Sign Regulations in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Beaufort County lets freestanding political signs go up on private property anytime during an election year, but Community Development Code Section 5.6.60 requires a county sign permit, a 10-foot setback from major corridor rights-of-way, and removal within 48 hours after the election.
Political Sign Rules in Beaufort County
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.6.60.A.6.a-b
6.Political Signs.a.On private property along major corridors, freestanding political signs must be no closer than ten (10) feet from the highway right-of-way. Major corridors are US 21, US 17, US 278, SC 170, SC 802, SC 280, SC 46, SC 116, and SC 163. Sign placement on other roads may be placed on property lines.b.Political signs may be displayed or erected at any time within an election year....
Digital Billboards
Beaufort County flatly bans new off-premises signs and commercial billboards, and separately prohibits digital displays on any off-premises or billboard sign, so an electronic message board cannot be added even to an existing, legally permitted billboard structure.
Beaufort County Digital Billboard Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.6.50(A)
A. Off-Premises Signs/Commercial Billboard Signs. New off-premises signs/commercial billboard signs are prohibited. Digital displays are prohibited on all off-premises signs/commercial billboard signs.
Window Signs
Beaufort County's Community Development Code caps window signage at 25 percent of a shop front bay and 15 percent of the full shop front, with individual signs limited to 5 feet wide and 36 inches tall, under Section 5.6.180.
Window Sign Size Limits in Beaufort County
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.6.180.A-B
Window signs are professionally painted consisting of individual letters and designs, gold leaf individual letters and designs, applied directly on the inside of a window. ... Sign Area: Per Shop front Bay 25% max. Per Shop front 15% max. Width 5' max. Height 36" max. ... Window signs shall be placed at or above eye level. Window signs shall be applied directly to the inside of the glass. ... W...
Freeway-Facing Signs
New off-premises and commercial billboard signs, the freeway-facing signage most visible along major corridors, are outright prohibited in unincorporated Beaufort County. Digital billboard displays are banned entirely. Existing structures may stay up but only under strict maintenance rules that block any enlargement, relighting or re-erection under the Community Development Code.
Beaufort County Bans New Billboards
Heavy RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 5.6.50.A, B.3
A.Off-Premises Signs/Commercial Billboard Signs. New off-premises signs/commercial billboard signs are prohibited. Digital displays are prohibited on all off-premises signs/commercial billboard signs. ... 3.Extension, enlargement, replacement, rebuilding, adding lights to an un-illuminated sign, changing the height of the sign above ground, or re-erection of the sign are prohibited.
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