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ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL#
Sec. 28-1. - Regulations regarded as a minimum.#
The provisions of these regulations, in their interpretation and application, shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. Whenever the requirements of these regulations differ from the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, or ordinances, the more restrictive, or that imposing the higher standards, shall govern.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 300, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-2. - Exempt signs.#
The following signs shall be exempt from the application of this chapter: (1)
Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.
(2)
Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
(3)
Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected as required by governmental bodies.
(4)
Integral decorations or architectural features of building except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
(5)
Signs not exceeding four square feet in area directing and guiding traffic on private property, but bearing no commercial matter.
(6)
All identification signs and commemorative plaques not more than four square feet in area, memorial cornerstones or tablets providing information on building erection or commemorating a person or event.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 301, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-3. - Construction standards.#
(a)
Compliance with building codes. All signs shall comply with the appropriate provisions of the town's building codes.
(b)
Wiring of electric signs. All electric signs with internal wiring or lighting equipment, and all external lighting equipment used to direct light on signs, shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(c)
Clearance from high voltage power lines. All signs shall maintain horizontal and vertical clearance from all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with the town's electric code, provided that no sign shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
(d)
Wind load capacity. All signs shall be designed to withstand a wind load of 30 pounds per square foot.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 302, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-4. - Unsafe or hazardous signs.#
No sign shall be erected or allowed to remain erected that is structurally unsafe, hazardous, or in the opinion of the building inspector, constitutes a danger to the public safety. If, in the opinion of the building inspector, any sign should be become insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the sign shall, upon notice from the building inspector, immediately remove the sign or secure it in a manner to be approved by the building inspector in conformity with the provisions of these regulations and the applicable building codes, or the building inspector shall have such sign removed at the expense of the owner.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 303, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-5. - Maintenance.#
To ensure that signs are maintained in a safe and aesthetic manner, the following maintenance requirements shall apply to all signs: (1)
No sign shall be allowed to have more than 20 percent of its display area covered with disfigured, chipped, cracked, ripped or peeling paint or poster paper for a period of more than 30 successive days.
(2)
No sign shall be allowed to remain with a bent or broken display area, broken supports, loose appendages or struts, standing more than 15 degrees away from the perpendicular for a period of more than 30 successive days.
(3)
No sign shall be allowed to have weeds, trees, vines, or other wild vegetation growing upon it for a period of more than 30 successive days.
(4)
No indirect or internally illuminated sign shall be allowed to have only partial illumination for a period of more than 30 successive days.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 304, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-6. - Visibility.#
Grass shall be no higher than 12 inches. The area around the sign shall be properly maintained clear of brush, trees and other obstacles so as to make signs readily visible.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 305, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-7. - Finish of reverse sides.#
Reverse sides of signs shall be properly finished with no exposed electrical wires or protrusions and shall be of one color. The reverse sides of signs shall be maintained so that no more than 20 percent of the reverse side shall be covered with disfigured, chipped, cracked, ripped or peeling paint for more than 30 successive days.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 306, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-8. - Sign illumination.#
Illuminated signs shall comply with the following requirements: (1)
Sign illumination shall be placed so as not to cast rays of light directly into nearby residences, sleeping accommodations, or into the eyes of vehicle drivers.
(2)
Signs incorporating steady, unshielded lightbulbs shall utilize bulbs not in excess of 75 watts intensity.
(3)
Temporary signs, as regulated in article III of this chapter shall not be illuminated.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 307, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-9. - Visibility at intersections.#
(a)
Sight areas maintained. Except in the intense development district, no sign or portion thereof shall be placed within the sight areas of any intersection of public streets, private streets, or driveways. In the intense development district, no sign placed in the horizontal sight area may encroach upon the vertical sight area.
(b)
Sight area defined. The vertical dimension of a sight area is defined as the vertical space between 30 inches and ten feet in height above the nearest edge of the right-of-way of a public street or edge of a driveway. The horizontal dimensions of sight areas are defined as:
(1)
At the intersection of two streets, a triangle formed by the street rights-of-way and a straight line connecting them at points 25 feet from the right-of-way intersection.
