Appendix 1003. General provisions.

It shall be illegal for a sign to be placed in Horry County except as provided in this article.

(a)

Traffic hazards and sign illumination:

1.

No flood lights shall be utilized as a part of a sign illumination system which are not hooded or shielded so that the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property nor shall any sign otherwise reflect or emit a glaring light so as to impair driver vision.

2.

No sign illumination system shall contain or utilize any beacon, spot, search or stroboscopic light or reflector which is visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property, nor shall such lights be operated outside, under any circumstances, except by authorized public agencies.

3.

No light bulbs in excess of thirty (30) watts will be allowed to be utilized as a part of the external sign face itself.

4.

No sign shall be animated except for ten (10) percent on signs in the Highway Commercial (HC) District and twenty (20) percent on signs in the Amusement Commercial (AC) District.

5.

No sign shall obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from a driveway, street or alley.

6.

No sign shall be permitted which may be confused with an official traffic sign, signal, or device or any other official sign or which uses the words, "stop," "warning," "danger," "caution" or similar words implying the existence of danger or need for stopping or maneuvering.

(b)

Design standards:

1.

All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and designed to meet all applicable requirements of the adopted Standard Building Code and the National Electric Code.

2.

All projecting signs at the intersections of building corners shall intersect at right angles to the building front.

3.

No wall sign may extend above parapet walls.

4.

No freestanding sign may overhang a building.

5.

No freestanding sign may be located in a required parking space.

6.

No wall sign may extend above the eave of a building with a pitched roof, except if the roof is a mansard type roof in which case the sign may be attached flat against, but not extend above, said roof.

7.

Except as otherwise provided, all signs shall be constructed to withstand the wind pressure as designated in the adopted Standard Building Code.

8.

Except as otherwise provided, all signs shall be permanently anchored or affixed and constructed as required in the adopted Standard Building Code.

9.

Signs in disrepair and unsafe signs:

a.

All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and perpetually maintained in safe condition, free from deterioration, defective or missing parts or peeling or faded paint and able to withstand the required wind pressure. Any sign not in compliance with this provision is hereby declared to be a nuisance.

b.

If a sign is deemed unsafe by the Zoning Administrator or the Building Official, notification shall be made to the sign owner and/or property owner in writing that the unsafe conditions must be corrected within thirty (30) days or action shall be initiated to have the sign removed at the property owner's expense.

c.

In the event that a sign is damaged in excess of fifty (50) percent of its value or original structural configuration, the sign may only be repaired or replaced in conformity with this article. This excludes sign faces that are not an integral part of the structure.

d.

Except as otherwise provided, no existing sign which fails to meet the standards of this article shall be enlarged or replaced

(Ord. No. 52-99, § 1, 5-18-99)