reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-40. Commercial advertisement benches; application by regional transit authority or public transit operator to install.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, upon proper application the Department of Transportation may issue appropriate permits to a regional transit authority or public transit operator to install and maintain benches upon which commercial advertisements are placed provided that each bench will be located at one of the applicant's bus stops, the proposed location for the bench is within the right-of-way of a public road, and the applicant otherwise meets all relevant federal statutory and regulatory requirements. The department may charge a permit fee of twenty-five dollars for each permit application. All permits issued pursuant to this section expire on July 1, 2010.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 347, Section 40, eff June 16, 2008.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-110. Short title.

This article may be cited as the "Highway Advertising Control Act".
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.11; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-130. Declaration of purpose.

The General Assembly finds that outdoor advertising is a legitimate form of commercial use of the private property adjacent to the public highways. The General Assembly also finds that outdoor advertising is an integral part of the business and marketing function and is an established segment of the national economy which serves to promote and protect investments in commerce and industry and is, therefore, a business which must be allowed to exist and operate where other business and commercial activities are conducted and that a reasonable use of property for outdoor advertising to the traveling public is desirable. In order, however, to prevent unreasonable distraction of operators of motor vehicles, prevent confusion with regard to traffic lights, signs, or signals, prevent interference with the effectiveness of traffic regulations, promote the prosperity, economic well-being, and general welfare of the State, mitigate the adverse secondary effects of sexually-oriented businesses and limit harm to minors, promote the safety, convenience, and enjoyment of travel on and protection of the public investment in highways within this State, and preserve and enhance the natural scenic beauty or aesthetic features of the highways and adjacent areas, the General Assembly declares it to be the policy of this State that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to the rights-of-way of the interstate and federal-aid primary systems within this State must be regulated in accordance with the terms of this article which provide for standards consistent with customary use in this State and finds that all outdoor advertising devices which do not conform to the requirements of this article are illegal. It is the intention of the General Assembly in this article to provide a statutory basis for regulation of outdoor advertising consistent with the public policy relating to areas adjacent to interstate and federal-aid primary systems declared by Congress in Title 23, United States Code, "Highways".
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530; 2006 Act No. 235, Section 3.C, eff February 22, 2006.
Editor's Note
2006 Act No. 235, Section 6, provides as follows:
"This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. Nothing in this act preempts or otherwise alters, modifies, applies to, or effects relocation or removal of any off-premises outdoor advertising signs pursuant to an ordinance or regulation enacted by a local governing body prior to April 14, 2005. It is the intent of the General Assembly that nothing in this act may be construed to require the payment of monetary compensation for any off-premises outdoor advertising signs relocated or removed pursuant to an ordinance enacted before the effective date of this act unless the ordinance otherwise requires the payment of monetary compensation."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-145. Outdoor advertising signs for adult or sexually-oriented business; location restriction; continuation as nonconforming use; penalties.

(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 57-25-140 or another provision of law, an off-premises, outdoor advertising sign for an adult or sexually-oriented business may not be located within one mile of a public highway.
(B) Outdoor advertising signs in existence at the time of the effective date of this section, which do not conform to the requirements of this section, may continue as a nonconforming use, but must conform within three years of the effective date of this section.
(C) An owner of an adult or sexually-oriented business who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than one year. Each week a violation of this section continues constitutes a separate offense.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 235, Section 3.A, eff February 22, 2006.
Editor's Note
2006 Act No. 235, Section 6, provides as follows:
"This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. Nothing in this act preempts or otherwise alters, modifies, applies to, or effects relocation or removal of any off-premises outdoor advertising signs pursuant to an ordinance or regulation enacted by a local governing body prior to April 14, 2005. It is the intent of the General Assembly that nothing in this act may be construed to require the payment of monetary compensation for any off-premises outdoor advertising signs relocated or removed pursuant to an ordinance enacted before the effective date of this act unless the ordinance otherwise requires the payment of monetary compensation."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-155. Issuance of permits for existing signs; department not authorized to require removal of conforming signs.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Transportation must issue permits for existing signs and outdoor advertising signs on highways in the interstate system or federal-aid primary system in this State that are nonconforming only because a permit was not obtained prior to erection of the sign. The department may not require removal of conforming signs and outdoor advertising signs as a prerequisite to issuing a permit for such signs that would otherwise qualify for a permit.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 473, Section 3; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-160. Erection and maintenance of illegal advertising device.

