(a) Except as otherwise provided in this code it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, convert, or modify any sign in the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the Building Commissioner as required by this code. These directives shall not be construed to require any permit for a change of copy on any sign, nor for the repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way. No new permit is required for signs which have permits and which conform with the requirements of this code on the date of its adoption unless and until the sign is altered or relocated. Applications for approval of a temporary sign shall be subject to review only by the Building Commissioner without further board review, except for any appeal. The Building Commissioner shall approve or reject the temporary sign application within five business days of filing.
(b) Expiration of Permit. Any sign permit issued by the Building Commissioner shall become null and void if installation is not commenced within one hundred and eighty days from the date of such permit. If work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for one hundred and twenty days any time after the work is commenced, a new permit shall be first obtained prior to re-commencement of the work, and the fee required by Chapter 214 shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided that no changes have been made in the original plans. Such new permit may not be unreasonably withheld, providing that proper application and payment of permit fees is complied with.
(c) Emergencies. In emergency situations, where there is imminent danger of personal injury or harm to property, work may be initiated and completed without first applying for a permit. However, a permit shall be applied for within forty-eight hours after the first working day when work has commenced on the sign.
(d) Consent Required. No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property or building without the consent of the owner or person entitled to possession of the property or building if any, or their authorized representatives.
(e) Application for Permit. An application for a permit shall be made to the Building Division upon forms provided by the Building Division. The application may be made separately or in conjunction with an application for a building permit.
(1) The application shall be accompanied by drawings to scale and shall include such information as may be required to assure compliance with all appropriate laws and regulations of the city including but not limited to the following:
A. The design and layout proposed, including the total area of the sign, materials to be used, structural supports, and the size, character and color of letters, lines and symbols;
B. The method of illumination, including a description of electrical components, if any;
C. The exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property; and
D. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachments, which must meet the requirements found in Section 1284.05.
E. Name and address of owner of the sign.
F. Name and address of owner or the person in possession of the premises where the sign is located or to be located.
(f) Issuance, Denial, Revocation.
(1) The Building Commissioner shall issue a permit for the erection, alteration or relocation of a sign within thirty days of receipt of a valid application, provided that the sign complies with all applicable laws and regulations of the City. In all applications where a matter of interpretation arises, the more specific definition or higher standard shall prevail.
(2) The Building Commissioner may suspend or revoke in writing a permit issued under provisions of this section whenever the permit is issued on the basis of a misstatement of material fact or false representation. When a sign permit is denied or revoked by the Building Commissioner, he or she shall give written notice of the denial or revocation to the applicant, together with a brief written statement of the reasons for the denial or revocation.
(g) Effect of Issuance. No permit for a sign issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain an unlawful sign nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an action to abate an unlawful sign.
(h) Permit Fee.
(1) Application for permits shall be filed with the Building Commissioner, together with a permit fee for each sign, provided, however, that the minimum fee for a permit shall be set forth in Chapter 214.
(2) If any sign is installed or placed on any property prior to receipt of a permit, the specified permit fee shall be doubled. However, payment of the doubled fee shall not relieve any person of any other requirements or penalties prescribed in this Zoning Code.
(i) Appeals. Any applicant may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals from any decision of the Building Commissioner pertaining to an application for a sign permit, maintenance or removal of any sign. Any such appeal shall meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 1264.
(j) Notice of Change of Sign Owner or User. Whenever there is a change in the sign user, owner, or owner of the property on which the sign is located, the new sign user, owner, or new property owner shall promptly notify the Building Commissioner of the change. No new sign permit is required, unless the sign is altered or relocated.
(Ord. 07-103. Passed 4-1-08; Ord. 13-152. Passed 2-4-14.)