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.
S.C. Code § 57-25-155