(a) Sign Permit Required. It is unlawful for any person to erect, alter, or structurally change a sign (unless the sign is specifically exempt per Section 1222.04
: Exempt Signs), without first obtaining a permit from the Building and Engineering Department. Any sign that makes use of electricity must, in addition to a sign permit, have an electrical permit.
(b) Review Process.
(1) Application. Applications for a sign permit are made to the Building and Engineering Department and at least contain the following:
A. The name, address, email, and telephone number of the applicant.
B. Letter of approval, which outlines the consent of the property owner, if different from the applicant.
C. The location of the building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is attached to or erected on.
D. Photographs showing the location of the proposed sign.
E. Two sets of plans and specifications indicating the method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.
F. A copy of the stress sheets and calculations showing the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by the current Michigan Building Code. Where the Building Official deems necessary, a registered engineer must approve the structural design.
G. The name of the person or company erecting the structure.
H. An elevation of the proposed sign with dimensions, materials, colors, and wording.
I. Any other information deemed necessary by the City to ensure compliance.
(2) Building Official review. The Building Official reviews all final sign applications and determines if the proposed request meets all the requirements.
(c) Master Sign Plans. Within a project, buildings, or clusters of buildings, that have more than one tenant must submit a master sign plan with the sign permit application. The master sign plan must include the location, area, height, color, and font of all ground and wall signs, including the area designated for individual tenant signs. Elevations of ground signs must be included. The sign plan must be designed so that it establishes a common theme or design, uses similar construction methods, and is compatible in color, size, and scale.
(d) Fees. Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, a fee must be paid, as set forth in Chapter 210
: Uniform Fee Schedule.
(e) Inspections.
(1) Signs for which a permit has been issued are inspected by the Building Official once erected. Approval is granted only if the sign is constructed in compliance with the approved plans and all applicable Zoning and Building Code standards.
(2) Periodically, the Building Official may inspect signs for the purpose of ascertaining whether the sign needs repair or removal.
(f) Permit Revocation and Expiration. All rights and privileges acquired by any person under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked upon violation of any of the conditions herein. If the work authorized under a permit has not been started within six-months after the date of issuance, the permit is null and void.
(g) Appeals. Any person filing an application for a permanent or temporary sign permit who feels they have been aggrieved by the decision of the Building Official may appeal such decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)