If a sign requiring a permit under the provisions of this section is to be placed, constructed, erected, or modified on a zoning lot, the owner of the lot shall secure a sign permit prior to the construction, placement, erection, or modification of such sign in accordance with the requirements of this section. Furthermore, the property owner shall maintain in force, at all times, a sign permit for such signs in accordance with § 159.131. No signs shall be erected in the public rights-of-way except in accordance with § 159.125 and the permit requirements of § 159.133. No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with the requirements of this Code (including those protecting existing signs) in every respect and with the Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan in effect for the property.
(A) Permit procedures. The following procedures shall govern the application for, and issuance of, all sign permits under this ordinance, and the submission and review of a Master or Common Signage Plan.
(1) Application. All applications for sign permits of any kind and for approval of a Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator, or his or her duly authorized agent, on the application form or in accordance with application specifications published by the village.
(2) Fees. Each application for a sign permit or for approval of a Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the governing body of the village from time to time by resolution.
(3) Completeness of application. Within five business days of receiving an application for a sign permit or for a Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan, the Zoning Administrator shall review it for completeness. If the Zoning Administrator finds that it is complete, the application then shall be processed. If the Zoning Administrator finds it to be incomplete, the Zoning Administrator shall, within the five business days, send notice to the applicant of the deficiencies, with appropriate references to the applicable sections of this ordinance.
(4) Decisions. Within seven business days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Zoning Administrator shall either:
(a) Issue the sign permit, if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application conforms in every respect with the requirements of this section and of applicable Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan; or
(b) 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 this section and of the applicable Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan. In case of rejection, the Zoning Administrator shall specify in the rejection the section or sections of the Code or applicable plan with which the sign(s) is inconsistent.
(5) Action on Plan.
(a) On any application for approval of a Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan, the Zoning Administrator shall take action on the applicable one of the following dates:
1. Fourteen business days after the submission of a complete application if the application is for signs for existing buildings; or
2. On the date of final action on any related application for building permit, site plan, or development plan for signs involving new construction.
(b) On or before such applicable date, the Zoning Administrator shall either:
1. Approve the proposed plan if the sign(s) as shown on the plan and the plan itself conforms in every respect with the requirements of this section; or
2. Reject the proposed plan if the sign(s) as shown on the plan or the plan itself fails in any way to conform to the requirements of this section. In case of a rejection, the Zoning Administrator shall specify in the rejection the section or sections of the Code with which the plan is inconsistent.
(B) Permits to construct or modify signs. Signs to be erected, installed, or created only in accordance with a properly issued and authorized building permit from the Building Inspector. Such permits shall be issued only in accordance with the following requirements and procedures:
(1) Permit for modification of existing signs. No application or permit shall be required for the replacement or simple face changing of signs currently established on the zone lot. An application and fee shall be required if additional signs are being requested or current signs are being changed with regards to size or height.
(2) Permit for new sign. An application for construction, creation, or installation of a new sign or for modification of an existing sign shall be accompanied by detailed drawing to show the dimensions, design, structure, and location of each particular sign, to the extent that such details are not contained on a Master Sign Plan or Comprehensive Sign Plan then in effect for the zone lot. One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same zone lot.
(C) Inspections. The Zoning Administrator shall cause an inspection of the zone lot for which each permit for a new sign or for modification of an existing sign during the sixth month after the issuance of such permit or at such earlier date as the owner may request. If the construction is not substantially complete at the time of the inspection, the permit shall lapse and become void. If the construction is complete and in full compliance with this section and with the building and electrical codes of the village, the Zoning Administrator shall affix to the premises a permanent symbol identifying the sign(s) and applicable permit by number or other reference. If the construction is substantially complete but not in full compliance with this section and applicable codes of the village, the Zoning Administrator shall give the owner or applicant notice of the deficiencies and shall allow an additional 30 days from the date of inspection for the deficiencies to be corrected. If the deficiencies are not corrected by such date, the permit shall be voided. If the construction is then complete, the Zoning Administrator shall affix to the premises the permanent symbol described above.
(D) Temporary sign permits. Temporary signs shall be allowed only upon the issuance of a temporary sign permit, which shall be issued subject to the following requirements:
(1) Term. A temporary sign permit shall allow the use of a temporary sign for a specified 30 day period.
(2) Number of permits. A maximum of one temporary sign permit shall be issued to the same business license holder in any one calendar year.
(Ord. 15-1190, passed 9-16-15; Am. Ord. 22-1794, passed 9-21-22)