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Outdoor Advertising

South Carolina Receives Approval from FHWA to implement its Outdoor Advertising Nonconforming Sign Upgrade "Pilot" Project

Outdoor Advertising Office Completes Final Phase of E-commerce in its Permitting Program

SCDOT's Outdoor Advertising customers now have the ability to make electronic payments by credit card. Customers can now log on to the departments web site and enter their credit card information on an html form at the secured site. All credit information is saved using an encryption process using VeriSign software. The credit card information can be stored temporarily to accommodate the current transaction or stored for future transactions. All credit card payments must be authorized before the electronic billboard application is processed. The credit card information is sent to VitalChek operations. VitalChek will either authorize or reject the credit card. If the request is authorized, the customer can continue to process the electronic payment and either email, fax, or mail in the hardcopy permit documentation. Technology in the area of outdoor advertising has grown and continues to grow. SCDOT has taken the necessary steps to provide its customers with processes that are secure, saves time and money. Customers may contact the Outdoor Advertising Office for additional log in information.

Outdoor Advertising Office Received the National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies (NAHBA) 2011 Award of Excellence for Streamlining and Integration in Outdoor Advertising Control.

The Outdoor Advertising office received a national award for better management of data and permitting processes. All processes can now be accomplished on the web, which reduces cost and waiting periods for continuing and new customers.

From left are: Joyce Musick - Missouri DOT (NAHBA Chair), Keith C. Melvin - Director of Outdoor Advertising , Carolyn B. Lindsay - Midlands Region Outdoor Advertising Coordinator, and Joyce R. Gardner - Piedmont Region Outdoor Advertising Coordinator. Not pictured: Randy Ponton - Pee Dee Region Outdoor Advertising Coordinator, Dorothy R. Erwin - Low Country Region Outdoor Advertising Coordinator, and Linda L. Johnson - Administrative Specialist.

South Carolina Receives Approval from FHWA to implement its Outdoor Advertising Nonconforming Sign Upgrade "Pilot" Project

The Federal Highway Administration (Washington Office of Real Estate Services) has given SCDOT the approval to move forward with implementing its pilot project to upgrade certain non-conforming signs and remove others. The 3 year pilot project will allow the upgrading of certain nonconforming signs along Interstate 26 and 95 in exchange for the permanent removal of others (on a ratio of 2 - 4 removal per 1 upgrade). The pilot is in reference to 23 CFR 750.707(d)(5) which pertains to maintenance and continuance of nonconforming signs.

Inquiries regarding the pilot project can be directed to:
Keith C. Melvin, CPM
Director of Outdoor Advertising
SC Department of Transportation
PO Box 191, 955 Park Street
Columbia, SC 29202-0191
Phone: (803) 737-1339

The Pilot Project can viewed in a PDF format below in the Related Documents Section.

Many outdoor advertisements require a permit from SCDOT to be displayed. You can view the status of your permit requests via our online system.

To view your Outdoor Advertising applications and permits, click on the Applications and Permits link to access the login page.

You can access our Outdoor Advertising Applications and Permits through the Related Links Section below.
Sign owners can obtain access to the system by contacting the Outdoor Advertising Office in Columbia.
At a minimum, you will need a web browser that supports 128 bit encryption.

ODA Contact Information

In Person:
Outdoor Advertising Office
955 Park Street, Room 125
Columbia, SC 29202-0191

Mail:
South Carolina Department of Transportation
Attn: Outdoor Advertising Office
P.O. Box 191
Columbia, SC 29202

Phone:
(803) 737-1339
(803) 737-6383
(803) 737-2022 (Fax)

Email:
ODA Help

Please contact the Regional Outdoor Advertising Office for specific questions regarding your area:

Headquarters DOT Office (Columbia) - (803) 737-1339

Midlands Region (Columbia) - (803) 737-1130
(Cherokee, York, Chester, Lancaster, Chesterfield, Kershaw, Aiken, Lexington, Richland, Lee, Union, Fairfield, and Sumter)

Pee Dee Region (Florence) - (843) 661-4710
(Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Horry, Williamsburg, and Georgetown)

Piedmont Region (Greenville) - (864) 241-1010
(Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Laurens, Abbeville, McCormick, Newberry, Greenwood, Edgefield, and Saluda)

Low Country Region (Orangeburg) - (803) 531-6850
(Barnwell, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Allendale, Bamberg, Hampton, Colleton, Dorchester, Berkeley, Jasper, Beaufort, and Charleston)

Related Documents:

Outdoor Advertising Nonconforming Sign Upgrade "Pilot" Program (PDF 11 Mm)
Outdoor Advertising Regulations (PDF 72.2 Kb)
The following portions of the regulation pertain to Outdoor Advertising: Title 63-341 through Title 63-356
The following portion of the regulation pertains to Junkyards: Title 63-358: Control of Junkyards
Federal Agreement (PDF 69.5 Kb)
ODA Vegetation Maintenance Policy - Section 6 (PDF 2.79 Mb)
ODA Vegetation Window Agreement - Appendix 4 (PDF 2.79 Mb)
SCDOT Vegetation Management Guidelines (PDF 2.79 Mb)
(Revised July 3, 2012)

Related Links:

Outdoor Advertising Guidelines
Outdoor Advertising Checklist
Outdoor Advertising Forms
ODA Fee Schedule
Outdoor Advertising Law
Junkyard Laws
Street Finder
Junkyard Regulations
National Alliance of Highway Beautification Agencies