(A) Intent. Except as expressly provided in §§ 156.213(A), 156.214(A) and 156.215(A), no sign shall be erected, enlarged, expanded, altered, relocated, or maintained unless a sign permit shall have first been issued in accordance with the provisions of this section. Routine sign maintenance, or changing of parts designed to be changed shall not, standing alone, be considered an alteration of the sign requiring the issuance of a sign permit.
(B) Authority. The Building Commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures and standards set forth in this section, grant sign permits authorizing the construction and maintenance of signs subject to the regulations and standards contained in this subchapter.
(C) Procedure.
(1) Application. An application for a sign permit shall be filed by the owner of, or any person having a contractual interest in, the lot on which the sign is proposed to be located on a form provided by the Building Commissioner and shall require the applicant to provide the following information. The sign permit application shall be filed with the Building Commissioner, signed by the applicant, and shall contain or have attached the following information at a minimum:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant, owner, or owner’s representative, and the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign;
(b) A site plan, drawn to scale, depicting the location of the building, structure, and lot upon which the proposed sign is to be attached or erected;
(c) Photographs or drawings depicting the proposed sign and its relationship to the building to which it is to be mounted or the surrounding area;
(d) Three drawings of the proposed sign depicting the specifications and method of construction and attachment or erection, as the case may be, to the building or ground;
(e) One accurate color sketch or rendering depicting the proposed colors proposed to be used on the sign and the existing surrounding materials;
(f) If required by the Building Commissioner, a master signage plan depicting all existing and proposed signs on the building or the lot or both;
(g) Written consent of the owner, or the authority to act on behalf of the owner, of the building, structure, and lot on which the sign is to be erected;
(h) If required by the Building Commissioner, a copy of an electrical permit;
(i) If required by the Building Commissioner, a copy of an insurance policy or bond;
(k) A survey indicating the lot lines and a drawing that shows the mounting technique and the underground details of the sign installation; and
(l) Any other information the Comptroller shall require to show full compliance with this subchapter and all other laws and ordinances of the village.
(2) Fees. Sign permit fees shall be in the amounts established from time to time in the Building Code.
(3) Action by the Building Commissioner. Within 60 days following the proper filing of a completed application, the Building Commissioner shall either grant the sign permit or, by written notice stating the reasons therefor, grant the application with modifications or conditions, deny the application, or, where applicable, refer the application to the Plan Commission for its review. The failure of the Building Commissioner to act within 60 days, or such further time to which the applicant shall agree, shall be deemed to be a decision granting the sign permit.
(D) Standards for sign permits. No sign permit shall be granted pursuant to this section unless the applicant shall establish, at a minimum, the following conditions:
(1) Visual compatibility. The proposed sign shall be visually compatible with the building or lot on which the sign is proposed to be located and surrounding buildings and structures in terms of height, size, proportion, scale, materials, texture, colors, and shapes.
(2) Quality of design and construction. The proposed sign shall be constructed and maintained with a high quality design and materials and a good relationship with the design and character of the neighborhood.
(3) Appropriateness to site. The proposed sign shall be appropriate to its location in terms of design, landscaping, and orientation on the lot, and will not create a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, detract from the value or enjoyment of neighboring properties, or unduly increase the number of signs in the area.
(4) Compliance with this subchapter. The proposed sign shall comply with all applicable provisions of this subchapter.
(E) Conditions on sign permits. As part of a sign permit, the Building Commissioner may impose any conditions and limitations concerning the construction and maintenance of the sign as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure satisfaction of the standards set forth in this subchapter and the purposes and objectives of this subchapter and to minimize any adverse effects upon other property in the vicinity. These conditions shall be expressly set forth in the sign permit. Violation of any condition or limitation shall be a violation of this subchapter and shall constitute grounds for revocation of the sign permit.
(F) Expiration of permits.
(1) Permanent signs. Sign permits for any sign other than a temporary sign shall remain in effect until such time that the sign face, sign copy, or structural elements are changed, modified, or altered so as to deviate from the terms or conditions of the sign permit. Any such change, modification, or alteration shall require the issuance of a new sign permit.
(2) Temporary signs. Sign permits for temporary signs shall remain in effect for a period not to exceed 30 days. Temporary signs shall be removed within seven days after the expiration of the sign permit. Within any one-year period, only four new sign permits for a temporary sign shall be permitted to be issued for any lot.
(G) Revocation of permit. Any sign permit issued pursuant to this section may be revoked or suspended by the Building Commissioner if the holder of the sign permit violates the terms of the sign permit or any other provision of this subchapter.
(H) Effect of issuance of a sign permit. The issuance of a sign permit shall not authorize construction or maintenance of any sign, but shall merely authorize the preparation, filing, and processing of applications for any other permits or approvals that may be required by the codes and ordinances of the village, including, without limitation, a building permit.
(I) Final inspection. Within 14 days following the issuance of a sign permit, the owner shall schedule with the Building Commissioner a final inspection of the sign. If the owner fails to schedule a final inspection, or if Building Commissioner determines at the final inspection that the sign fails to comply with this subchapter, the Comptroller shall have the authority to revoke the sign permit and require that the sign be removed.
(Ord. 9-4, passed 2-25-09; Am. Ord. 19-11, passed 3-20-19)
Penalty, see § 156.999