(a) Application.
(1) Application for permits to erect, place, paint, illuminate or alter a sign shall be made by the owner or lessee of the property for which a sign is proposed. The application shall be submitted on forms furnished by the City and shall be made either separately or with the application for a building permit. The fee for a sign permit shall be established by separate ordinance.
(2) A sign permit shall be required for all permanent signs as follows:
A. Residential Districts. If the sign exceeds six square feet in area.
B. Business Districts. If the total copy area of the sign exceeds fifteen square feet in area. A permit shall not be required for placing permanent signs on the surface of windows or doors. However, such signs may be ordered to be removed if the maximum gross area permitted is exceeded.
C. Industrial Districts. If the total area of the signs exceeds fifteen square feet.
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by drawings to scale, showing:
A. The design and layout proposed, including the total area of the sign, materials to be used, structural supports, and the size, character and color of letters, lines and symbols;
B. The method of illumination, including a description of electrical components, if any;
C. The exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property; and
D. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachments, which must meet the following requirements:
1. All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio Basic Building Code and the National Electrical Code.
2. No sign shall be suspended by non-rigid attachments that will allow the sign to sway in the wind.
3. All free-standing signs shall have a self-supporting structure erected on or permanently attached to concrete foundations.
4. Solid signs, other than wall signs, shall be designed to withstand a wind load of thirty pounds per square foot on any face, up to a sign height of twenty-five feet.
5. Skeleton signs, other than wall signs, shall be designed to withstand a wind load of thirty pounds per square foot of the total face area of the letters and other sign surfaces, or thirty pounds per square foot of the gross area of the sign as determined by the overall dimensions of the sign, whichever is greater.
6. Signs shall be located in such a way as to maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with National Electrical Code specifications, depending on voltages concerned. In no instance shall a sign be installed closer than twelve inches, horizontally or vertically, from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
7. No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
8. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except that signs may be erected in front of and may cover transom windows when not in violation of the provisions of the Building and Housing Code or Fire Prevention Code of the City.
9. The base of all permanent ground and monument signs shall be landscaped and the landscape design shall be approved by the Building Commissioner.
(b) Issuance and Denial. The Building Commissioner shall issue a permit and permit sticker for the erection, alteration or relocation of a sign within seven days of receipt of a valid application, provided that the sign complies with all applicable laws and regulations of the City. In all applications where a matter of interpretation arises, the more specific definition or higher standard shall prevail.
When a permit is denied by the Building Commissioner, a written notice will be provided to the applicant, along with a brief statement of the reasons for denial. The Building Commissioner may suspend or revoke an issued permit for any false statement or misrepresentation of fact in the application.
(c) Refund of Permit Fees; Conditions.
(1) If a permit is denied, the permit fee will be refunded to the applicant.
(2) If no inspections have been made and no work authorized by the permit has been performed, the permit fee, except for five dollars ($5.00), may be refunded to the applicant upon request, provided that the permit and permit sticker are returned to the Building Commissioner within thirty days of issuance.
(3) A permit issued by the Building Commissioner becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of its issuance. If work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, the permit must be renewed with an additional payment of one-half of the original fee.
(4) If any sign is installed or placed on any property prior to receipt of a permit, the specified permit fee shall be doubled. However, payment of the doubled fee shall not relieve any person of any other requirements or penalties prescribed in this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 48-2001. Passed 9-24-01.)