Building Codes and Planning

How do I know if I need a permit?
Permits are required for all permanent signs, temporary signs and portable signs. Political signs and real estate signs do not require
permits.

What are the permit fees for signs?
There is a $25 application fee per sign for permanent and portable signs. There is a $10 application fee per sign for temporary signs except for non profits who are except for the temporary sign fee. Garage/yard sales have a fee of $10 as well.

How long is the review process for signs?
Twenty-four hours if the sign will not be located in the Central Business District or Gateway Overlay Districts. Signs located in these districts will have to go before the Board of Architectural Review which meets the third Thursday of each month.

Where may I place my sign?
Signs must be located at least 10 feet from any property line and 10 feet from any street right of way.

Where can I obtain a copy of the sign regulations?
An online version can be found at www.cityofpickenssc.com under the Zoning Ordinance Section V.

Who enforces the sign ordinance?
The sign ordinance is enforced by the City of Pickens with the assistance of the City of Pickens Police Department.

Permanent signs include freestanding signs (pole and monument style), wall signs, certain window signs, awnings, and marquees. The total amount of signage allowed is based on either the linear feet of the front property line or the front building wall and varies by zoning district.

Freestanding Signs

Freestanding signs are classified as either pole or monument type signs. Only one freestanding sign is permitted per street frontage with a maximum height of 35 feet unless otherwise stated per district.

Pole Signs

Pole signs are prohibited within the city limits of Pickens. The existing pole signs are considered non conforming and fall under the Grandfather clause.

Monument Signs

Monument signs are freestanding with a solid base and the entire area of sign is uses in area calculation.

Wall Signs

Wall signs are situated flat or nearly flat against the exterior wall. There is no limit to the number of wall signs as long as it within the square footage for the property. Please contact City Hall for further information on awnings, marquees and window signage.

Main St. and Durham Mill Rd. on the West side, Jewel St. and E. Jones Ave on the East side, Town Creek on the North , Hampton Ave and W. Lee St. along the Hwy 8 corridor and Pendleton St and Monroe St along the Hwy 178 corridor.
Signs are limited to five feet in height and twenty feet in square footage
Signs located in the Central Business District should be coordinated with building facade and in proportion to the building so that it does not dominate the appearance.
Window signs should cover no more than 20% of the total window area and may be painted on the glass or hung inside the window.
Projecting signs may be considered. Small projecting signs should be located near or just above the door while large projecting signs should be mounted higher and centered on the façade or positioned at the corner.
Sign materials should be compatible with that of the building façade and should use colors that are compatible with those of the building front.
Internally illuminated signs, signs with lights inside the sign itself, should be prohibited.
Flashing signs, signs with flashing or reflective disks, signs with flashing lights or lights of changing degree of intensity or color or signs with electrically scrolled messages (except government signs and signs which give time and temperature information) are prohibited.
Reader Boards with removable letters will be allowed in the Gateway Overlay District. The reader board can take up no more than fifty (50%) of the entire square footage of the sign.

All properties that have frontage on Highways 183, 178, and 8 that are not located in the City Center Overlay District are located in the Gateway Overlay District.
Signs not attached to buildings should be ground monument signs that are no more than thirty-six (36) square feet in area and ten (10) feet in height. All free standing signs must be have at least twenty-five (25) percent brick or stone or a similar material. All ground mounted signs shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet behind the street right-of way. No ground-mounted sign greater than five (5) square feet in area shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any adjacent lot line. A fifteen (15) foot side-yard setback shall be required if the side lot line abuts a residential district.
An arm sign may be substituted for a ground mounted sign but shall meet all height and area requirements as provided.
Internally illuminated signs, signs with lights inside the sign itself, will be allowed in the Gateway Overlay. However, only one light color will be allowed

Signs in place at the time additions to the sign ordinance were passed can be allowed to continue as “non-conforming” signs if they do not meet all requirements of the new regulations. New regulations will apply to all new or modified signs.
Non-conforming signs must be brought into compliance if the sign is modified or replaced or if the business ceases operation and is replaced by another business or use.

Political Signs: May be displayed 30 days before and 7 days after relevant election Size is restricted to 16 square feet for two sided signs and 8 square feet pr side May not be placed on public property or public right of way
Other Temporary Signs: Must obtain a 30 day permit for temporary signs A 30 day time period must elapse before a temporary sign can be placed again Portable and temporary signs may be permitted for the announcement of temporary uses such as grand-opening, fairs, revivals, sporting events & any non-profit event or function. Such message shall be allowed for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days and shall be removed within five working days after the event.

A period of thirty (30) days must elapse between the removal of the temporary/portable sign and the installation of another temporary/portable sign on the same site.