(a) Compliance with this chapter. No person shall erect, locate, move, alter or replace any sign or cause a sign to be located or maintained, unless all provisions of this chapter have been met.
(b) Signs requiring zoning certificate/registration. To ensure compliance with these regulations, a zoning certificate shall be obtained for all signs, unless specifically exempted below. All temporary ground signs and banner signs except ideological signs shall be registered with the Zoning Inspector.
(c) Application requirements.
(1) An application for a zoning certificate shall be made to the Zoning Inspector on the form provided and in the manner required.
(2) When any person other than the owner of the property submits an application, the owner of the property or a designated agent for the owner shall also sign such application.
(3) The application shall include:
A. Scaled drawing showing lot lines and location of the building or structures on which signs are to be located;
B. Location and dimensions of proposed signage on a scaled drawing of the building elevation;
C. Type of lettering, characters or other symbols;
D. Color rendering of proposed signage;
E. Location of ground and instructional signs;
F. Landscape plan for the base of ground signs;
G. Construction specifications; and
H. Type of illumination.
(d) Sign review.
(1) The Planning and Zoning Commission shall review and act on applications for permanent signs according to the standards set forth in this section and the review procedures for development plan review set forth in § 1262.04.
(2) The Zoning Inspector shall review all temporary signs, except as otherwise specifically exempted below.
(3) The erection of the following signs shall not require a zoning certificate provided that all applicable regulations of this section are complied with:
A. Signplates for residential uses;
B. Temporary signs for dwelling units;
C. Temporary window signs; and
D. Maintenance of existing signs in compliance with § 1286.11(c).
(e) Referral of applications to Planning and Zoning Commission. The Zoning Inspector, upon receiving an application shall examine such plans, specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure.
(1) If it appears that the proposed application is complete, the application shall be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission where its approval must be obtained before the zoning certificate is issued.
A. When approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the application shall be returned to the Zoning Inspector who shall issue the zoning certificate.
B. If the work authorized under a zoning certificate has not been completed within six months after the date of approval, the permit shall become null and void.
(f) Procedures for variances and appeals. Any applicant seeking a variance to the conditions imposed under these regulations or an appeal to an administrative decision made under these regulations, other than a decision by the Planning and Zoning Commission, may apply to or appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The following conditions shall apply.
(1) When filing an application for an appeal to an administrative decision, the applicant shall file a notice of appeal specifying the grounds therefor with the administrative official within 20 days of the administrative official's decision. Upon determining that the application is complete and upon receipt of the required fee, the administrative official shall transmit to the Board of Zoning Appeals the application and a transcript constituting the record from which the administrative decision subject to appeal was based. This transmission shall occur no less than 14 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals in order to be placed on the agenda for that meeting.
(2) When applying for a variance, the applicant shall file a variance request with the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(3) Applications for appeals or variances to these regulations shall contain the following information:
A. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
B. Proof of ownership or authorization to represent the property owner;
C. The location of the property, including street address and permanent parcel number;
D. The current zoning of the property;
E. A description of the project for which the appeal or variance is sought;
F. A description of the administrative decision being appealed or the regulation from which a variance is sought; and
G. Names and addresses of each property owner within 500 feet as shown in the current records of the Lake County Auditor typed on gummed labels.
(4) Applications for variances or appeals of administrative decisions shall not be resubmitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals within one year of the date of a final decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals on the original application, unless the applicant shows the Board of Zoning Appeals either of the following:
A. Newly discovered evidence that could not have been presented with the original submission; or
B. Evidence of a substantial change in circumstances since the time of the original submission.
(5) A decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals in response to an application for a variance request or an appeal of an administrative decision filed pursuant to these regulations shall be final.
(Ord. 04-O-28, passed 8-23-2004)