(A) Permit required. Except as provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, relocate, or structurally alter any sign or other advertising structure as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a sign permit from the City Secretary, and paying the permit fee required by resolution adopted by the city. Additionally, all illuminated signs shall be subject to the provisions of the electrical code and its requisite permit fees. No permit is required for change of copy or message or for repair, repainting, or maintenance that does not entail structural change. Permit fees may be established by the City Administrator. The failure to pay the established permit fee, or obtain a required permit, is a violation of this chapter.
(1) Permits shall be required in all cases for the following signs:
(a) Monument signs;
(b) Bulletin board signs;
(c) Any signs of a size greater than 16 square feet, if otherwise permitted by this chapter; and
(d) All signs which are illuminated.
(2) As a part of the permit process, the Chief Building Official may require that an illuminated sign may be placed on a timer. Absent specific authorization from the Chief Building Official, any illuminated sign which is required to be placed on a timer shall cause the illumination to be turned off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following morning.
(B) Application.
(1) Erect, alter, replace, or relocate. Applications for permits to erect, alter, replace, or relocate a sign shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
(b) The location of the building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected;
(c) The position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, including other signs;
(d) Two blueprint or ink drawings of the plans and specifications are required, including electrical wiring, construction, type of materials, method of attachment to the building or structure, and foundation for freestanding signs;
(e) Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city;
(f) The name and address of the person erecting the sign;
(g) The zoning classification of the property on which the sign is to be located, and the zoning classification of all property within 200 feet; and
(h) Other information as the Building Official shall require to show full compliance with this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city.
(2) Repair. Application for sign repair permits shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the sign owner;
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the repair service;
(c) The location of the building, structure, or lot upon which the sign is located;
(d) A description of the repair activity to be performed; and
(e) Other information as the Building Official shall require to show full compliance with this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city.
(3) Illuminated signs. Prior to issuance of a sign permit for a sign in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used, the Electrical Inspector shall examine the plans and specifications submitted with the application to ensure compliance with the electrical code of the city and with the requirements of the Underwriters’ Laboratories. The Electrical Inspector shall approve the application if it meets these requirements and disapprove it if it does not. Approval of an application by the Electrical Inspector is required before the Building Official may issue a sign permit. An electrical permit is also required.
(Ord. 595, passed 5-23-2006) Penalty, see § 153.99