(A) Applicability.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in § 155.403(D) Exemptions, no sign may be erected, located, or altered in any manner until a Sign Permit, and Building Permit if necessary, has been secured from the Planning Department. The change of copy on a legally constructed sign shall not require a Sign Permit.
(2) Any sign which does not comply with the appropriate regulations in § 155.403 “Signs” and cannot produce a valid Sign Permit within one week of request shall be considered in violation and/or non-conforming, depending on the specifics of the sign.
(B) Application Requirements. An application for Sign Permit shall be submitted in accordance with § 155.702(C).
(C) Action by Planning Director. Following completion of the technical review period, the Planning Director shall review and take final action on the Sign Permit application, provided that all requirements of this chapter, and all other applicable electrical and North Carolina Building Code requirements are met.
(D) Action by Town Council. Following completion of the technical review period, the Town Council shall review and take final action on any Alternative Sign Plan application or billboard sign application provided that all requirements of this chapter, Chapter § 155.403
“Signs”, and all other applicable electrical and North Carolina Building Code requirements are met.
(E) Inspection of Permanent Signs.
(1) The applicant shall request an inspection by the appropriate inspector after installation of the signs.
(2) The Sign Permit shall be null and void if sign installation is not completed within six months or the signs are not in conformance with the approved application.
(3) Valid Sign Permits may be assigned to a successor as holder of a business license for the same premises.
(F) Temporary Sign Permit. A Temporary Sign Permit shall be issued in accordance with the criteria in § 155.403 “Signs”. An Alternative Sign Plan shall not be required for applications for Temporary Sign Permits.
(G) Revocation of a Sign Permit. The Sign Permit shall be revoked if a sign is found to be in violation of the requirements of this chapter, or other applicable electrical and North Carolina State Building Code requirements.
(H) Appeal. Final action on a Sign Permit may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment in accordance with § 155.717 “Administrative Appeals”.
(Ord. 2005-11-02, passed 11-21-05; Am. Ord. 2013-09-06, passed 9-3-13; Am. Ord. 2014-06-10, passed 6-16-14; Am. Ord. 2017-01-01, passed 1-3-17; Am. Ord. 2021-02-02, passed 2-15-21)