Sec. 59-F-10.1. Director of the Department of Permitting Services.

   (a)   Enforcement.

      (1)   Inspections.  The Director must enforce all provisions of this Article.  Upon identification and presentation of proper credentials, the Director may enter a site during normal business hours to inspect a sign displayed on a building, structure, lot or parcel in the County to determine compliance with this Article.

      (2)   Assignment of Responsibility.  The responsibility for compliance with the terms of this Article is upon the joint applicants for a sign permit, including the property owner or agent of the property where the sign is erected, along with the lessee, if any, and the sign installer.  The Director may initiate enforcement proceedings against one or all of these individuals, jointly or severally.

      (3)   Removal of Signs.  The Director may order the removal of any sign that violates this Article, or interferes with traffic or public safety.  The removal must be performed at the expense of the responsible party.

      (4)   Enforcement of Variances.  The Director must enforce the conditions and terms of a variance issued by the Department of Permitting Services.

      (5)   Revocation and Suspension.  The Director may revoke, suspend, refuse to issue, or refuse to reissue any permit or license in accordance with this Article.

   (b)   Permits and Licenses.

      (1)   Permits.  The Director may issue a permit required by this Article when the applicant complies with Section 59-F-9.1.  A permit may be issued:

         (A)   for each sign on an individual basis; or

         (B)   for each sign on a collective basis after a sign concept plan is approved under subsection 59-F-9.1(c)(7).  Except for optional method development in an urban renewal area, when a sign concept plan exceeds the maximum allowable sign area for the site, the applicant must seek a variance from the Department of Permitting Services in conformance with subsection 59-F-10.2(c)(2).

      (2)   Licenses.  The Director may issue a license required by this Article upon compliance by the applicant with the requirements of Section 59-F-9.1.

      (3)   Fees.  The Director must establish a schedule of fees for licenses and permits which reflect the cost of administration and enforcement of this Article.  The schedule of fees must be approved by Council Resolution.

   (c)   Interpretation.  The Director has the authority to resolve any dispute or to interpret any ambiguity in this Article.

   (d)   Relief from an Action of the Director.

      (1)   Variance from the Sign Review Board.  An applicant may file a request for a variance with the Department of Permitting Services if the Director denies a sign permit because the proposed sign does not comply with this Article.

      (2)   Appeal to the Board of Appeals.  The following may be appealed to the Board of Appeals:

         (A)   any action or decision of the Director as a expressed in a final action by staff or a final action of the Sign Review Board, in conformance with the appeal requirements of 59-F-10.3; or

         (B)   a revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue or to renew a sign installer license.

(Legislative History: Ord. No. 13-76, § 1; Ord. No. 13-112, § 1; Ord. No. 14-10, § 9; Ord. No. 14-36, § 1; Ord. No. 14-49, § 1; Ord. No. 15-52, § 1.)