(a)

In order to ensure light, air, and open space, to reduce hazards at intersections, and to protect property values of the entire community, the regulations for signs, billboards, and other advertising structures are as set out herein.

(b)

In any zoning district, the following general regulations shall apply as well as the regulations in Appendix H, "Signs," of the International Building Code.

(Code 1983, § 22-7; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII; Ord. No. 2001.216)

No sign shall be erected or maintained where by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any authorized control sign, signal, or device. In addition, no sign or structure shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with vision clearance along any highway, street, or road, or at any intersection of any street, highway, or railroad track.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.1; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 1)

No illuminated sign shall be permitted within 50 feet of property in any residential district unless the illumination of such sign is so designed that it does not shine or reflect light onto such property. All advertising signs or structures having flashing or intermittent lights which project toward neighboring dwellings shall not be less than 300 feet from such dwelling.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.2; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 2)

In all use districts except the central business district, no sign or other obstruction to vision between the heights of two feet and ten feet shall be permitted within 25 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of two streets or railroads, or of a street intersection with a railroad right-of-way line.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.3; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 3)

All permanent advertising signs or structures shall be designed, constructed and maintained to withstand a wind pressure of safe and acceptable standards as regulated by Appendix H, "Signs," of the International Building Code.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.4; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 4; Ord. No. 2001.216)

No advertising structure shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, or any window, door, or opening used as a means of ingress and/or egress for firefighting purposes, or which will prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof; no roof sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape or be so placed as to interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation. Construction and erecting of signs shall be in accordance with "Southern Standard Building Code."

(Code 1983, § 22-7.5; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 5)

No billboard or ground sign shall be erected to exceed 20 feet above the ground level or 50 feet in length.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.6; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 6)

Billboards and other similar outdoor advertising structures shall be erected or placed in conformity with the side, front, and rear yard requirements of the district in which located. However, no billboard shall be erected or placed closer than 100 feet from any residential district.

(1)

Maximum size of billboard shall be 250 square feet or less.

(2)

Intersections: Distance requirement of 500 feet from intersections.

(3)

1,000 feet spacing same side of street (not radius).

(4)

700 feet spacing opposite side of street.

(5)

Minimum setback that meets SCDOT Requirements.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.7; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 7; Ord. No. 2000.195)

A building wall may be used only for a business identification sign, provided that the total sign area does not exceed 40 percent of the total wall area.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.8; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 8)

The city's sign ordinance currently governs the placement of political signage, monuments, banners, etc., but does not currently govern the placement of temporary signs. The city has received numerous requests from community groups and citizens requesting the option to promote temporary events through signage. To this end, a temporary sign ordinance would address:

(1)

Civic, charitable, educational, community recreational, and non-profit organizations.

(2)

A free permit would be issued if the request is approved.

(3)

An organization may advertise its event up to three weeks prior to the event.

(4)

An organization must remove the signage within two days following the event or face penalty.

(5)

Temporary signage in R-1, low density residential districts would be prohibited.

(6)

The temporary ordinance would not address political signage, section 17-273 of the Lake City Code of Ordinances.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.9; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 9; Ord. No. 1992.057; Ord. No. 2019.498, 4-9-2019)

Signs erected and overhanging any sidewalk must be placed at least nine feet above the sidewalk and may extend over the sidewalk a distance equal to two-thirds the width of the sidewalk but in no case exceeding six feet.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.10; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 10)

All advertising structures, together with any supports, guys, braces, and anchors, will be kept in repair and in a safe state of preservation. All signs erected to serve a temporary purpose shall be removed within 30 days from the date the purpose ceases to exist.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.11; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 11)

Professional signs and signs for home occupations shall not exceed two square feet in area.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.12; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 12)

(a)

Residential districts. Only temporary advertising signs (i.e., for sale signs, etc.) and business identification signs for home occupations will be permitted.

(b)

Neighborhood business districts. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 100 square feet.

(c)

Central business district. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 100 square feet and signs on top of a building no more than 50 square feet.

(d)

Highway business districts. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 500 square feet.

(e)

Light industrial districts. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 700 square feet.

(f)

Suburban industrial districts. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 900 square feet.

(g)

Agricultural districts. Business identification and outdoor advertising signs are permitted, provided that the sign area does not exceed 900 square feet.

(Code 1983, § 22-7.13; Ord. of 3-21-1971, art. VII, § 13)