A person who erects or maintains an advertising device in violation of Section 57-25-140 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each violation.
In addition, a person who violates the provisions of this chapter must be assessed by the department a civil penalty of one hundred dollars a day until the violation ends. A civil penalty must be paid to the department and allocated to the administrative costs of the outdoor advertising program. All monies in excess of the administrative costs must be used in the acquisition of nonconforming signs and may be carried over from year to year. No permit may be issued to a person who is in violation of the provisions of this chapter or who has not paid an assessed civil penalty.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.7; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-170. Information signs on highway right-of-way.

The commission may provide within the right-of-way for areas at appropriate distances from interchanges on the interstate system and controlled access roads on the federal-aid primary system on which signs, displays, and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained under standards and regulations authorized to be adopted and promulgated by the commission. The standards and regulations may provide for cooperative agreements between the Department of Transportation and private interests for the use and display of names for FOOD, LODGING, and GAS information signs on the highway right-of-way.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.4; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-185. Department to promulgate regulations.

The Department of Transportation shall promulgate regulations consistent with Section 131(o), Title 23, United States Code, or such other provisions of Title 23 as may be appropriate, to allow signs, displays, and devices on federally-aided primary routes outside of nonurban areas which (1) provide directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public and (2) are such that removal would work an economic hardship in such areas. Pursuant to Section 131(o), Title 23, United States Code, the department shall submit these regulations to the United States Secretary of Transportation for approval.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 473, Section 6; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-195. Department to confer with Federal Highway Administration; submission of plan to Administration; consultation with interested parties.

In order to comply with Section 131, Title 23, United States Code and regulations promulgated under that section and to prevent interruption of the state's federally-aided highway funding, the Department of Transportation shall confer with the Federal Highway Administration as to how best to structure a nonconforming sign removal program.
The department shall submit to the Federal Highway Administration in a timely fashion its process, program, and timetable for removal of nonconforming signs under Section 131, Title 23, United States Code and regulations promulgated under that section.
In developing and implementing this removal program the department shall consult with interested parties and affected entities including, but not limited to, other state and local agencies, sign owners, environmental groups, and the business community.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 473, Section 7; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-200. Agreements with other authorities as to control of advertising in areas adjacent to interstate and primary highway systems.

(A) Within the requirements of this article the commission may enter into agreements with other governmental authorities relating to the control of outdoor advertising in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems, including the establishment of information centers and safety rest areas and take action in the name of the State to comply with the terms of the agreements.
(B) If an agreement is not achieved, the Attorney General of this State promptly shall initiate proceedings under the provisions of Section 131(1) of Title 23 of the United States Code with respect to hearings, stay of penalties, and judicial review in order to resolve the disagreement by judicial determination. He also shall initiate the proceedings if there is a determination to withhold funds from this State for its alleged failure to comply with any provision of Section 131 in order to obtain a judicial determination of whether this article provides effective control of outdoor advertising in conformity with the section and, if not, the extent of modifications necessary to bring it into compliance.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.9; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-210. Expenditures for removal dependent upon availability of federal funds and agreement with Secretary of Transportation.

The commission is not required to expend funds for the removal of outdoor advertising under this article until federal funds are made available to the State for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this article and the commission has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation as authorized by Section 57-25-200 and as provided by the Highway Beautification Act of 1965.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.10; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-220. Rule of construction.

Nothing in this article abrogates or affects the provisions of a lawful ordinance, regulation, or resolution which is more restrictive than the provisions of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-591.8; 1971 (57) 2061; 1990 Act No. 519, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-410. Definitions.

