County Increases Sign Sizes for Businesses

Businesses in the county can now erect signs up to 101 square feet, after a new amendment unanimously passed final reading during council's regular meeting Monday.

The sign ordinance previously allowed for signs up to 75 square feet, but the county made exceptions. The new amendment should eliminate many of the variances the county has conceded in the past. 

"We had several businesses that came to us over several years requesting a bigger size," County Administrator Jason Ward said. He added that 101 square feet was a "pretty common size" sign among counties. 

Examples of signs needing a variance due to size under the old ordinance are the Reid's Grocery store outside of St. George, near I-95, and the new AAA sign near Oakbrook schools near Summerville.

Prior to unanimously approving third reading of the amendment to the sign ordinance, council opened the floor for public comment on the decision. No one spoke during the time allotted. 

The item was originally introduced in early November, but was put back into the Planning, Building and Development Committee for further review. The committee unanimously agreed to recommend expanding the sign size. 

"It creates a level playing field," Committee Chairman Bill Hearn said in November. "We need to have a sign standard that is reasonable."