This is an ordinance regulating the construction, erection and placement of signs in the Town of Dyer, Lake County, Indiana.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, repair (other than ordinary and necessary maintenance), alter or relocate, within the Town of Dyer, (except for a simple name change) any permanent sign (except for nameplate and occupant signs as hereinafter allowed) or any temporary sign greater than twelve (12) square feet, and temporary commercial signs as identified in Section 10-146.6 (g - l) and (n - p) and (s), or advertising structure as defined in this ordinance, without first obtaining a building permit and making payment of the fee required by ordinance. All illuminated signs shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Electrical Code of the Town and the permit fees required thereunder.
Additions to existing signs shall require that the applicant provide a picture of the existing sign as well as a picture of the proposed addition to the existing sign.
2. Application for building permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Building Department, and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
a. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant and their relationship to the property;
b. Location of building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected;
c. Two (2) permanent prints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications, and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground and showing the position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to nearby buildings, structures and lot lines;
d. When deemed necessary by the Building Inspector, because of wind loads, live and or dead loads, calculations prepared by a registered professional engineer in the State of Indiana indicating that the sign and supports are adequate shall be submitted;
e. Name of person, firm, corporation, or association erecting structures;
f. Written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected;
g. Any electrical permit required and issued for said sign;
h. Insurance policy or bond (on contractor) as required by ordinance;
i. Such other information as the Building Inspector shall require to show compliance with this section and all other laws and ordinances of the Town.
3. The applicant for a permit for erection of a sign or other advertising structure in which electrical wiring and/or connections are to be used shall be submitted to the Electrical Inspector. The Electrical Inspector shall determine if the wiring and/or connections comply with the Electrical Code of the Town.
4. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Administrator and/or the Building Inspector, upon the filing of an application for a building permit, to examine such plans, specifications, other data and/or the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this section and all other laws and ordinances of the Town, then issue the building permit. If the work authorized under a building permit has not been completed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, said permit shall become null and void.
5. If the Zoning Administrator or designee shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this section, or is no longer advertising a bona fide business conducted or product sold on the premises where the sign is located, he shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within three (3) days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Zoning Administrator or designee at the expense of the permittee. The Zoning Administrator shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Zoning Administrator or designee may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to person or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
6. Every sign or other advertising structure hereafter erected shall have printed in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one (1) inch high, the date of erection and the permit number.
7. The owner of any sign as defined by this ordinance and regulated by this section shall properly maintain all parts and supports of said sign.
8. All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than twenty (20) pounds per square foot of area.
9. All size limitations listed elsewhere in this section shall be for net surface area per display surface unless otherwise indicated. The gross area for all signs plus the supporting structures shall in no case exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the net surface area permitted.
10. No sign shall be placed in such a manner that it would block or obscure the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle stopped at a stop sign, traffic light, or entrance to a public street for a distance of two hundred (200) feet in any direction in which there is oncoming traffic.
11. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or public walkway.
(Ord. No. 2007-33, 12-27-07)