As used in this article:
(a) "The highway" means that recently constructed portion, portion under construction or portion to be constructed, of State Highway No. 11, which has been designated as the Andrew Pickens Scenic Parkway.
(b) "Sign" or "outdoor advertising sign" means any outdoor sign, display, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of the advertising or informative contents of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of the highway.
(c) "Unzoned commercial or industrial area" means the lands occupied by the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of at least one distinct commercial or industrial activity, and those lands lying along the highway for a distance of seven hundred and fifty feet immediately adjacent to the outermost or end activity. All measurements shall be from the outer edges of the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of the activities, not from the property line of the activities, and shall be measured parallel to the edge of the highway pavement. An unzoned area, as defined herein, shall not include land predominantly used for residential properties, and land zoned by the State or local law, regulations or ordinance.
(d) "Commercial or industrial activities" means those established activities generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities within the area affected by this article, except that none of the following shall be considered commercial or industrial activities:
(1) Outdoor advertising structures.
(2) Agricultural, forestry, ranching, grazing, farming, wayside produce stands and related activities.
(3) Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence.
(4) Railroad tracks and minor sidings.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595; 1969 (56) 187.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-420. Information required on signs.

On or before January 1, 1970 all advertising signs, displays, or devices, or the structures on which they are displayed, shall have stated thereon the name and address of the owner thereof and the month, day and year when the sign was erected, and the name and address of the owner of the property upon which such sign, display or device is located.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.8; 1969 (56) 187.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-440. Permits for erection and maintenance of signs.

The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized to issue permits for the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs coming within the exceptions contained in subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) and (a)(4) of Section 57-25-430, consistent with the safety and welfare of the traveling public, and as may be necessary to carry out the policy declared in this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.2; 1969 (56) 187; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1532.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-450. Erection and maintenance of illegal advertising device.

Whoever erects or maintains an advertising device in violation of Section 57-25-430 shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.6; 1969 (56) 187.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-460. Advertising devices violating article declared public nuisances; removal; right of entry for purpose of removal.

(1) Any advertising device which violates the provisions of this article is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and the department shall give sixty days notice, by certified or registered mail, to the owner of the advertising device and to the owner of the property on which such device is located to remove the device. Provided, however, that any sign, display or device lawfully in existence along the highway on September 1, 1965 which is not in conformity with the provisions contained herein shall not be required to be removed until July 1, 1971, except that the Department of Transportation may jointly agree with the owner of any sign or the property owner for the earlier removal of such sign. Any other sign, display or device lawfully erected subsequent to September 1, 1965 and prior to May 6, 1969, which does not conform with the requirements of this article may not be required to be removed until the end of the fifth year after the erection thereof, or after it becomes nonconforming, except that the Department of Transportation may jointly agree with the owner of any sign, or the property owner, for the earlier removal of such sign.
(2) Employees or agents of the Department are hereby authorized to go upon the property upon which a prohibited or nonconforming device is located, after expiration of the sixty day period, for the purpose of removing the advertising device. The period of such notice shall be computed from the date of mailing. No notice, however, shall be required to be given to the owner of an advertising sign, display, or device whose name is not stated thereon or on the structure on which it is displayed as required in Section 57-25-420.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.4; 1969 (56) 187; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1533.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-470. Compensation for removal of signs.

(a) The Department of Highways and Public Transportation may acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation, and shall pay just compensation upon the removal of the following outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices:
(1) those lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965;
(2) those lawfully erected on or after May 6, 1969.
(b) Compensation may be paid only for the following:
(1) the taking from the owner of a sign, display, or device of all right, title, leasehold, and interest in the sign, display, or device; and
(2) the taking from the owner of the real property on which the sign, display, or device is located, of the right to erect and maintain signs, displays, and devices.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.5; 1969 (56) 187; 1987 Act No. 173 Section 42.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-480. Information signs within right-of-way.

