Can that campaign sign be there? Here’s what’s SC law says, or doesn’t

South Carolina has no statewide law regulating roadside campaign signs — a proposed bill has been held up in the House judiciary Committee since 2023.

But many cities and counties across the state have ordinances that control where political signs can be located. Such rules must be included in a community’s temporary sign law since the Supreme Court found in 2015 it was a violation of the right to free speech to single out campaign signs.

Columbia’s ordinance, as with many other cities, prohibits campaign signs in a road right of way.

Hope Hasty, Columbia’s zoning administrator, said in a message to campaigns, “While we certainly understand that signage increases voter turnout and educates individuals about candidates, the signage is often placed illegally along streets or on utility poles. The illegal placement creates a safety hazard.”

If they are on a sign or right of way, they will be removed and thrown away.

Signs must be entirely on private property, she said.

Richland County’s ordinance allows political signs beginning 60 days before an election and for seven days afterward. The signs cannot be illuminated, exceed 32 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.

They cannot be attached to trees, utility poles, or publicly owned property.

South Carolina does have a law prohibiting vandalizing signs or removing them without the permission of the candidate. That 2005 law does not preclude a local government from removing signs that violate their ordinance.

If found guilty of tampering with signs, which is a misdemeanor, a person could be fined no more than $100 or 30 days in jail. Or both.

The proposal that was sent to the House Judiciary committee calls for signs to be placed no more than 30 days before an election and removed within five days after.

Some cities already regulate how long signs can be in place, whether they can be lit and their size.

Forest Acres, for example, says nonpermanent political signs can not be more than 3 square feet in area and cannot be posted more than 45 days before an election and must be removed within five days after the election.

Charleston has had a sign ordinance since 1996 prohibiting such signs on streets.