Except those signs specified in section 9-17-5 of this chapter, no "sign", "awning", "canopy", or display device as defined in this chapter shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a sign permit and without being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
A. Structural Requirements:
1. Signs also shall meet all other structural requirements of other applicable codes and ordinances of the city of Knoxville.
2. Signs or sign structures shall not be erected or altered until a permit has been issued by the city manager or his/her designee. "Altered" shall be defined as any modification in the size, height, dimensions, location or mounting of a sign other than routine maintenance.
3. Any sign permit granted hereunder may not be assigned or transferred to any other sign or modified sign face or sign structure.
B. Application For A Permit: Any person, firm, corporation or organization desiring to place, erect, alter or relocate a "sign", as herein defined, except an exempt sign, shall make application to the city manager or his/her designee and shall provide in writing the following information:
1. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
2. The name and address of the owner or owners of the premises upon which the sign is to be attached or erected. If the applicants are not the property owners, written proof of consent from the property owner upon which the sign(s) are to be erected and maintained shall also be required.
3. The street address and/or tax parcel number of the land upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
4. A legible scaled drawing with description and dimensions (height, colors, shape, etc.) of the sign(s) to be erected or maintained under that permit and the sign's proposed location on the building or site.
5. The basic materials to be used in the construction of the sign.
6. A description of all electrical equipment if the sign is to be lighted or illuminated.
7. Proof of payment of the appropriate sign permit fee, when required.
8. Any other item of information that may be reasonably required by the city manager or his/her designee for the purpose of application evaluation.
C. Permit Issuance/Denial: The following information is related to sign permit issuance:
1. All sign permit applications shall be reviewed by the city manager or his/her designee who shall grant or deny such applications within ten (10) business days of receipt of the complete application and payment of fee. If the sign meets the requirements of this chapter and all other ordinances of the city, a sign permit shall be granted.
2. If the sign permit is denied or requires a variance, the sign permit applicant may appeal to the board of adjustment and request a variance.
3. No permit for a sign issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain an unlawful sign, nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an action to abate an unlawful sign.
4. The applicant shall, upon completion of the installation, relocation or alteration of the sign, notify the city manager or his/her designee who may inspect the premises to inspect whether the sign complies with the regulations of this chapter.
D. Permit Revocation; Appeal:
1. A sign permit may be revoked by the City Manager or his/her designee in the event the applicant has failed to comply with the provisions of these regulations or any conditions that may have accompanied the permit at the time of granting.
2. The holder of a revoked sign permit may appeal such revocation action to the Board of Adjustment. A request for an appeals hearing shall be made in writing to the City Manager or his/her designee within thirty (30) days of the date of the original permit revocation.
3. Upon any permit revocation or failure to prevail before the Board of Adjustment, the sign(s) subject to such revoked permits shall be removed by the licensee within thirty (30) days of such revocation.
4. Revocation shall not give cause to a right of total or partial reimbursement of license fees paid.
E. Standards For Board Of Adjustment In Reviewing Appeals: The Board of Adjustment may authorize upon appeal, in specific cases, issuance of a sign permit when such decision will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship and so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done. No Board of Adjustment decision shall have the effect of allowing in any district uses prohibited in that district or permit standards significantly lower than those required by this chapter.
F. Permit Validity: Any sign permit issued by the City Manager or his/her designee shall be null and void and automatically revoked in the event that construction, installation, or manufacture of the sign has not been commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the issuance of such permit. If work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of ninety (90) days any time after the work is commenced, the original permit shall become null and void. A new permit shall first be obtained to complete the work, and a new permit fee shall be required.
G. Exceptions For Temporary Signs: Additional temporary signs may be allowed with approval from the City Manager. Those requesting additional temporary signs must make application to the City Manager prior to using temporary signs. (Ord. 12-12, 11-5-2012)