In addition to the requirements of § 162.03-11, Sign Permit, and all other applicable building codes, all signs shall comply with the following standards:
(A) Sign allotment. Different land uses are allotted a designated amount of signage based on the standards in this section. Signage may consist of wall signs, freestanding signs, directory signs, and temporary signs, provided the amount of signage does not exceed the allowable allotment
(B) Sound structural condition. All signs shall be maintained in sound structural condition. No sign shall be allowed to deteriorate to a condition in which it requires repairs or renovations in an amount that exceeds 50% of its current replacement cost. Signs that deteriorate to such a condition are in violation of this ZDO and, shall be either removed or replaced. If a sign is replaced, it shall comply with the standards in this section at the time of replacement.
(C) Sign face area calculation.
(1) General. The sign face area shall be the surface of the sign.
(2) Size of sign face area. In the case of freestanding signs, the sign face area consists of the entire surface area of the sign.
(3) Supporting structure not counted. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall not be counted as part of sign face area unless such structure or bracing is made a part of the sign's message.
(4) Collocation. Individual uses on adjoining lands may place their individual freestanding signage on a single sign support structure provided the combined sign face area does not exceed the amount of sign face area permitted if the freestanding signs would have been constructed separately. Sign support structures shall comply with the height limits in Table 166.10, Specifications for Signs Requiring Permits, regardless of the number of collocated signage.
(D) Sign height.
(1) Sign height shall be measured from the base of the sign at an established grade to the highest point of the sign support structure, or sign face, whichever is higher. For the purposes of this subsection, ESTABLISHED GRADE shall mean the newly created grade after construction, not including any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases where the established grade is below the grade of the street to which the sign is oriented, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the established grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the crown of the adjacent street.
(2) In no instance shall a sign's height exceed 30 feet.
(E) Wall signs. Signs on walls of buildings (including signs attached flat against the wall, painted wall signs, and projecting signals) shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The total area of signs on the exterior front surface of a building shall not exceed 20% of the front surface of the building.
(2) The total area of signs of side or rear surface of a building shall not exceed 25% of the exterior side or rear surface of the building respectively.
(3) The combined sign area on front, side, and rear surface of a building shall not exceed 25% of the exterior side or rear surface of the building respectively.
(4) Wall signs attached flat against a wall may not extend more than 24 inches from the wall. A projecting sign may not extend above the roof line.
(F) Freestanding signs.
(1) Freestanding signs shall have an open space of three feet between the lower edge of the sign and the ground level, 50% of which space may be filled in with a platform and decorative lattice work of light or wooden or metal construction.
(G) Distance from wall. The ends of all signs shall be at least five feet distant from any wall or fence of any obstruction that would prevent a clear passage around the ends.
(H) Distance to lot line. Signs in the RSF and RTF districts shall be located a minimum of five feet from any lot line.
(I) Visibility. All signs shall conform to both the sight distance and the sight triangle standards (See § 167.01-04(C)(5), Sight Distance Triangle), and no sign shall be erected so it obstructs vision or sight distances at driveway entrances and exits.
(J) Sign safety. Signs shall not be placed where they pose a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
(K) Construction standards. All signs shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the structural and safety requirements of the Folly Beach Building Code.
(L) Responsibility. All signs erected, used, or maintained shall be the responsibility of the sign owner who shall hold the city harmless from all damage arising and resulting from the construction, use, and maintenance of such signs.
(Ord. 05-10, passed 3-23-10; Am. Ord. 04-18, passed 9-25-18)