(A) Sign code compliance permits required. Except as provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person or firm to post, display, repair, change, paint, or erect any sign or sign structure without first obtaining a sign code compliance permit. Each sign or sign structure shall require a separate sign code compliance permit. Signs may also be required to obtain a building permit, after obtaining the sign code compliance permit and before they can be displayed.
(1) Sign code permit fees. Fees shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule provided in the Zoning Code, Appendix C (Fee Schedule).
(2) Sign code permit tags. Sign code permit tags, which shall include the address of the property on which the sign is located, permit number, date installed, and the name of the installation company or person, shall be affixed to each new sign permitted pursuant to this chapter. Sign code compliance permit tags shall be affixed in a location readily visible on the sign and shall be supplied by the installation company or person.
(3) Sign code permit approval. Approval by the Development Services Department shall be based on evidence of compliance with applicable standards in this chapter, any signage related provisions required by Chapter 155, Zoning Code, and in an approved master sign program, if applicable.
(B) Sign code compliance permit application submittal requirements.
(1) Application submittal. Before any sign code compliance permit is issued, a written application, in the form provided by the city, shall be filed, together with such drawings and specifications as are necessary to demonstrate that the sign complies with the requirements of this chapter and any signage related provisions required by Chapter 155, Zoning Code, including but not limited to the location, construction, materials, manner of illuminating, method of securing or fastening, the number of signs applied for, any existing signs on the premises, and the consent of the property owner. Applications for freestanding and projecting signs shall also include a fully dimensioned site plan, to scale, indicating the proposed height of the sign(s) and the property lines, rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks, overhead utility lines, parking areas, and any building or structures on the premises, details of the surrounding landscaping, and a sealed survey of the property on which the sign is to be displayed.
(2) Determination of complete application. All sign code compliance permit applications shall be submitted to the Development Services Department. Upon the submission of a sign code compliance permit application, the city shall have ten days to determine whether the application is complete. If the city finds that the application is not complete, the city shall provide the applicant with written notice of the deficiencies within the ten-day period. Upon resubmission of the application, the city shall have ten additional days to determine whether the applicant's revisions are sufficient to complete the application. If they are not, the city will again inform the applicant of any remaining deficiencies in writing. This process shall continue until the applicant has submitted a complete application, or demands that the application be reviewed "as is."
(3) Permit approval or denial. The city shall approve or deny the sign code compliance permit based solely on whether it complies with the requirements of this chapter, and any signage related provisions required by Chapter 155, Zoning Code. The city shall approve or deny the sign code compliance permit within 30 days after receipt of a complete application. In the event that the Development Services Department fails to timely render a final determination on a sign code compliance permit application, the applicant may erect and maintain the sign proposed in the application.
(4) Appeal provisions. If the sign code compliance permit application is denied, the city shall prepare a written notice of its decision, describing the applicant's appeal rights, and send it to the applicant. The applicant may file a written notice of appeal to the City Commission within 30 days after the date of receipt of the city's written notice. The City Commission shall hold a public hearing at the next available Commission meeting that is at least 25 days after the date of receiving the written notice of appeal, at which the City Commission shall determine whether the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter. If the City Commission does not approve the application, then the applicant may seek relief in the Circuit Court for Broward County, as provided by law.
(C) All non-commercial signs are exempt from this section but shall adhere to all other applicable provisions of this chapter.
('58 Code, § 50.311) (Ord. 81-13, passed 12-2-80; Am. Ord. 82-1, passed 10-20-81; Am. Ord. 83-24, passed 1-25-83; Am. Ord. 89-35, passed 1-24-89; Am. Ord. 2002-21, passed 1-8-02; Am. Ord. 2004-19, passed 1-27-04; Am. Ord. 2011-29, passed 3-8-11; Am. Ord. 2013-31, passed 12-11- 12; Am. Ord. 2017-29, passed 2- 28-17; Am. Ord. 2019-75, passed 7-9-19) Penalty, see § 10.99