1141.03 PERMIT REQUIRED.
   The erection or location of any sign within the Village of Elida shall require a Zoning Permit unless otherwise specified in Section 1141.05. In addition, signs over nine (9) feet in height and/or thirty-two (32) square feet shall require a Building Permit. Exemptions from the necessity of securing a zoning or building permit, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign involved from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a safe manner and a manner in accordance with all the other provisions of this chapter.
   (a)   When applying for a Zoning Permit for a sign, the following materials must be submitted:
      (1)   A completed application and fee for each requested sign, signed by the owner of the premises upon which the sign is to be displayed.
      (2)   Scale elevation drawing(s) of proposed sign(s) showing the design proposed, the materials used, the sign dimensions, the size, style, color and lettering type, lines and symbols and method of illumination.
      (3)   Construction details, foundation and anchorage details, stresses and loads, and engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered design professional when required by the Ohio Building Code.
      (4)   A dimensioned site plan showing the exact location of proposed sign(s) in relation to adjacent buildings, lot lines or other structures.
      (5)   For free-standing signs, a sign base plan. Applications for a Building Permit for a sign must be submitted to the local certified building department, and shall include the approved Zoning Permit and the applicable fee and submittals required by the building department.
   (b)   Fees. The applicant for a Zoning Permit shall pay such fees as are prescribed by the Village of Elida. Such fees shall be prescribed annually, or more often, by the Village Council.
   (c)   Inspection. All signs and billboards erected within this Village are subject to inspection, whether a Permit is required or not, prior to erection. The Village Zoning Inspector, or any other official of the Village, is hereby authorized to enter upon any property or premises to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter are being complied with. Such inspection may be made at any reasonable time and the Village Zoning Inspector shall order the removal of any sign or billboard that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
   (d)   Removal of Signs. The Village Zoning Inspector shall effect removal of any illegally placed sign and its supporting structures within the right-of-way of any road within this Village, or sign for which no required Permit has been issued. The Zoning Inspector shall reasonably retain said sign and shall attempt to notify the owner thereof of its location. If the owner of any sign fails to claim the same within forty-five (45) days after notice by the Zoning Inspector, said sign may be destroyed. Any abandoned sign that no longer applies to the property on which it is situated, or a dangerous or materially, electrically or structurally defective sign shall be declared a public nuisance and the procedure for removal of signs shall be applied.
(Ord. 1045. Passed 10-14-14.)