(A) A sign permit is required except per provisions of this chapter. No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated or substantially altered except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and with a valid sign permit.
(B) Applications for a sign permit shall be submitted to the Planning, Permitting and Enforcement Department with forms furnished by that Department. The property owner shall provide sufficient information, which shall include detailed renderings, including colors, sizes, lighting and location for all signs. An application for a temporary sign shall state the dates intended for the erection and removal of the sign. Sign requests for a multi-use or tenant development projects shall be submitted in conjunction with the first site plan submitted for approval within the project.
(C) The Zoning Administrator or designee shall process the sign permit application and approve the application, reject the application or notify the applicant of deficiencies within 20 business days after receipt. Any application that complies with all the provisions of this zoning ordinance, the building code, and other applicable laws, regulation and ordinances shall be approved.
(D) If the application is rejected, the county shall provide a list of the reasons for the rejection in writing. An application shall be rejected for non-compliance with the terms of the zoning ordinance, building code, or other applicable law, regulation, or ordinance.
(E) A nonrefundable fee as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the Northampton County Board of Supervisors shall accompany all sign permit applications.
(F) Duration and revocation of sign permit. If a sign is not installed within six months following the issuance of a sign permit (or within 30 days in the case of a temporary sign permit), the permit shall be void. The permit for a temporary sign shall state its duration, not to exceed 30 days unless another time is provided in the zoning ordinance. The county may revoke a sign permit under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The county determines that information in the application was materially false or misleading;
(2) The sign as installed does not conform to the sign permit application; or
(3) The sign violates the zoning ordinance, building code, or other applicable law, regulation or ordinance.
(G) Special use. Comprehensive sign plans may be approved by a minor special use permit. The comprehensive sign plans shall establish the time, manner, and placement of signs, frequency of message changes, the materials, the hours of lighting, the height of signs, the total number of square feet of sign surface, and the number of signs to be placed on a site. Height of signs shall not be modified above the height permitted in the zoning ordinance.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Am. Ord. passed 3-12-2024)