(A) Application. Application for a permit shall be filed with the Plan Commission and shall be accompanied by information as may be required by the Plan Commission to assure compliance with the laws and regulations of the town, including:
(1) Name and address of the property owner of the premises on which the sign is located or is to be located;
(2) Name and address of the owner of the sign;
(3) Clear and legible drawings with description showing the location of the sign which is the subject of the permit; and
(4) All signs on the same parcel or owned by the same business must be noted.
(B) Permit fees. The permit fee as specified by the official fee schedule shall be paid to the Clerk- Treasurer. If any sign is hereafter erected, placed, installed or otherwise established on any property before obtaining a permit as required herein, the fees specified shall be doubled. Payment of such double fee shall not relieve any person from compliance with other provisions of this code and penalties prescribed herein.
(C) Effect of sign permit issuance. A sign permit issued under the provisions of this subchapter shall not be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain an unlawful sign, nor shall it be deemed as a defense in an action to remove an unlawful sign.
(D) Nullification. A sign permit shall become null and void if work has not been started within 12 months of the date of the permit or completed within 18 months of the date of the permit.
(E) Permit exceptions. The following shall not be considered as creating a sign and therefore shall not be required to have sign permit unless other specified.
(1) Changeable copy. The changing of advertising copy or message on an approved sign such as a theater marquee and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for use of replaceable copy.
(2) Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure unless a structural change is involved, or a change in copy is involved.
(3) Exempt signs. Exempt signs as described in GS-01(A)(6).
(Ord. 2002-05, passed 12-30-2002, § 14.6)