(A) Permit for new sign or for sign modification.
(1) If a sign requiring a permit under the provision of §§ 156.130 et seq. is to be placed, constructed, erected, or modified on a lot, the owner or agent of the lot shall secure a sign permit prior to the construction, placement, erection, or modification of the sign in accordance with the following requirements. An application shall be accompanied by detailed drawings to show the dimensions, design, structure, height, and location of each particular sign. One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same lot. Double faced signs are permitted and considered a single sign structure.
(2) Requirements for a New Mexico Engineers Stamp and signed drawing for a new sign shall be based on:
(a) Relative hazard potential of sign location to passerby;
(b) Height of sign;
(c) Size or area of sign;
(d) Age of structure that sign may be attached to; and
(e) Type of material sign will be attached to.
(3) Electrical permits shall be obtained from the State of New Mexico for electric signs. No signs shall be erected in the public right-of-way except as provided herein. No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless the sign is consistent with the requirements of this chapter (excluding those signs covered and maintained under the Grandfather clause).
(B) Application for permit.
(1) Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the City Manager or duly designated officer. The application shall contain:
(a) Name and address of the owner and the sign contractor or erector and their licence number and city business registration number;
(b) Name and address and licence number of the electrician if sign has electrical parts;
(c) The location, by street and number, of the proposed sign structures including all existing sign structures;
(d) Site plan showing exact location of structure(s) to be placed on property;
(e) The total overall height of the sign(s) as described in § 156.133;
(f) The total overall square footage of each sign as described in § 156.133; and
(g) Declaration of cash value of sign structures.
(2) The building official may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information when the information is necessary to ensure compliance with §§ 156.130 et seq.
(C) Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the governing body of the city from time to time by resolution. The fee for sign permits and plans for the period beginning at the time of the adoption of §§ 156.130 et seq. are as follows: $15 per sign. Signs exempt from fees: all signs not requiring a city permit.
(D) Completeness.
(1) Within 6 days of receiving an application for a sign permit, the Director shall review it for completeness.
(2) If the Director finds that it is complete and in compliance with the code, the application shall then be processed.
(3) If the Director finds that it is not complete, the Director shall, within the 6-day period, send to the applicant a notice of the specific ways in which the application is deficient, with appropriate references to the applicable sections of this chapter.
(E) Action. Within 6 days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Director shall either:
(1) Issue the sign permit, if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application conforms in every respect with the requirements of this chapter; or
(2) Reject the sign permit if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application fails in any way to conform with the requirements of §§ 156.130 et seq. In case of a rejection, the Director shall specify in the rejection the section(s)of §§ 156.130 et seq. or applicable plan with which the signs(s) is inconsistent.
(F) Time allowance. If the work described in any sign permit has not begun within 2 years from the date of issuance thereof, the permit shall expire, it shall be canceled by the City Manager or his or her designee, and written notice thereof shall be given to the person or persons affected.
(Ord. 900, passed 2-22-2000)