(A) In addition to any other permits which may be required by the Uniform Codes or Municipal Code, an approved sign review permit shall be required, which may be issued by the Planning Director, for any sign erected, altered, relocated, or reconstructed in any zone district, excepting those exempt per § 10-6.04.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate, or reconstruct a sign within the city without first obtaining a sign review permit.
(C) In order to file an application for any action under this chapter, the applicant shall have a certain legal interest in the real property which is the subject of the application, which legal interest shall be one of the following:
(1) Owner;
(2) Seller or purchaser under a contract of sale;
(3) Lessee, limited to the portion being leased and excluding common access drives and common parking areas; or
(4) A verified agent of one of such persons (such as a licensed sign contractor).
(D) The application shall be in the number of copies and on the format designated by the Planning Director. All sign review applications shall include the following:
(1) Completed application form to include all required signatures;
(2) Payment of the required fee, as set by the City Council;
(3) Three sets of scaled drawings to include:
(a) Scaled plot plan of the subject property, identifying the location of all proposed signs;
(b) Scaled drawings of all proposed signage with sign size(s) calculated;
(c) Scaled drawings of all building elevations to include all existing and proposed signs; and
(d) All exhibits shall include a legend, and a color scheme, and show the type of illumination, method of attachment, material composition, disconnect switch wherever applicable, and other information which may be needed to determine that the provisions of this chapter have been satisfied.
(E) In processing sign applications, the following criteria shall be used to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove:
(1) The sign shall be consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter;
(2) The sign shall be consistent with the standards, exceptions, and prohibitions set forth in this chapter; and
(3) The sign’s location and copy shall be best suited for visibility and safety.
(F) The Planning Department shall review all sign review permit applications and shall either approve, approve with modifications, or deny an application in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and any other applicable requirements of federal, state, or local laws. The Planning Director, however, may withhold action on an application until it is reviewed by the Planning Commission if the Director feels there is a potential element of controversy regarding the following factors, which include, but are not limited to: size, color, type, face, shape, or other elements disharmonious, distracting, or incongruous with the site or any surrounding neighborhood.
(G) In the event of denial, the Planning Department shall provide written notice of a denial to the applicant within five working days after a decision is rendered. The applicant may appeal any decision of the Planning Department to the Planning Commission pursuant to the provisions of § 10-6.18 (Appeals).
(Ord. 864 C.S., passed 11-4-09; Am. Ord. 868 C.S., passed 5-5-10)