(a) Upon receipt of a complete and accurate application for a permit complying with Section 1171.08, the Department of Planning and Development shall examine the plans and specifications and the premises upon which the proposed sign is to be erected.
(b) Unless the applicant applies for a variance from a provision or provisions of the Code in order to erect a sign as proposed, or the applicant engages in other conduct which directly causes delay, the Department of Planning and Development shall make a determination on the permit application within ten (10) business days. In the event of a variance request, or other delay occasioned by conduct of the applicant, the Department of Planning and Development's time for making a determination under this section shall be extended for a period of time equal to the time period during which the variance application is pending, or to the period of time of other delay occasioned by conduct of the applicant, whichever is applicable. In case of an extenuating circumstance, the Department of Planning and Development may apply to the City Manager for an extension of the time in which to complete its review, not to exceed an additional ten (10) business days. In determining whether to grant this extension, the City Manager shall consider the reasons offered in explanation of the delay and balance them against the hardship to the applicant arising from an extended time for determination.
(c) Failure of the Department of Planning and Development to issue a permit within the required ten (10) business days, or otherwise within the time period set forth in subsection (b) above, shall be construed to be an issuance of the permit upon the lapse of the last day upon which the Department of Planning and Development may, pursuant to subsection (b) above, make its determination, but shall not constitute an issuance of any permit as may otherwise be required by the Building Code.
(d) If the proposed sign complies with this and all other applicable laws and ordinances of the City, the Department of Planning and Development shall issue the requested permit upon receipt of the appropriate fees. If the Department of Planning and Development determines that the application should be denied, it shall issue a written statement contemporaneous with its decision, explaining the reasons for the denial.
(e) If an application for a permit is part of a development or redevelopment proposal made pursuant to Chapter 1133 of the Zoning Code, then, the permit issued by the Department of Planning and Development shall be a temporary permit only pending final approval by the City of the development or redevelopment proposal pursuant to the provisions of said Chapter 1133. The temporary permit shall become permanent only upon the applicant erecting the applied for sign or signs, or modifying already erected sign or signs, in a manner which meets all structural and locational requirements made a condition of the City's final approval of the development or redevelopment proposal. Every applicant who obtains a temporary permit pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be required to post a bond with the Department of Planning and Development equal to the cost of the sign to be erected, before erecting said sign pursuant to the temporary permit. Said bond shall be forfeited to the City if the applicant, upon receiving final approval, erects a sign or signs, or fails to modify a sign or signs, in violation of an express condition or conditions of that final development approval. Such forfeiture shall be in addition to any other remedies available to the City for such failure.
(f) If the work authorized by a permit is not completed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, said permit shall become null and void.
(Ord. 12-O-60. Passed 9-4-12; Ord. 18-O-075. Passed 9-4-18.)