(a) A building permit shall be required for all, with the exception of:
(1) Signs that are two (2) square feet in area or less located in U-1 Single Family Dwelling Districts;
(2) Window signs, and
(3) Temporary signs that are not more than six (6) square feet in area nor more than four ( 4) feet in height.
(b) No person shall construct, erect or install a sign in the City without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall approve a sign permit, only when the Inspector determines that the sign is in compliance with these regulations. The property owner shall indicate approval of the proposed sign, and sign the permit application form, prior to the application being submitted to the City. In non-residential districts, the application for the permit shall be accompanied with plans for the sign, showing the location, size and materials used to construct such sign.
(c) Permanent signs to be erected in any District other than a U-1 Single Family Dwelling District or a U-lA Townhouse District shall require approval of the Architectural Review Board prior to obtaining a building permit.
(d) Any proposed sign that is not in compliance with this Chapter shall be referred by the Building Inspector for review by the Planning Commission. When reviewing the appropriateness of such deviation from the regulations herein, the Planning Commission shall approve such sign only when it determines that:
(1) The sign is of such size and scale to be appropriate for the size of the building and the portion of the building (panel, fascia, wall, etc.) on which the sign will be placed.
(2) The proposed sign is the minimum necessary to assure it is legible to the intended viewers which are typically the passing motorists.
(3) The additional sign, the additional sign area, the alternative location that is proposed, and/or the design of the proposed sign will not adversely impact the adjacent residential areas or, otherwise, compromise any other public interests.
(e) In advance of a specific sign application being submitted, an overall sign plan may be submitted by a property owner to the Planning Commission. Such overall sign plan shall be considered by the Planning Commission utilizing the criteria in subsection (b) above. Once a sign plan has been approved for a property, then individual signs for such property, whether new or replacement signs, may be approved administratively when the Inspector of Buildings determines that the proposed new or replacement sign and its installation is in compliance with the approved overall plan and this Chapter.
(f) City Council shall establish fees for sign permits and may adjust such fees from time to time as Council determines to be appropriate.
(Ord. 2015-34. Passed 5-25-16.)