1131.04 SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED.

   (a)   Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs shall require a sign permit that shall be reviewed in the same manner as a zoning permit.

   (b)   In some instances, a sign may require a building permit and/or floodplain permit and where required, approval of all permits shall be required prior to the installation of the applicable sign.

   (c)   When any sign is installed, erected, constructed or maintained in violation of any of the terms of this code, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the sign owner or property owner in writing thereof to alter such sign so as to comply with this code.

   (d)   No permit for any building, structure, or use shall be issued until any abandoned, discontinued, or condemned sign is removed from the property, or modified or replaced by a sign which conforms to the applicable requirements of this chapter and other applicable requirements of the Fairborn Codified Ordinances.

   (e)   Signs Allowed without a Sign Permit. The following signs or activities do not require a sign permit, but may still be subject to building and floodplain permit requirements. Each sign exempt from the permit process shall still comply with any applicable safety, height, area, and locational standards established in this chapter and shall not count toward other maximum sign area or sign height standards:

      (1)   Flags that do not contain a commercial message provided there shall be no more than three such flags on any lot;

      (2)   Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer, or other person in performance of a public duty;

      (3)   For the purposes of safety and emergency access, signs indicating the street number of a building or structure are permitted without a sign permit but shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.

      (4)   Sign face changes where there is no change to the structure including change in sign face area, height, or alteration of the sign cabinet, if applicable (e.g., replacement of a sign face, repainting of a sign face, etc.);

      (5)   Signs on vending machines, automatic teller machines, or fuel dispensers where the sign area does not exceed eight square feet in area per side;

      (6)   Commemorative plaques placed by recognized historical or government agencies;

      (7)   Certain temporary signs as established in Section 1131.10: Temporary Signs.

      (8)   Changes of copy on signs with changeable copy (See Section 1131.06(i): Changeable Copy.);

      (9)   Works of art which do not identify a business, product or service; and

      (10)   A sign permit is not required for general maintenance, painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or any sign structure unless a structural change is made.

         (Ord. 34-17. Effective 12-7-17.)