Sullivans Island City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
SIGN REGULATIONS
Sec. 21-126. General provisions.
A. The regulations of this Article shall apply only to signs visible from any point on a street right-of-way, the beach or marsh.
B. Signs are considered to be structures and the regulations herein shall apply and govern in all zoning districts, except where specified. No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with this Article.
C. The following regulations shall apply to all signs on Sullivan’s Island:
(1) A permit shall be required for the erection, alteration, relocation, or reconstruction of permitted signs unless otherwise noted, and shall be issued by the Town;
(2) Signs shall be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and not permitted to become dilapidated;
(3) Only signs as accessory uses to the principal uses shall be permitted except where herein provided; and,
(4) Nonconforming signs damaged more than fifty percent (50%) of their reasonable replacement cost shall not be repaired or replaced except in conformity with this Article.
Sec. 21-127. Prohibited signs.
A. Sign imitating warning signals. No sign or structure shall display flashing or intermittent lights of any type, nor shall any colored lights be utilized for sign purposes that resemble lights utilized on emergency vehicles, including police, fire, EMS, towing, and rescue vehicles; nor shall any sign use the words “Stop,” “Danger,” or any other to confuse an automobile or other vehicle driver.
B. Signs within public rights-of-way. Except as herein provided, no sign whatsoever, whether temporary or permanent, except traffic signs and signals and information signs erected by or authorized by a governmental or other public agency, shall be permitted within or over public rights-of-way.
C. Certain attached and painted signs. Signs painted on or attached to trees, fence posts, and utility poles or signs painted on or attached to rocks or other natural features, or painted on the sides or roofs of buildings are prohibited.
D. Fluttering ribbons and banners. Fluttering ribbons and banners and similar devices are prohibited, except the flags of governments and their agencies.
E. Roof signs. No sign structure may be erected on the roof or project past the roofiine of any building.
F. Internally illuminated signs. No sign shall be erected that is internally lit except by the use of neon.
Sec. 21-128. Sign illumination.
Internal illuminated signs are prohibited (with the exception of non-flashing neon). Illumination devices shall be so placed and so shielded that rays shall not be cast illumination onto any residential district, or in the eyes of an automobile or vehicle driver.
Sec. 21-129. Height limitation.
No sign shall exceed the height of the Principal Building.
Sec. 21-130. Signs - no permit required.
A permit is not required for the following types of signs in any zoning district:
A. Traffic, directional, warning, or information signs authorized by any public agency, or signs for special events to be held within Town limits and with the approval of the Zoning Administrator;
B. Official notices issued by any court, public agency, or officer;
C. Real estate “for sale,” “for rent,” “lease,” “sold” or “under construction” signs:
(1) Only one (1) per street frontage;
(2) Not exceeding six (6) square feet in area;
(3) Non-illuminated;
(4) Located not less than ten (10) feet out street right-of-way line, unless attached to the wall of an existing building; and,
(5) “Sold” signs shall be removed fourteen (14) days after the sale, rent, or lease of the property or completion of the construction.
D. Home occupation sign:
(1) Only one (1) per lot;
(2) Not exceeding one (1) square foot;
(3) Non-illuminated;
(4) Mounted against a wall of the Principal Building; and,
(5) At a location of a permitted home occupation.
E. Political election signs:
(1) No limit on number of signs;
(2) Not exceeding four (4) square feet per sign;
(3) Non-illuminated;
(4) Located not less than ten (10) feet out of the street right-of-way line; and,
(5) Shall be limited to two (2) weeks prior to an election and removed within one (1) week after the election.
Sec. 21-131. Signs - permitted in CC-Community Commercial District.
A. Type of signs permitted. Wall, pole or ground mounted signs, or signs painted directly on the building exterior surface are permitted.
B. Permit required. A sign permit issued by the Town of Sullivan’s Island shall be required for all signs erected in the CC-Districts, except for signs specifically exempt from permitting, in accordance with Sec. 21-130.
C. Sign area. The area of a sign face computed by means of the smallest area that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the structure on which it is placed, but not including any supporting bracing or pole.
D. Size limit. Limited to a total of thirty-two (32) square feet, includes all sign area on lot (including signage in window areas visible to the exterior of the building); provided however, the total allowed square feet of signage shall increase four (4) square feet for each business in excess of four businesses in any one building.
E. Height limited. No sign, unless attached to the building facade shall exceed twelve (12) feet.
F. Number limited. Only one (1) pole or monument sign, permanently attached to the ground is allowed per lot.
G. Location. The sign shall be located not less than ten (10) feet out street right-of-way line, unless attached to the wall of an existing building.
H. Illumination. Signs shall be lit in such a manner so as not to become a nuisance to adjacent residential lots.
Sec. 21-132. Signs - permitted in all other districts.
A. Signs on residential lots. Signs for which permits are not required, as described in Sec. 21-130.
B. Signs on lots for religious uses, or public buildings.
(1) Only one (1) sign per street front.
(2) Height limited to six (6) feet unless attached to exterior of Principal Building.
(3) Size of sign limited to twenty four (24) square feet unless attached to Principal Building, then sign limited to thirty two (32) square feet for wall signs.
(4) Signs shall be lit in such a manner so as not to become a nuisance to adjacent residential lots.