1250.05 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS.
Except as otherwise regulated by 1250.03, Prohibited and Exempt Signs, permits are required for the erection of all permanent signs, including identification signs, directory signs, and auxiliary entry signs as permitted by Section 1250.07, Sign Regulations by District. Permits shall be applied for pursuant to all the requirements of this section.
A. Sign Permits Required.
1. From and after the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance, no person may erect, alter or relocate any of the signs listed in Section 1250.07, Sign Regulations by District, except for Temporary Signs, without first obtaining a permit from the Building Commissioner, approval from the Zoning Administrator, and paying the required fee.
2. Routine maintenance or changing parts of a sign shall not be considered an alteration of a sign, provided that the maintenance or change of parts does not alter the type of installation, surface area, height, or otherwise make the sign non-conforming.
B. Electrical Permit Required. In addition to complying with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance, all signs in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be regulated pursuant to the Shaker Heights Building Code. No illuminated sign may be approved by the Zoning Administrator under this Zoning Ordinance unless and until a permit has been issued by the Building Commissioner and approved by the Zoning Administrator under the procedures provided in the Building Code.
C. Permit Applications. Applications for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Building Commissioner.
D. Issuance of Permits.
1. The applicant shall submit the sign application to the Architectural Board of Review for its review and recommendations pursuant to the procedures and requirements set forth by Chapter 1309 of the Shaker Heights Municipal Code.
2. Upon submission of the application to the Architectural Board of Review, the Zoning Administrator shall review the application and determine if the proposed sign is in full compliance with the conditions of this Zoning Ordinance. If the proposed sign requires a variance or conditional use permit, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant. The applicant shall apply for the necessary approval, and the Zoning Administrator shall process the application according to the requirements established in Chapter 1213, Permit and Administrative Review Procedures, of this Zoning Ordinance.
3. The Building Commissioner, upon receiving notice of the Architectural Board of Review ’s approval, shall review applications for sign permits for completeness. The Building Commissioner shall request any such information considered necessary for the complete and adequate review of a sign permit application.
4. If the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable ordinances of the City, and has received the signatures of approval from both the Architectural Board of Review and the Zoning Administrator, and upon receipt of the appropriate permit fee, the Building Commissioner shall issue a permit for the proposed sign.
E. Validity of Permit. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within one (1) year after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
F. Permit Fee. A fee shall be paid with each application for a sign permit in accord with the current established fee schedule maintained by the Building Commissioner. If an electrical permit is required, an additional fee shall be paid for the cost of the electrical permit according to the established fee schedule maintained by the Building Commissioner.
G. Revocation. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance are mere licenses, revocable at any time by the authority which granted the permit. If the sign permit was granted pursuant to a Conditional Use Permit, then the City Council, on recommendation from the City Planning Commission, may revoke such permit for just cause. If the sign permit was granted pursuant to a Variance, then the Board of Zoning Appeals may revoke such permit for just cause. If just cause for revocation is shown for any other sign permit, the sign permit may be revoked by the Building Commissioner.
Figure 1250.01 Sign Permit Procedure.
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*If a Conditional Use Permit is needed, the applicant shall submit an application for such permit to the City Planning Commission. No further action on the sign permit shall be taken until such Conditional Use Permit is approved by the City Planning Commission and City Council. If a Zoning Variance is needed, the applicant shall submit an application for such variance to the Board of Zoning Appeals No further action on the sign permit shall be taken until such variance is approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
H. Failure to Obtain Permit. Any person who erects, alters or moves a permanent sign after the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance without obtaining a permit as required by Section 1250.05.A, Sign Permits Required, shall be subject to a penalty and or remedy as provided by Section 1214.05, Penalties and Remedies For Violations.