(a) Required. No sign shall be erected, structurally altered or relocated, nor shall any sign which is blown down, destroyed, damaged or removed be re-erected, without a permit issued by the Building Department representative, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Where electrical permits are required, they shall be obtained at the same time as the sign permit.
(b) Applications. The permit application shall contain the proposed location of the sign structure, the name and address of the sign owner and of the sign erector, the name and address of the owner of the business and of the property if different from that of the sign owner, drawings and/or sketches showing the design and location of the sign, the estimated cost of construction and such other pertinent information as the Building Department representative may require to ensure compliance with this chapter and with other ordinances of the city.
(c) Fees. All sign fees shall be regulated by Council, by resolution, at a regularly scheduled Council meeting. Such resolution may, from time to time, be amended pursuant to the governing rules of Council.
(d) Nullification. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within six months after the date of the permit.
(e) Exceptions. The following operations shall not be considered as creating a sign and, therefore, shall not require a sign permit:
(1) Changeable message signs. The changing of the message on an approved changeable sign, on a theater marquee and on similar approved signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy; and
(2) Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or a sign structure, unless a structural change is made.
(f) Certificate of compliance. All permanent sign permits that are also considered building permits shall require a final inspection and the issuance of a certificate of compliance from the Building Department.
(Ord. 1707-01, passed 7-12-2017; Ord. 1906-01, passed 7-24-2019)