(a) Compliance with this Chapter. No person shall erect, locate, move, alter, or replace any sign or cause a sign to be located or maintained, unless all provisions of this Chapter have been met.
(b) Signs Requiring a Permit. To ensure compliance with these regulations, a permit shall be obtained for all signs, unless specifically exempted below. All temporary ground signs and banner signs, except ideological signs, shall be registered with the Department of Building, Zoning and Housing on forms provided by the Department of Building, Zoning and Housing.
(c) Application Requirements.
(1) An application for a permit shall be made to the Building Commissioner on the form provided and in the manner required.
(2) When any person other than the owner of the property submits an application, the owner of the property or an authorized agent for the owner shall also sign such application.
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by drawings to scale, showing:
A. The design and layout proposed including the total area of the sign, the size, character and color of letters, lines and symbols.
B. The method of illumination, if any.
C. The exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property.
D. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachment as may be required by the Ohio Basic Building Code.
(4) Applicants shall, when required pursuant to this Section, submit a Sign Plan for review and approval by the Architectural Board of Review.
A. A Sign Plan shall be required for all multi-occupant buildings and shall be submitted by the owner of a multi occupant building whenever:
1. A new multi-occupant building is constructed; or
2. An existing building is renovated, or remodeled and after the renovation or remodeling, there is more than one occupant that occupies the remodeled or renovated building; or
3. When a replacement sign is proposed for an existing multi-occupant building.
B. The Sign Plan shall create a set of specific standards for sign design and placement on the proposed building, and on the site.
C. The Sign Plan shall include the following:
1. Building sections and elevations drawn at an appropriate scale.
2. Computation of the maximum total sign area and the maximum area of signs for individual storefronts or building units affected by the Sign Plan.
3. An accurate indication on the elevation/section drawings of the location of each existing and proposed sign.
D. The Sign Plan shall specify one or more standards for consistency among all signs on the multi-occupant building(s) included in the Sign Plan with regard to and in the priority of the elements listed below:
1. Uniform sign placement and/or sign height;
2. Uniform size and/or shape;
3. Type of sign construction (materials) and letter components (i.e., sign panel vs. raised letters) and framing;
4. Type of lighting, and the type of lighting fixtures, if any;
5. Uniform background colors or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary background colors, and/or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary colors for the sign lettering.
E. The complexity of the Sign Plan shall be based on the level of variety/cohesiveness of the building architecture and the surrounding area. When a building exhibits a high degree of architectural uniformity, the Sign Plan should require a high degree of consistency among sign elements and, therefore, should specify standards for most or all of the elements set forth in subsection (D) above.
(d) Sign Review.
(1) The Architectural Board of Review shall review and act on applications for permanent signs that exceed two (2) square feet, according to the standards set forth in this Chapter and the review procedures for development plan review set forth in this Code.
(2) The Building Commissioner shall review all temporary signs, except as otherwise specifically exempted below.
(3) The erection of the following signs shall not require a permit provided that all applicable regulations of this Chapter are complied with:
A. Signplates for residential uses;
B. Temporary signs;
(e) Referral of Applications to the Architectural Board of Review. The Building Commissioner, upon receiving an application, shall examine such plans, specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure.
(1) If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with this Chapter and all other ordinances of the City, the application shall be referred to the Architectural Board of Review, when its approval must be obtained before the permit is issued.
A. The Architectural Board of Review has the discretion to waive the submission of any items as deemed appropriate.
B. When approved by the Architectural Board of Review, the application shall be returned to the Building Commissioner, who shall issue the permit.
C. If the work authorized under a permit has not been completed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, the Building Commissioner shall not issue a permit in connection with any application referred to the Architectural Board of Review for review unless the Board approves the same. The Board shall conduct such review as a matter over which it has original jurisdiction.
(Ord. 3-2006. Passed 2-28-06.)