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Signs & Lighting

Sign Standards

The purpose of the Sign Standards for the Town of Hilton Head Island is to protect the public welfare and island-wide property values by preserving the aesthetic qualities of the unique natural environment that distinguishes the Town. Section 16-5-1201 of the LMO.

  • Sign design shall be reviewed by the Design Review Board. Materials, colors, and shapes of proposed signs shall be compatible with the related buildings.
  • Any existing sign that does not have a permit issued by the Town of Hilton Head Island is deemed to be an illegal sign.
  • Any proposed alterations or relocation of a sign requires a new permit.

Prohibited signs (edited list)

Section 16-5-1204 of the LMO.
  • Any sign attached to trees or utility poles.
  • Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
  • Any sign towed behind a vehicle, watercraft or aircraft.
  • Any banners or pennants.
  • Internally illuminated signs, neon signs or signs which contain a visible light source.
  • Inflatable signs or balloons of any type.
  • Political signs.
  • Any sign which is portable or not securely attached to a building or to the ground.

Impoundment of Signs

Any prohibited sign is subject to impoundment without notice to the owner. Section 16-8-107 of the LMO.

The owner of an impounded sign or sign structure may recover the sign upon the payment of $50.00 for each sign plus the costs of removal. In the event it is not claimed within ten days from the date of impoundment, the Town Administrator has the authority to dispose of such sign or sign structure without compensation to the owner.

Nonconforming Signs

Any sign for which a valid permit has been issued or that is exempt, but that does not conform to the provisions of the Land Management Ordinance is deemed to be nonconforming. Section 16-7-402 of the LMO.

All nonconforming signs must be properly maintained in good condition. Painting, repair and refinishing of the sign face or sign structure is permitted. The appearance of the sign shall remain as approved when the permit was issued.

Any modification that does not meet the requirements of the Land Management Ordinance shall render the prior permit void and shall result in the sign being classified as an illegal sign.

Site Lighting Standards

Site Lighting Design Requirements

All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to illuminate any portion of a site shall meet the following requirements:

  • Fixture (luminaire). The light source shall be completely concealed within an opaque housing and shall not be visible from any street right of way.
  • Light Source (lamp). Only incandescent, florescent, metal halide, or color corrected high-pressure sodium may be used. The same type must be used for the same or similar types of lighting on any one site or Planned Unit Development.
  • Mounting. Fixtures must be mounted in such a manner that its cone of light does not cross any property line of the site.
  • Illumination Levels. All site lighting shall be designed so that the level of illumination as measured in foot candles (fc) at any one point meets the standards in the table below. Minimum and maximum levels are as measured at any one point. Average level is not to exceed value calculated using only the area of the site intended to receive illumination. Facilities not listed in the table shall not be illuminated.

Commercial Parking Lot Lighting

All commercial parking lots shall be required to provide lighting meeting the above requirements during night-time hours of operation.

Canopy Area Lighting

All development that incorporates a canopy area over fuel sales, automated bank machines, or similar installations shall be required to provide lighting for the canopy area meeting the above requirements..

For more information on Site Lighting Standards please review Section 16-5-1301 of the LMO.

Site Lighting Plan Requirements

Site lighting plans shall include:

  • Location and mounting information for each light;
  • Illumination calculations showing light levels in foot candles at points located on a 10-foot on center grid;
  • A fixture schedule listing fixture design, type of lamp, and wattage of each fixture; and
  • Manufacturer's photometric data for each type of light fixture.

For more information on Site Lighting Standards please review Section 16-3-305 of the LMO.

Street Lighting

Lighting, if provided, shall comply with the standards recommended in the IES Lighting Handbook (1981 or as revised), published by the Illuminating Society of North America, or other standards approved by the Administrator. All such lighting shall be hooded or directed, to the extent practical, to shield the light source from direct view from adjacent properties and streets.