(2)
At the intersection of a street and a driveway, a triangle formed by the street right-of-way, the driveway's edge, and a straight line connecting them at points 15 feet from the intersection of the right-of-way and the edge of the driveway.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 308, 3-7-1996)
Secs. 28-10—28-36. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE II. - PROHIBITED SIGNS#
Sec. 28-37. - Signs imitating traffic or emergency signals.#
No sign shall be permitted which imitates an official traffic sign or signal, or contains words or symbols displayed in a manner which might mislead or confuses drivers of vehicles, or which displays intermittent lights resembling the color, size, shape or order of lights customarily used in traffic signals or on emergency vehicles or on law enforcement vehicles, except as part of a permitted private or public traffic control sign.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 400, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-38. - Signs confusing, distracting or diverting motorists.#
No sign shall be permitted which in any manner may unduly confuse, distract or divert the attention of drivers of vehicles.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 401, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-39. - Obstructing signs.#
No sign shall be permitted which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder, or opening providing light or air or intended as a means of ingress or egress.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 402, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-40. - Audible signs.#
No sign shall be permitted which emits or utilizes in any manner any sound capable of being detected on a public road or adjoining property by a person of normal hearing.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 403, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-41. - Flashing signs.#
No sign shall be permitted which utilizes strobe-type lights, flashing or blinking lights, or any type of pulsating or moving light, except moving message boards.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 404, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-42. - Moving signs.#
No sign shall be permitted which moves or presents the illusion of movement in any manner, except windblown signs in accordance with the provisions of section 28-70.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 405, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-43. - Signs attached to or painted on selected features.#
No sign shall be permitted which is attached to a utility pole or street sign, or is attached to or painted on tree trunks, rocks, or other natural objects.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 406, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-44. - Portable signs.#
No portable sign shall be permitted, except in accordance with the provisions of section 28-70.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 407, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-45. - Discontinued use signs.#
Signs which advertise a discontinued product, place, activity, person, institution, or business shall be removed by the owner within 30 days from the date of termination.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 408, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-46. - Neon tubing.#
Exposed neon tubing shall not be permitted. Exposed neon tubing existing at the time of enactment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived may continue in use but may not be altered or replaced.
(Ord. No. 2-00, 2-4-2000)
Secs. 28-47—28-65. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE III. - TEMPORARY SIGNS#
Sec. 28-66. - Contractors' signs.#
One sign displaying the names of the builders, contractors, architects, engineers, craftsmen, artisans, and similar information may be erected upon the premises of any work, construction, major repairs or improvements. The display area of such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in the protected residential and restricted development districts and 50 feet in the intense development district. Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the completion of work. No permit is required for such signs.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 500, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-67. - Real estate signs.#
Signs offering real estate for sale, rent or lease are permitted. The display area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet for individual residential lots and 32 square feet for residential property greater than ten acres in size and for commercial and industrial property. Only one sign shall be permitted per individual lot and not more than one sign per road frontage for residential property greater than ten acres, or commercial or industrial sites. Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the conveyance or lease of the property. No permit is required for such signs.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 501, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-68. - Garage or yard sale signs.#
On-site garage or yard sale signs are permitted, provided that the total display area shall not exceed six square feet. Such signs may be erected 24 hours before and shall be removed upon completion of the garage or yard sale. These signs are permitted no more than twice a year for any lot. No permit is required for such signs.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 502, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-69. - Temporary subdivision signs.#
Temporary signs announcing a land subdivision development may be erected on the premises of the land subdivision. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, shall be set back at least 20 feet from all property lines external to the subdivision, and shall be spaced at least 500 feet apart. Such signs shall be removed within 30 days from such time as 75 percent of the lots are conveyed.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 503, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-70. - Special events signs.#
One portable sign or windblown sign shall be permitted on private property in conjunction with special events in accordance with the following provisions: (1)
For the opening or closing of a business, such signs are permitted for a period not to exceed 30 days.
(2)
For a special sale, promotional event, or change of ownership or management, such signs are permitted for a period of not to exceed 15 days in any 12-month period.
