A. Reviews And Permits Required:
1. Sign Plan Review: It is unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, paint or change the use of any "sign" as defined in this chapter without first applying for a sign plan review and receiving approval from the City. No sign plan review shall be approved unless it is found to comply with all appropriate provisions of this chapter or a special exemption has been obtained. Signs listed as exempt in this chapter shall not be subject to these regulations.
2. Exception: Routine maintenance, repair and repainting which does not enlarge or alter a sign, may be performed on a previously approved sign without submitting a sign plan. A replacement of exact size, dimension and shape of any sign face shall be exempted provided that it meets all requirements of this chapter.
3. Building Permit: Upon approval of the sign plan review the owner, owner's representative, or contractor must obtain a building permit prior to the installation of any sign. Exempt signs as listed in this chapter shall not require a building permit.
4. Electrical Permits: Any sign or portion of a sign that is powered by or lit with electricity must obtain an electrical permit.
5. Wyoming Department Of Transportation Permit: Prior to placing any sign in the Downtown Architectural District, adjacent to any State highway or within any State right-of- way, the applicant must submit an application to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and must obtain approval from WYDOT.
B. Sign Plan Review Process:
1. Application: Sign plan review applications shall be obtained from the City Planning Department. A completed application shall be submitted to the Planning Department by the owner or his authorized agent. The application shall contain, or have attached thereto, the following information:
a. The name and address of the owner or other person in control of the premises upon which the sign or advertising structure is to be constructed, erected, posted or displayed, the name of the person erecting the sign or structure; the address and legal description of the premises upon which the proposed sign or advertising structure is to be located and the frontage of the lot or building. For V-shaped signs the applicant must provide the degree of the angle between sign faces.
b. A site plan which identifies the location of all exterior signs existing or proposed for the premises. The plan must include building elevations with signs depicted. Sign elevations must indicate overall and letter/figure dimensions, colors, materials, and illumination for each sign.
c. Two (2) drawings containing plans and specifications which indicate the method of construction and anchoring to the building or ground; the total area of the proposed sign in square feet; the height of the proposed advertising structure from ground level; and an electrical wiring plan if the sign is to be supplied with electricity.
2. Application Review: Within twenty one (21) days of filing a completed application the Planning Department shall review the sign review application. The Planning Department shall determine if the proposed sign and application are in compliance or noncompliance with this chapter. The Planning Department shall either approve the application, deny the application due to noncompliance with this chapter or other City ordinances or regulations which may apply, or refer the application directly to the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board in situations where the department is uncertain as to the interpretation or application of this chapter to the proposed sign. Every sign plan review approved by the Planning Department shall expire by limitation and become null and void if a building permit is not issued by the Building Department within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of approval of such review. Additional time may be permitted with authorization of the Planning Department.
3. Review Approval: If the Planning Department has determined the sign and application is in compliance with this chapter and other ordinances and regulations which may apply, the Planning Department shall approve the sign plan review for the proposed sign and direct the applicant to the Building Department for building permit review and issuance.
4. Review Application Retention: The Planning Department shall retain one (1) copy of the sign plan review application. The review application and subsequent approval or denial shall be retained at the Office of the Planning Department until such time as the sign no longer exists.
5. Review Fees: Each application for a sign review shall be accompanied by a review fee as set forth by section 10-1-6 of this title.
6. Appeal From The Decision Of The Planning Department: Upon denial of a sign plan review by the Planning Department, the applicant may submit a modified application for reconsideration to the planning department, or file an appeal to the planning, zoning and adjustment board. An appeal from the decision of the planning department shall be filed with the planning department within thirty (30) calendar days of the denial of a sign plan. The appeal shall contain twelve (12) copies of detailed drawings, drawn to scale, containing complete plan specifications which indicate the method of construction and anchoring to the building or ground; the total area of the proposed sign in square feet; and the height of the proposed advertising structure from ground level. The appeal must state the reason why the applicant feels the planning department's decision was in error. The planning, zoning and adjustment board shall consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting or as promptly as practicable at a subsequent regularly scheduled meeting. The applicant shall be given written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The burden shall be on the applicant to demonstrate why the planning department's decision was in error, and to show that the proposed sign complies with this chapter. The appeal shall be limited to a determination by the planning, zoning and adjustment board of whether the planning department erred in determining that the application did not comply with this chapter. The board shall render a decision on the appeal within thirty (30) days of the meeting. (Ord. 2011-06, 6-7-2011)