The Department of Transportation may provide within the right-of-way for areas at appropriate distances on which signs, displays and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained under standards and regulations hereby authorized to be adopted by the department. Such standards and regulations may provide for cooperative agreements between the Department of Transportation and private interests for the use and display of brand names for FOOD, LODGING and GAS information signs on the highway right-of-way.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.3; 1969 (56) 187; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1534.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-490. Agencies shall cooperate with Department of Transportation.

In order to carry out the provisions of this article and to make the highway a scenic highway, the State Forestry Commission, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and all other state agencies or governmental entities shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.9; 1969 (56) 187; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1535.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-500. Rule of construction.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulations or resolution, which are more restrictive than the provisions of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.7; 1969 (56) 187.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-610. Definitions.

As used in this article:
(a) "The Highway" means the John C. Calhoun Memorial Highway.
(b) "Sign" or "outdoor advertising sign" means any outdoor sign, display, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of the advertising or informative contents of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of the highway.
(c) "Unzoned commercial or industrial area" means the lands occupied by the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of at least one distinct commercial or industrial activity, and those lands lying along the highway for a distance of seven hundred and fifty feet immediately adjacent to the outermost or end activity. All measurements shall be from the outer edges of the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of the activities, not from the property line of the activities, and shall be measured parallel to the edge of the highway pavement. An unzoned area, as defined herein, shall not include land predominantly used for residential properties, and land zoned by the State or local law, regulations or ordinance.
(d) "Commercial or industrial activities" means those established activities generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities within the area affected by this article, except that none of the following shall be considered commercial or industrial activities:
(1) Outdoor advertising structures.
(2) Agricultural, forestry, ranching, grazing, farming, wayside produce stands and related activities.
(3) Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence.
(4) Railroad tracks and minor sidings.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.22; 1969 (56) 362.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-620. Portion of United States Highway No. 123 designated as John C. Calhoun Memorial Highway.

That portion of United States Highway No. 123 between the corporate limits of the city of Easley and the town of Clemson is hereby designated as the John C. Calhoun Memorial Highway.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.21; 1969 (56) 362.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-630. Information required on signs.

On or before January 1, 1970 all advertising signs, displays, or devices, or the structures on which they are displayed, shall have stated thereon the name and address of the owner thereof and the month, day and year when the sign was erected, and the name and address of the owner of the property upon which such sign, display or device is located.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.30; 1969 (56) 362.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-650. Permits for erection and maintenance of signs.

The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized to issue permits for the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs coming within the exception contained in subsections (a) (1), (a) (2), (a) (3) and (a) (4) of Section 57-25-640, consistent with the safety and welfare of the traveling public, and as may be necessary to carry out the policy declared in this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.24; 1969 (56) 362; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1537.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-660. Erection and maintenance of illegal advertising device.

Whoever erects or maintains an advertising device in violation of Section 57-25-640 shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.28; 1969 (56) 362.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-670. Advertising devices violating article declared public nuisances; removal; right of entry for purpose of removal.

(1) Any advertising device which violates the provisions of this article is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and the department shall give sixty days' notice, by certified or registered mail, to the owner of the advertising device and to the owner of the property on which such device is located to remove the device. Provided, however, that any sign, display, or device lawfully in existence along the highway on September 1, 1965, which is not in conformity with the provisions contained herein, shall not be required to be removed until July 1, 1971, except that the Department of Transportation may jointly agree with the owner of any sign or the property owner for the earlier removal of such sign. Any other sign, display, or device lawfully erected subsequent to September 1, 1965, and prior to June 11, 1969, which does not conform with the requirements of this article may not be required to be removed until the end of the fifth year after the erection thereof, or after it becomes nonconforming, except that the Department of Transportation may jointly agree with the owner of any sign, or the property owner, for the earlier removal of such sign.
(2) Employees or agents of the Department are hereby authorized to go upon the property upon which a prohibited or nonconforming device is located, after expiration of the sixty-day period, for the purpose of removing the advertising device. The period of such notice shall be computed from the date of mailing. No notice, however, shall be required to be given to the owner of an advertising sign, display, or device whose name is not stated thereon or on the structure on which it is displayed as required in Section 57-25-630.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.26; 1969 (56) 362; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1538.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-680. Compensation for removal of signs.

