Rock Hill, SC Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance § 8.10.5.3(A)(2)
- Where allowed
- Freestanding signs, non-residential districts
- Area cap (typical)
- 50% of sign area
- Area cap (event venues)
- 75% of sign area
- Message change rate
- No more than every 5 minutes
- Brightness cap
- 5,000 nits day / 500 nits night
Summary
Rock Hill allows electronic message boards only on freestanding signs in non-residential districts, capped at 50% of the sign face for typical businesses or 75% for event venues, with messages that cannot change more than once every five minutes and no scrolling or animation.
2. Electronic Message Boards: Freestanding signs in the non-residential zoning districts are allowed to have an electronic message board (EMB), provided that the following standards are met: The percentage of sign area that can be used for an EMB will be limited to 50% of freestanding, project, or directory signs; and 75% of signs for event venues such as theatres, auditoriums, stadiums, convention centers, and banquet halls. The message must change no more frequently than every five minutes, and both the message itself and the transition to a new message must include no scrolling, animation, or other movement. All EMBs must have ambient light monitors to automatically adjust the sign's brightness level so as not to exceed 5,000 nits during daylight hours and 500 nits from dusk to dawn.
Full Breakdown
3(A)(2) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Hill permits freestanding signs in non-residential zoning districts to include an electronic message board, or EMB, subject to specific limits. The percentage of sign area usable for an EMB is capped at 50% of freestanding, project, or directory signs, rising to 75% for signs at event venues such as theatres, auditoriums, stadiums, convention centers and banquet halls. The message itself must change no more frequently than every five minutes, and both the message and the transition to a new message must show no scrolling, animation or other movement.
Every EMB must carry ambient light monitors that automatically adjust brightness so the display never exceeds 5,000 nits during daylight hours or 500 nits from dusk to dawn. 3 is unlawful. 3(D), which requires lighting to be aimed, located, shielded and maintained to prevent beams from being directed off-site, particularly at the main-traveled way of the street, in a way that could cause glare or impair a driver's vision.
Violations & Fines
The Planning & Development Department reviews EMB sign permits for compliance with the 50%/75% area caps, the five-minute change interval and the brightness limits before issuing a sign permit. An EMB installed without a permit, or one found scrolling, animating, changing faster than every five minutes, or exceeding the nit caps, is a prohibited sign under § 8.10.7(B) and subject to a correction order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are digital electronic billboards allowed in Rock Hill?
How often can a Rock Hill electronic sign change its message?
How bright can an electronic message board be in Rock Hill at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Hill
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