Bluffton and Beaufort County outline political sign rules for election season

With campaign season starting, the Town of Bluffton and Beaufort County are reminding residents and candidates of the rules for placing political signs. Regulations differ between the town limits and unincorporated areas, and enforcement officers may remove signs placed improperly.

In Bluffton, political signs do not require a permit if they meet requirements in the Unified Development Ordinance. Signs must be on private property with the owner’s permission, unless placed in one of three public locations approved by the town manager: the landscaped corners at Highway 46 and May River Road, the median on Buckwalter Place Boulevard beyond the Publix entryway sign, and the northwest corner of May River Road and Buckwalter Parkway.

Signs in Bluffton may not go up earlier than 60 days before an election, must be removed within seven days afterward, and cannot exceed six square feet in area or five feet in height. Signs for runoff candidates may remain until the final election.

In unincorporated Beaufort County, political signs require a $5 permit, which allows a candidate to post an unlimited number. Signs along major corridors must be at least 10 feet from the highway right-of-way and can be displayed at any time during an election year. All must be removed within 48 hours after an election.

Officials note that the only precise way to determine a public right-of-way is through a property survey, but a general rule is that property on the house side of a sidewalk, bike path, or three steps beyond a ditch or utility line is outside the right-of-way.

Improperly placed signs may be confiscated by town or county code enforcement. For retrieval, contact the Bluffton Police Department at 843-706-4550 or Beaufort County at 843-255-2066.

The Town of Bluffton offers an “Am I in Bluffton?” map on its website to help determine jurisdiction.

For more information, vit www.townofbluffton.sc.gov