(a) The Department of Highways and Public Transportation may acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation, and shall pay just compensation upon the removal of the following outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices:
(1) those lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965;
(2) those lawfully erected on or after June 11, 1969.
(b) Compensation may be paid only for the following:
(1) the taking from the owner of the sign, display, or device of all right, title, leasehold, and interest in the sign, display, or device; and
(2) the taking from the owner of the real property on which the sign, display, or device is located, of the right to erect and maintain signs, displays, and devices.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.27; 1969 (56) 362; 1987 Act No. 173 Section 43.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-690. Information signs within right-of-way.

The Department of Transportation may provide within the right-of-way for areas at appropriate distances on which signs, displays and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained under standards and regulations hereby authorized to be adopted by the Department of Transportation. Such standards and regulations may provide for cooperative agreements between the Department of Transportation and private interests for the use and display of brand names for FOOD, LODGING and GAS information signs on the highway right-of-way.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.25; 1969 (56) 362; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1539.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-700. Markers; agencies shall cooperate with Department of Transportation.

In order to carry out the provisions of this article and to make the highway a scenic highway, the Department of Transportation shall provide for appropriate markers designating the highway as the John C. Calhoun Memorial Highway, and the State Forestry Commission, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and all other state agencies or governmental entities shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.31; 1969 (56) 362; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1540.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-710. Rule of construction.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulations or resolution, which are more restrictive than the provisions of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-595.29; 1969 (56) 362.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-800. Definitions.

As used in this article:
(1) "Agritourism-oriented facility" means a type of location where an agritourism activity, as defined in Section 46-53-10(1), is carried out by an agritourism professional, as defined in Section 46-53-10(2), or another type of agricultural facility recommended by the Department of Agriculture and incorporated into regulations of the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 57-25-830(A).
(2) "Tourism-oriented facility" means a type of facility recommended by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and incorporated into regulations of the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 57-25-830(A).
(3) "Conventional highway" means a highway with at-grade intersections and without control of access.
(4) "Rural" means an area outside the limits of an incorporated municipality having a population of five thousand or more according to the most recent decennial census of the United States Bureau of Census.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 224, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-810. Creation of program to provide directional signs leading to tourism and agritourism facilities; regulations.

In an effort to promote and assist South Carolina facilities that have an interest in educating, sharing, and selling their programs and products to the general public, the Department of Transportation is directed to create and supervise a coordinated, self-funded, statewide program related to providing directional signs along certain of the state's rural conventional highways and noninterstate scenic byways leading to agritourism and tourism-oriented facilities. The statewide program shall be operated according to standards and regulations consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices authorized to be adopted and promulgated by the Department of Transportation. The standards and regulations may provide for the use of official logos developed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Department of Agriculture in compliance with the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The standards and regulations also may provide for cooperative agreements between the department and private interests for the administration of the program and for the use and display of names for tourism and agritourism information signs on the highway right of way.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 224, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
Editor's Note
2012 Act No. 224, Section 2, provides as follows:
"The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism must develop logos to be utilized for the signage authorized by this act. The logos developed may be used by those departments for other promotional purposes associated with tourism and agritourism."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-820. Department of Transportation responsibility for signs; coordination with other departments; criteria for selection of qualified agritourism facilities; approval of applications for signs.

