Hundreds of signs removed as Anderson Co. enforces ordinance

ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) – Hundreds of signs have been removed from the sides of Anderson County roads as officials remind residents about what is allowed.

In recent weeks, Anderson County Building & Codes Department said 500 signs were collected from the side of the road by enforcement officers.

“What we’re in the process of trying to do right now is not only pick them up and dispose of them, but also notify the business owners that they can’t put them out there without a permit,” said Matthew Stipe, Anderson County Code Enforcement Officer.

Stipe said you can apply for a permit which includes a list of what is and isn’t allowed.

“Basically, they’re not allowed in the right of way. That’s where we see a majority of these signs. Probably 99% of them are in the right of ways. They can’t be attached to telephone poles. They can’t be attached to street signs or street lights and that type of thing,” Stipe explained. “Even if the signs are approved, they still can’t put them in the right away and attach them to those places.”

Stipe said signs must be placed at least 15 feet away from the road to avoid becoming a public safety hazard for drivers.

“At the end of the day, with the signs out there and the mower hits it, it turns into a big mess. You’ve got different crews that are out cleaning up. You’ve also got vehicles that need to pull over on the shoulder from time to time,” said Stipe.

Political, real estate and “for sale” signs are just a few signs that do not require a permit but would still need to follow right of way guidelines.

If you want to apply for a permit, help is available at the Development Standards Office inside the Anderson County Annex building on East River Street.

“If this turns into a re-occurring thing where they’re still putting the signs out, eventually we would have to cite those people,” said Stipe. “It’s something we don’t want to have to do so we’re just hoping that they would follow the ordinance and go through the process the correct way.”

Upon approval, a decal will be given to stick on the sign showing your permit is valid.

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