(a) No person shall erect, alter, relocate, enlarge, or convert any sign in the City without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building Official or his or her designee.
(b) To ensure compliance with all appropriate laws and City Ordinances it shall be the duty of the Building Official or his or her designee to review applications for new sign permits, temporary sign permits and/or sign permits for a change to an existing sign. The Building Official shall examine the application material, plans and specifications and other data pertinent to the regulations of this chapter, the Michigan Building Code and other Codified Ordinances for the City. Any requested permits for existing nonconforming signs shall require the sign to be brought into compliance with current sign regulation standards. The Planning Commission may, as part of their review of a site plan, approve applications for new signs, temporary signs or changes to existing signs in the same manner as stated by the Building Official.
(c) Applications for sign permits shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner/applicant.
(2) Letter of approval, which outlines the consent of the property owner, if different from the applicant.
(3) A site plan drawing, (two copies required) which must include the following:
A. For wall signs, the location of the building or structure to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structures is to be attached or erected;
B. For freestanding signs, the location of the sign in relationship to nearby buildings, improvements and property lines;
C. An elevation of the proposed sign with dimensions, colors and wording.
(4) Any other information deemed necessary by the Building Official to ensure compliance with this chapter and all other provisions of these Codified Ordinances or the Michigan Building Code.
(d) Buildings or clusters of buildings within a project having more than one tenant shall submit a Master Sign Plan with the sign permit application. The Master Sign Plan shall include locations, area, height, colors, and fonts of all freestanding and wall signs. Elevations of the freestanding signs shall also be included. The Master Sign Plan must be designed so that it establishes a common theme or design, use similar construction methods, has compatible colors, size and scale. The Sign Plan must also indicate the area designated for individual tenant signs on the permitted freestanding signs.
(e) The following purposes shall not be required to obtain a sign review or permit:
(1) Painting, cleaning or maintenance, or the changing of the copy or message, unless a structural change is made; or
(2) The changing of the copy or message on reader board panel signs designed for such changes, including, but not limited to theatre marquees, billboards, electronic message signs and signs with moveable copy.
(Res. 24-95. Passed 2-13-95; Ord. 2002-05. Passed 6-24-02.)