(3)
For civic, public, charitable, educational or religious events, such signs are permitted for a period not to exceed 15 days in any 12-month period.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 504, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-71. - Political campaign signs.#
Signs announcing candidates seeking public office or relating to any election or public referendum shall be permitted. Such signs shall be confined to placement on private property. Such signs shall be removed by the candidate within seven days after the election or referendum has been decided. No permit is required for such signs.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 505, 3-7-1996)
Secs. 28-72—28-100. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE IV. - ADVERTISING SIGNS#
Sec. 28-101. - Location.#
Advertising signs shall be permitted subject to the following provisions: (1)
Advertising signs shall be permitted only in the intense development district.
(2)
No advertising signs shall be permitted within a 100-foot radius of the restricted development or protected residential districts or existing residences.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 800, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-102. - Maximum display area.#
(a)
The maximum display area for any advertising sign visible from the interstate and intended to be read from the interstate shall not exceed 672 square feet, plus a ten percent allowance of copy extension.
(b)
The display area of advertising signs visible from any other highway shall not exceed 100 square feet, plus ten percent allowance for copy extensions.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 801, 3-7-1996; Ord. No. 8-96, 8-15-1996)
Sec. 28-103. - Minimum spacing.#
No advertising sign located along an interstate shall be permitted to be located within 2,000 feet of another sign on the same side of the roadway. For non-interstate highways, no other advertising signs shall be permitted to be located within 1,000 feet of another sign on either side of the roadway.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 802, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-104. - Maximum height.#
The bottom edge of advertising signs along interstates shall be permitted to be 50 feet above the elevation of the interstate. The bottom edge of advertising signs along other roadways shall not exceed a height of 25 feet above the elevation of the roadway.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 803, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-105. - Minimum height.#
There is no minimum height requirement for advertising signs located along interstates. The minimum height of the display surface of other advertising signs shall be 12 feet.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 804, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-106. - Minimum setback.#
No part of any advertising sign shall be permitted within ten feet of any property line.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 805, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-107. - Licenses.#
Advertising signs must be licensed annually during the month of January. The cost of the license shall be $0.50 per square foot of display area and is in addition to the cost of any required business license tax.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 806, 3-7-1996)
Secs. 28-108—28-127. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE V. - NONCONFORMING SIGNS#
Sec. 28-128. - Bringing signs into conformity.#
Signs which become nonconforming upon the adoption or amendment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived are declared to be inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter. Such signs will be brought into conformity in accordance with this article.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 900, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-129. - General provisions.#
(a)
Reconstruction. A nonconforming sign shall not be removed and rebuilt as a nonconforming sign.
(b)
Extension or enlargement. A nonconforming sign shall not be extended or enlarged, except in conformity with these regulations.
(c)
Reconstruction after damage. A nonconforming sign shall not be rebuilt, altered or repaired, except in conformity with these regulations after sustaining damage exceeding 50 percent of the replacement cost of the sign at the time of the damage. Business signs located in the protected residential district upon enactment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived may be reconstructed to the dimensions existing before the distinction, provided the business would be left without any signage as a result of such destruction. In no case shall more than one sign be reconstructed.
(d)
Ordinary maintenance. Nothing in this article shall be deemed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of a nonconforming sign or replacement of a broken part of a nonconforming sign.
(e)
Change of copy. Nothing in this article shall be deemed to prevent the ordinary change of copy on an advertising sign or a business changeable copy sign.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 901, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-130. - Amortization.#
All signs, except as noted in subsections (1) and (2) of this section and those signs governed by the State Highway Advertising Act, shall be brought into compliance with this chapter within five years from the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived or any amendment thereto. The following nonconforming signs shall be removed or made to comply with the provisions of this chapter within the stated period of time from the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived or subsequent amendment creating the nonconforming sign: (1)
Temporary signs. All nonconforming temporary signs shall be removed or made conforming within 60 days after the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived. All temporary signs made nonconforming by a subsequent amendment to this chapter or amendment to the zoning map shall be removed or made conforming within 60 days of the date of such amendment.
(2)
Special requirements. Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1) of this section, the following nonconforming signs shall be removed or made nonconforming within 30 days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived or the effective date of a subsequent date of a subsequent amendment to these regulations or amendment to the zoning map:
a.
Any sign violating the provisions of article I of this chapter and found to be a potential hazard to traffic.
b.
Any sign violating the provisions of article II of this chapter.
c.