(A) The Department of Transportation shall be responsible for the erection and maintenance of the official signs giving specific information to the traveling public providing directions to agritourism and tourism-oriented facilities. All signs must conform to department rules and regulations regarding the size and placement of the signs and be in compliance with all federal and state regulations.
(B) The Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, as applicable, to allow those departments to promote agritourism and tourism- oriented facilities participating in this directional signage program.
(C) The criteria for selection of qualified agritourism facilities shall be recommended by the Department of Agriculture and incorporated into regulations of the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 57-25-830(A). The criteria for selection of qualified tourism facilities shall be recommended by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and incorporated into regulations of the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 57-25-830(A).
(D) The approval of applications for signs for agritourism and tourism-oriented facilities must be determined by an oversight committee. The oversight committee shall consist of the following members and shall meet at the call of the chairman semiannually to consider applications for signage:
(1) Secretary of the Department of Transportation, or his designee, serving as chairman;
(2) Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or his designee;
(3) Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, or his designee;
(4) President of the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR), or his designee, and a member of SCATR appointed by its president;
(5) President of the South Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition, or his designee, and a member of the SCTTC appointed by its president; and
(6) President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of South Carolina, or his designee, and a member of the Outdoor Advertising Association appointed by its president.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 224, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 25 - Outdoor Advertising › Section 57-25-830. Submission of application; costs, installation, and maintenance of signs.

(A) Qualified facilities which elect to participate in the directional signage program must submit an application to the Department of Transportation on a form to be supplied by the department. Eligibility and approval to participate in the signage program must be determined by written criteria to be set forth by the Department of Transportation in regulation.
(B) Participating facilities are responsible for the cost of the signs and their installation and maintenance.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 224, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-20. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:
(a) The term "junk" means old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, junked, dismantled, or wrecked automobiles, trucks and other motor vehicles, or parts of them, iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material.
(b) The term "automobile graveyard" shall mean any establishment which is maintained or used for storing, buying, or selling wrecked, scrapped, ruined, or dismantled motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.
(c) The term "junkyard" shall mean an establishment which is maintained or used for storing, buying, or selling junk, or an automobile graveyard, and the term shall include garbage dumps, sanitary fills and scrap processors.
(d) The term "scrap processor" shall mean any person, firm or corporation engaged only in the business of buying scrap iron and metals, including, but not limited to, old automobiles, for the specific purpose of processing into raw material for remelting purposes only, and whose principal product is ferrous and nonferrous scrap for shipment to steel mills, foundries, smelters and refineries, and maintaining an established place of business in this State and having facilities and machinery designed for such processing.
(e) "Interstate system" means that portion of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways located within this State, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the Department of Transportation, and approved by the Secretary of Commerce or other appropriate federal official, pursuant to the provisions of Title 23 of the United States Code.
(f) "Federal aid primary system" means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the Department of Transportation, and approved by the Secretary of Commerce or other appropriate federal official, pursuant to the provisions of Title 23 of the United States Code.
(g) "Department" means the Department of Transportation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-583; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1541; 2009 Act No. 26, Section 10, eff June 2, 2009.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-30. Declaration of purpose.

To promote the public safety, health, welfare, convenience and travel enjoyment, to protect the public investment in highways, and to preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of lands bordering public highways, and to promote the conservation of our natural mineral resources by encouraging the recycling of resalable scrap iron and metal, it is hereby declared to be in the public interest to regulate the establishment, operation, and maintenance of junkyards in areas adjacent to interstate and federal aid primary highway systems in the state highway system within this State. The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that junkyards which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter are public nuisances.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-582; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-40. Junkyards prohibited within 1,000 feet of certain highways; exceptions.

No person shall establish, operate, or maintain a junkyard, any portion of which is within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of any interstate or Federal aid primary highway in the State highway system, except the following:
(a) Those which are screened by natural objects, plantings, fences, or other appropriate means so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of the systems, or otherwise removed from sight.
(b) Those located within areas which are zoned for industrial use under authority of law.
(c) Those located within unzoned industrial areas, which areas shall be determined from actual land uses.
(d) Those which are not visible from the main-traveled way of the system.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-584; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 3.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-45. Operating junkyard within proscribed areas without permit; permits.

