(a) Permits required. Building and zoning permits shall be obtained for erection, construction, enlargement, relocation or modification of any size sign, as regulated by the Building Department of the city and this chapter.
(b) Fee. A permit shall require payment of a fee as set in § 205.01. Permits for sign construction shall expire six months from the date they are issued. The applicant can request one 30-day extension. The request for an extension must be filed in writing to the Zoning Administrator at least 15 days prior to the expiration date of the original permit. The fee shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit.
(c) Permit applications. Application for a sign permit shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Administrator. The following information shall be required:
(1) Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) Location of the building, structure or lot on which the sign is to be attached or erected;
(3) A plot plan or site plan showing the position of the sign in relation to the building facade and other existing or proposed improvements on the property such as parking lots, drives and walkways. Permit applications submitted for freestanding signs shall also show nearby buildings, structures, including other signs, property lines, roadways, and adjacent land uses and zoning within 100 feet of the proposed freestanding sign;
(4) A plot plan or site plan showing the sign dimensions, height, area, materials, colors, lettering as it will appear on the completed sign, method of construction, method of illumination and method of attachment to the building or in the ground;
(5) Landscaping proposed around freestanding signs including the amount and type of species utilized. Landscaping shall be designed as to be proportionate to the size of the sign. All plant materials shall comply with the Mason Landscape Code;
(6) Name and address of the person, firm or corporation owning, erecting and maintaining the sign;
(7) Information concerning required electrical connections and electrical permits;
(8) Written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected; and
(9) Other information required by the Zoning Administrator and Building Department to make the determination that the sign is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
(d) Issuance of a permit. The applicant shall be given a permit by the Zoning Administrator and Building Department after a complete sign permit application is submitted for the Zoning Administrator’s and Building Department’s review. Sign applications that are not complete or do not meet the minimum standard required in this chapter shall not be approved. The Zoning Administrator shall send to the applicant a notice of the specific ways in which the application is deficient, incomplete or not in compliance with this chapter.
(e) Inspection. All signs for which a permit has been issued shall be inspected by the Zoning Administrator and Building Official when erected. Approval shall be granted only if the sign has been constructed in compliance with the approved plans and applicable Zoning Code and Building Code standards.
(f) Exceptions. A new permit shall not be required for ordinary servicing or repainting of an existing sign, cleaning of a sign or changing of the message on the sign where the sign is designed for the changes (such as lettering on a marquee or numbers on a gasoline price sign). Replacement of the plastic face shall be included as an exempt operation provided that it is due to a change caused by breakage and/or deterioration of the face, but not for the substitution of a new or different advertiser. Furthermore, a permit shall not be required for certain signs listed in § 1187.05.
(Ord. 2003-99, passed 9-8-2003)