The following procedures shall govern the application for, and issuance of, all sign permits under this ordinance, and the submission and review of Common Signage Plans and Master Signage Plans. Prior to issuance of a permit, signs within the Architectural Board of Review District must be approved by the Architectural Board of Review. Such signs may be subject to different or more stringent criteria as adopted for the Architectural Board of Review District.
(a) Applications. Each application for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, and shall include the following information: For new development sites with more than three tenants, Plaza Signage Plan will be required.
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
(2) Drawings to an appropriate scale showing at a minimum:
A. The design and layout of the proposed sign, including the total area of the sign and the size, height, character, material and color of letters, lines, and symbols. If more that one sign face is proposed, separate information on each face shall be provided.
B. The exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property.
C. The method of illumination, if any.
(3) Details and specifications for the construction, erection and attachment of the sign.
(4) Name, address and telephone number of the sign contractor or company.
(5) Other information as may be required by the Planning and Zoning Administrator to ensure compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.
(6) For ground signs, a sign base landscaping plan.
(b) Completeness. Within thirty days of receiving an application for a sign permit or for a Common or Master Signage Plan, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall review it for completeness. If the Planning and Zoning Administrator finds that it is complete, the application shall then be processed. If the Planning and Zoning Administrator finds that it is incomplete, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall, within such thirty 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 ordinance.
(c) Action. Within thirty days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Planning and Zoning Administrator 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 ordinance and of the applicable Master or Common Signage Plan; 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 this ordinance and of the applicable Master or Common Signage Plan. In case of a rejection, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall specify in the rejection the section or sections of the ordinance or applicable plan with which the sign(s) is inconsistent. The applicant can appeal this decision to the Sign Board of Appeals.
(d) Inspection. The Planning and 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 is issued 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 inspection, the permit shall lapse and become void. If the construction is complete and in full compliance wit this ordinance and with the building and electrical codes, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall provide to the owner a certificate of compliance which contains a picture of the sign(s) and the applicable permit by number. A complete copy of this certificate will be kept on file with the Planning and Zoning Administrator. In addition, a copy of this certificate of compliance must be kept on the premises where the sign is located. If the construction is substantially complete but not in full compliance with this ordinance and applicable codes, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall give the owner or applicant notice of the deficiencies and shall allow an additional thirty (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 lapse. If the construction is then complete, the Planning and Zoning Administrator shall issue a certificate of compliance as described above.
(e) Renewal. Sign permits shall be issued for twelve (12) months. Sign permits are renewable annually upon submission of a renewal application form and the applicable fees. Renewal applications shall contain a representation by the applicant that no change in signage under the permit has been made or shall contain dimensions, drawings, and photos of any changes.
(f) Lapse of Sign Permit. A sign permit shall lapse automatically if not renewed. A sign permit shall also lapse if the business activity on the premises is discontinued for a period of 180 days or more.
(g) Assignment of Sign Permits. A current and valid sign permit shall be freely assignable to a successor as owner of the property at the same premises, subject only to filing such application as the Planning and Zoning Administrator may require and paying any applicable fee. The assignment shall be accomplished by filing and shall not require approval.
(Ord. 2003-27. Passed 5-5-03.)