No person shall establish, operate or maintain a junkyard, any portion of which is within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the interstate or federal aid primary system, without obtaining a permit from the department. No permit shall be issued under the provisions of this section, except for those junkyards which conform to one or more of the exceptions in Section 57-27-40. The department shall charge a fee of twenty-five dollars for the issuance of the permit and the permit shall be renewed annually at no additional fee and shall remain in effect until revoked by the department after attaining an injunction from the court of common pleas to abate the junkyard as a nuisance or upon conviction of a violation under the provisions of Section 57-27-80. No permit shall be required before January 1, 1979.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 530 Section 4.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-50. Screening of nonconforming junkyards; placement of junk over or beyond screening; penalties.

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on March 24, 1966, which is within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of any highway on the interstate or federal aid primary system and any junkyard lawfully in existence along any highway which may be hereafter designated as an interstate or federal aid primary highway and which does not conform to the requirements for exception under Section 57-27-40, shall be screened if feasible by the department at locations on the highway right-of-way or in areas acquired for such purposes outside the right-of-way so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of such highways. After a junkyard has been screened by the department, no junkyard owner or operator shall permit the placement of junk so that it may be seen above or beyond the screen, or otherwise become visible. Junkyard owners or operators violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 57-27-80; provided, however, that no junkyard owner or operator shall be charged under this section unless he has been notified in writing by the department of the alleged violation and allowed thirty days to comply with the requirements of this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-585; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 5.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-55. Maintenance of screening.

After a junkyard has been screened by the department pursuant to Section 57-27-50, the owner or operator of such junkyard shall adequately maintain the screening erected by the department. Maintenance shall be deemed inadequate if the screen installed by the department:
(a) Deteriorates so as to no longer be of the quality or standard as when erected by the department;
(b) Becomes ineffective as a screen, resulting in the junkyard being visible from the main-traveled way of the highway;
(c) Falls into such disrepair as to endanger the health, safety or welfare of the community.
Any owner of operator of a junkyard violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 57-27-80.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 530 Section 6.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-57. Parking motor vehicles adjacent to junk yard.

It is unlawful for a junkyard owner to allow motor vehicles to be parked on a highway adjacent to its property.
HISTORY: 2009 Act No. 26, Section 11, eff June 2, 2009.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-60. Promulgation of regulations.

The department shall have authority to promulgate regulations governing:
(A) To determine unzoned industrial areas for the purposes of this chapter;
(B) The specific procedures for obtaining a permit for junkyards;
(C) The specific requirements governing the location, planting, construction, and maintenance of material used in screening and fencing.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-586; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 8.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-70. Acquisition of lands for relocation, removal, disposal or screening of junkyards.

When the Department of Highways and Public Transportation determines that the topography of the land adjoining the highway does not permit adequate screening of a junkyard or the screening of the junkyard would not be economically feasible, the Department may acquire by gift, purchase, exchange, or condemnation, such interests in lands necessary to secure the relocation, removal, or disposal of the junkyards, and to pay for the costs of relocation, removal, or disposal. When the Department determines that it is in the best interest of the State it may acquire lands, or interests in lands, necessary to provide adequate screening of junkyards. The Department may exercise the power of eminent domain whenever it is necessary, in the judgment of the Department, to acquire lands, or interests therein, by condemnation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-587; 1966 (54) 2130; 1987 Act No. 173 Section 44.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-80. Penalties.

Whoever establishes, operates or maintains a junkyard in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each offense. Each day that the junkyard remains in violation shall be considered a separate offense. In addition, the department may apply to the court of common pleas in the county in which the junkyard is located for an injunction to abate as a nuisance any junkyard which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-588; 1966 (54) 2130; 1978 Act No. 530 Section 9.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 57 - Highways, Bridges and Ferries › Chapter 27 - Junkyard Control › Section 57-27-90. Agreements with United States Secretary of Commerce as to control of junkyards.

The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23 of the United States Code, relating to the control of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and federal aid primary systems, and to take action in the name of the State to comply with the terms of such agreement.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 33-590; 1966 (54) 2130; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1542.