§ 158.172 ADMINISTRATION.
   (A)   Administration.
      (1)   Town of South Congaree permits. Except as otherwise specifically stated in this subchapter, no sign shall be erected, placed, replaced or altered without the owner or agent of the owner having obtained a sign permit.
      (2)   State of South Carolina permits. Businesses and advertising signs on federal highways require permits from the State of South Carolina. A copy of this permit must be furnished to the town’s Building Department before the sign can be erected.
      (3)   Application for permit.
         (a)   All applications for sign permits shall be made to the Zoning Official or his or her representative.
         (b)   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 lines and any buildings or other improvements on the property;
            4.   Exact size, nature and type of sign to be erected; and
            5.   Any other information, specifications, or the like deemed necessary by the Building Official.
      (4)   Expiration of approval. If a building permit is not obtained within one (1) year of the sign plans being approved, the approval will expire.
      (5)   Expiration of permit. Any permit issued for the erection of a sign shall become invalid unless the work authorized by it shall have been started within six (6) months of its issuance and completed within 12 months of its issuance.
   (B)   Amendments. This subchapter may be amended by the Town Council of the Town of South Congaree in accordance with the procedures established by Title 6 of the Code of Laws of 1976.
   (C)   Appeals. Any person who feels the Zoning Official has erred in the interpretation or enforcement of these regulations may appeal such decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided in this chapter.
   (D)   Variances. A variance may be granted from the provisions of these regulations by the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided in this chapter.
   (E)   Failure to obtain permit. If a sign is erected without a permit, and a permit is subsequently obtained, the fee for the permit and business license shall be doubled.
   (F)   Impoundment of signs.
      (1)   If any sign requiring a permit is erected without a permit, or if any sign is erected in violation of these regulations, the Zoning Official or dually authorized representative shall have the authority to give the owner thereof written notice of such violation. The notice shall include a brief statement of the particulars 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 (10) 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.
      (2)   If within ten (10) days the owner of the sign fails to contact the Zoning Official, bring the sign into conformance with these regulations and obtain a sign permit, the Building Official 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.
      (3)   The Zoning Official 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 and utility poles.
   (G)   Violations and penalties.
      (1)   Any person violating, by act or omission, any provision of this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, 30 days in jail, or both, at the discretion of the court.
      (2)   Where such an act or omission is continued in violation of the provisions of this subchapter after notice of the violation by the Zoning Official, each and every day during which such act or omission continues shall be deemed a separate violation.
      (3)   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 violations may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided.
   (H)   Fees. In order to defray some of the administrative costs associated with processing permit applications and inspecting signs, the following fees shall apply.
      (1)   Regular fees. Calculated as prescribed by the Building Codes ordinance of the Town of South Congaree.
      (2)   Temporary sign. Twenty dollars per sign per use period.
      (3)   Reinspection fee. Twenty-five dollars.
(1985 Code, § 9-131) (Am. Ord. 2019-11, passed 12-10-2019; Am. Ord. 20-22, passed 10-20-2020)