Sec. 59-F-9.1. Permit.

   (a)   When Required.

      (1)   Except as otherwise provided in divisions 59-F-8 and 59-F-6, a permit must be obtained under this Article when a sign is constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated, or substantially altered.

      (2)   Routine maintenance does not require a permit. Routine maintenance includes painting, cleaning, changing copy where permitted, or changing copy in compliance with a sign concept plan.

   (b)   Application. The property owner and the sign installer must file a joint application for the sign permit on forms provided by the Director. If the property owner has an agent or lessee, the agent and the lessee must also sign each permit form.  The application must be accompanied by all required documents and fees.  The Director must waive all required fees for any organization that satisfies subsection (1)(A) and may waive or reduce all required fees for any organization that satisfies subsection (1)(B) if:

      (1)   the primary applicant is a non-profit organization that:

         (A)   is on the Planning Board’s list of civic and homeowners associations; or

         (B)   by law is exempt from federal income taxes and demonstrates that its annual revenue during its most recent fiscal year was less than an amount set by a regulation adopted by the Director under method (2); and

      (2)   the size of the proposed sign is smaller than a maximum size set by a regulation adopted by the Director under method (2).

   (c)   Required Application Documents.  An application for a sign permit must be accompanied by:

      (1)   a scale drawing of the sign showing all dimensions and visual characteristics, including structural and architectural supports;

      (2)   a scale drawing of the site showing:

         (A)   the proposed location of the sign, including setbacks,

         (B)   the location and size of all other signs on the property,

         (C)   the location, dimensions, and distance from property lines of all buildings on the site,

         (D)   the location, and name of all streets which abut the property,

         (E)   the frontage dimensions of the site along each street which abuts the property; and

         (F)   the existing elevation and grade of the site and the proposed contour lines.

      (3)   a valid electrical permit or a completed application for an electrical permit pursuant to Chapter 17 of this Code, if the application is for an illuminated sign;

      (4)   a completed building permit application pursuant to Chapter 8 of this Code for a sign requiring structural support;

      (5)   payment of the sign permit fee as adopted under Council Resolution,

      (6)   other information that may be required by the Director to insure compliance with this Article or other Sections of the Code, and

      (7)   (A)   a sign concept plan,

            (i)   for any lot or parcel in a commercial or industrial zone that is requesting more than 800 square feet of total sign area, or

            (ii)   for a development of more than one lot or parcel in a commercial or industrial zone developed under a management control plan where one or more individual lots or parcels is requesting more than 800 square feet of total sign area.  When used for such development, a sign concept plan may include one or more individual sites or parcels whose total sign area does not exceed 800 square feet, or

            (iii)   for optional method development within an urban renewal area.

   (d)   Issuance.  A sign permit must be issued by the Director as follows:

      (1)   upon review of the application, the Director determines that the proposed sign or sign concept plan meets the requirements of this Article; or,

      (2)   upon submission of the application packet and a written certification by a licensed sign installer that the proposed sign meets the requirements of this Article.

   (e)   Display of a Sign Permit.  The sign permit must be displayed in a location on or near the sign that permits a person to read the permit while standing on the ground, including on the sign itself, on its supporting structure, or other reasonable and visible location.

   (f)   Invalidation of a Sign Permit.  A sign permit becomes invalid when:

      (1)   the sign for which the permit was issued is not erected within 6 months from the date of issuance,

      (2)   the sign for which the permit was issued is moved or substantially altered,

      (3)   the Director revokes the permit for failure to comply with an order issued by the department stipulating corrective action for improper maintenance,

      (4)   the application for a sign permit contained inaccurate information, or

      (5)   the terms of the permit have not been satisfied.

   (g)   Maintenance.  A sign must be maintained in good repair, and in a safe, neat and clean condition.

(Legislative History: Ord. No. 13-76, § 1; Ord. No. 14-10, § 8; Ord. No. 15-55, § 1; Ord. No. 16-13, § 1.)