(A) No person shall erect, locate, move, alter or replace any sign or cause a sign to be located or maintained, unless all the provisions of this chapter are met.
(B) To ensure compliance with these regulations, a certificate shall be obtained for all signs unless specifically exempted in this chapter.
(C) Applications to erect, place, paint, relocate or alter a sign shall be made to the Building Commissioner or his or her designee by the owner, lessee or developer of the property of his or her authorized representative. The application shall be submitted on forms furnished by the city and may be made either separately or with the application for a permit for a building. The fee shall be $100.
(1) Application Required. An application shall be required for all permanent signs.
(2) Application Not Required. An application is not required for any temporary signs or any permanent sign under three square feet.
(3) Application Requirements. Each application shall present the information required below through the use of photographs and drawings at a scale that clearly shows the details and design of the sign.
(a) The designs and colored layout of each sign proposed, including the total area of all sign and the area, height, character, materials, colors and type of lettering or other symbols of individual signs. Material samples may be requested.
(b) Photographs or drawings of the building for which the signs are proposed.
(c) A dimensional site plan and building elevation showing the exact locations of each sign in relation to the building and property lines. Also included shall be the dimensions of the width of the building or building unit face or faces.
(d) Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachment as may be required by the Ohio Building Code, including the name of the sign contractor or company.
(e) The Building Commissioner shall examine such plans and if it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances of the city, the application shall be referred to the Planning Commission when its approval must be obtained before the certificate is issued.
(f) A written confirmation from the owner/property management company that the proposed sign submitted is approved.
(4) Sign Application Review.
(a) The Planning Commission shall review and act on applications for permanent signs that exceed three square feet, according to the standards set forth in this chapter and the procedures set forth in all other ordinances of the city. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to grant any application which deviates from this chapter but is determined to be reasonable, considering the intent and regulations of this chapter. When approved by the Planning Commission, the application shall be returned to the Building Commissioner, who shall issue the appropriate certificate. The decision of the Planning Commission shall be final. Any appeals shall be filed in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court within 30 days after the decision of the Council.
(b) The Building Commissioner shall review all temporary signs, except as otherwise specifically exempted in this chapter.
(Ord. 107-05, passed 8-22-2005; Ord. 114-09, passed 10-5-2009; Ord. 137-12, passed 9-17-2012; Ord. 15-15, passed 6-15-2015)