Any portable sign.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 902, 3-7-1996; Ord. No. 12-96, 12-5-1996)
Sec. 28-131. - Change of business.#
Whenever any nonconforming sign, or part thereof, is altered, replaced, converted, or changed due to a change in business, attraction, service, ownership, or management, the entire sign shall be brought into compliance with these regulations.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 903, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-132. - Substantial repairs, remodeling or expansion.#
Whenever a business is repaired, altered, remodeled, or expanded to an extent exceeding 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the building within any period of 12 consecutive months, all signs, other than freestanding signs, shall be brought into compliance with these regulations.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 904, 3-7-1996)
Secs. 28-133—28-162. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE VI. - ADMINISTRATION#
Sec. 28-163. - Administration.#
The town council designates the administrator to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1000, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-164. - Permits.#
(a)
Permits required. Except as otherwise specifically stated in this chapter, no sign shall be erected, placed, replaced, or altered without the owner or agent of the owner having obtained a zoning permit. Zoning permits are in addition to required building permits and licenses.
(b)
Application for permit. All applications for zoning permits shall be made to the town administrator or his designated representative. The following information shall be submitted with the application:
(1)
Documentation of ownership of property on which the sign is to be erected or written authorization by the owner of the property.
(2)
Name and address of the owner of the sign.
(3)
Site plan showing the precise location of the sign in respect to property and right-of-way liens and any buildings or other improvements on the property.
(4)
Exact size, nature and type of sign to be erected.
(5)
Any other information, specifications, or the like deemed necessary by the town administrator or his representative.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1001, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-165. - Fees.#
The charge for a zoning permit for a permanent sign shall be the same as the fee for a commercial zoning permit, except as noted below. (1)
Special events signs. The charge for a zoning permit for a special event sign shall be $10.00 per sign per use period.
(2)
Failure to obtain permit. If a sign is erected without a permit, and a permit is subsequently obtained, the fee for the permit shall be doubled.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1002, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-166. - Impoundment of signs.#
(a)
If any sign requiring a permit is erected without a permit, or if any sign is erected in violation of these regulations, the town administrator shall have the authority to give the owner thereof written notice of such violation. Said notice shall include a brief statement of the particulars in which these regulations are violated and the manner in which the violation is to be remedied. If the sign has been permitted, notice to the person receiving the permit shall be sufficient. If a sign has not been permitted, and the owner is not known, a highly visible sticker reading "VIOLATION" shall be attached to the sign for a period of ten days. If the sign owner cannot be found, the duty to perform corrections or removal of the sign will be upon the property owner on whose property the sign is located.
(b)
If, within ten days, the owner of the sign fails to contact the town administrator, bring the sign into conformance with these regulations, and obtain a sign permit, the town administrator shall have the authority to have the sign removed and impounded without further notice, and the cost of removal shall constitute a lien against the property on which the sign is located. The town shall not be liable for any damage to the sign or property as a result of such removal.
(c)
The town administrator shall have the authority to remove and impound, without notice to the owners thereof, any signs placed within any street right-of-way, signs attached to trees, rocks or other natural features, and signs attached to telephone or utility poles.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1003, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-167. - Violations and penalties.#
(a)
Any person violating, by act or omission, any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00, 30 days in jail, or both, at the discretion of the court.
(b)
Where such an act or omission is continued in violation of the provisions of this chapter after notice of such violation by the town administrator, each and every day during which such act or omission continues shall be deemed a separate violation.
(c)
The owner or tenant of any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, and any sign company, contractor, architect, surveyor, builder, engineer, agent, or other person who commits, participates in, assists in, or maintains such violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1004, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-168. - Appeals.#
Any person who feels the town administrator has erred in the interpretation or enforcement of these regulations may appeal such decision to the zoning board of adjustment as provided in the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ridgeland."
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1005, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-169. - Variances.#
A variance may be granted from the provisions of these regulations by the zoning board of adjustment as provided in the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ridgeland."
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1006, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-170. - Amendments.#
This chapter may be amended by the town council in accordance with the procedures established by the South Carolina Code of Laws.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1007, 3-7-1996)
Sec. 28-171. - Separability.#
Should any article, section, clause or provision of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the chapter as a whole or any other article, section, clause or provision of this chapter not declared to be unconstitutional or invalid shall not be affected.
(Ord. No. 02-96, § 1008, 3-7-1996)