ORD 2025-17 Halo Illuminated Signage DTMU1 & DTMU2 Adopted
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-17
AMENDING ARTICLE 9, SIGNS, AND APPENDIX A, DEFINATIONS, RELATED TO
HALO ILLUMINATION OF THE NORTH AUGUSTA DEVELOPMENT CODE, CHAPTER
18 OF THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF ORDINANCES
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2023, by Ordinance 2023-32, the North Augusta City
Council adopted the North Augusta Development Code which is consistent with the City’s
Comprehensive Plan and which incorporates all City zoning and land development regulations;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.3.3.2 Text Amendments in Article 5, Approval
Procedures, of the North Augusta Development Code, any person, property owner, board,
commission, department or the City Council may apply for a change in zoning ordinance text; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) requested that the Planning Commission
review the restrictions for halo illuminated signage in the DTMU1 and DTMU2 zoning districts
after approving a variance application for halo illuminated signage in the DTMU2 zoning district
during their regularly scheduled May 6, 2025; and
WHEREAS, during the May 21, 2025 meeting of the North Augusta Planning
Commission, the Commission reviewed the BZA request and reviewed information provided by
staff; and
WHEREAS, at their July 15, 2025 meeting the Planning Commission reviewed
information provided by AAA Sign Company regarding halo illuminated signage and information
from Finuf Sign Company at their August 20, 2025 meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, at their August 20, 2025 meeting, requested that
staff move forward with drafting a text amendment for the Development Code to define halo
illuminated signage and allow halo illuminated signage in the DTMU1 and DTMU2 zoning
districts and present it for a public hearing and recommendation at their next meeting; and
WHEREAS, the North Augusta Planning Commission, following a September 17, 2025,
public hearing, reviewed and considered a request to amend Appendix A, Definitions, to define
halo illumination as “Halo signs are a form of internal sign illumination in which neon tubing,
LED, or similar lights are mounted within the sign or individual letter to illuminate the mounting
surface (rear), causing a halo of light around the sign or individual letter. Lighting is not allowed
to project toward the front of the sign and must not be below 4,000 k or exceed 6,000 k” and amend
Article 9, Section 9.6.3.2.b to Signs shall not be internally illuminated except by halo illumination
with the following conditions:
1. The internal illumination will be white or soft white with a temperature of not less than
4,000 k or more than 6,000 k; and
2. The signage is not allowed to change colors or temperatures to give the appearance of
changing
3. Signs must be installed 1 to 2 inches from the building façade to allow for proper halo
projection
4. Plastic faces or highly reflective surfaces are prohibited
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council have reviewed the request as well as the report
from the Planning Commission and have determined that the change to the text of the Development
Code is appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED
AND BY THE AUTHORITY THEREOF, THAT:
I. The North Augusta Development Code, Appendix A, Definitions is amended to include
the definition of halo illumination which shall be:
Halo signs are a form of internal sign illumination in which neon tubing, LED, or
similar lights are mounted within the sign or individual letter to illuminate the
mounting surface (rear), causing a halo of light around the sign or individual letter.
Lighting is not allowed to project toward the front of the sign and must not be below
4,000 k or exceed 6,000 k.
II. Article 9 of The City of North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances, Providing
for New Zoning and Land Development Regulations for the City of North Augusta,
South Carolina, is hereby amended and shall read as described in the following section.
The section of the Code affected by the proposed amendment is identified by the
section number.
A. The North Augusta Development Code Section 9.6.3.2.b is amended to read:
Signs shall not be internally illuminated except by halo illumination with the
following conditions:
1. The internal illumination will be white or soft white with a temperature
of not less than 4,000 k or more than 6,000 k; and
2. The signage is not allowed to change colors or temperatures to give the
appearance of changing; and
3. Signs must be installed 1 to 2 inches from the building façade to allow
for proper halo projection; and
4. Plastic faces or highly reflective surfaces are prohibited.
B. Any other needed formatting will be edited to reflect new page numbers, titles or
item numbering associated with the text changes outlined herein.