any sign which is unsafe or structurally unsound shall be removed or repaired by the owner within 15 days of receipt of a certified letter from the Florence County Planning Department. If a sign represents an immediate danger to the safety of the public in the opinion of the planning director, public safety officers will be requested to secure the area around the sign, and if the owner of the sign cannot be located and initiate actions to protect the safety of the public within 24 hours, then the planning director without further notice will order the securing or removal of the sign and/or its structure. If available, Florence County Public Works will be used to remove the sign. If the work must be contracted or performed by public works, all cost associated with this effort shall be the responsibility of the sign owner. The planning department will send a bill for all cost incurred in the removal of the sign to the owner or responsible party via certified, return receipt mail. If the bill has not been paid within 30 days, the planning department will take action to have the cost added to the appropriate tax bill and subsequently to be collected by the treasurer or to have a tax lien placed on the property.

(3)

Dilapidated signs: Any sign which has not been properly maintained, to include painting, lettering, replacement of broken faces or parts, repairing of electrical wiring and/or lighting, shall be removed or repaired within 60 days of receipt of a certified letter requiring such repair from the planning department.

(4)

Illegal signs: Permanent signs installed not in compliance with this ordinance or without a permit or which the permit has been revoked or expired, shall be removed within 30 days of receipt of a certified letter requiring removal from the planning department. Temporary signs which do not meet the conditions of this ordinance shall be removed within 24 hours of receipt of a certified letter from the planning department.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.9, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 25-2009/10, § 2, 2-18-10)

Outdoor advertising structures located on property acquired by a governmental agency for public use, may be relocated on the original parcel of property that was not acquired. The structure may be rebuilt in the style in which it currently exists or in a single steel pole structural design and the sign face square footage must remain the same.

(Ord. No. 33-2006/07, § 5.10, 6-7-07; Ord. No. 10-211/12, § 1, 11-17-11)