(a) The Building Commissioner:
(1) Shall have the power to review and approve, or disapprove, the following signs:
A. Directional with logo or emblem;
B. Identification;
C. Instructional;
D. Development identification;
E. Message;
F. Emblems;
G. Historical or commemorative markings; and
H. Billboards.
(2) May review:
A. Directional signs which have no logo or emblem;
B. Nameplates;
C. Temporary (other than real estate signs for single family sales);
D. Construction signs; and
E. Public regulation and information signs;
(3) Shall not have jurisdiction for review and approval of:
A. Political signs;
B. Single family real estate signs; or
C. Rental of room signs.
(b) Permit Application Requirements. An application for a sign permit shall be made to the Building Commissioner. The application shall include six copies; one copy depicting the actual colors of the building and sign (either drawing or photo) with the second copy at eleven by eighteen inch size and suitable for reproduction. The application shall present the sign in a manner which best illustrates how the sign will be experienced by the public after it is erected on the site. Specifically the application shall include:
(1) A site plan drawn to scale showing the location of the sign and its relationship to the building, the adjacent parcels, and parking lots, drives and sidewalks;
(2) Detailed drawings showing the design of the sign, including size, content, style of lettering, logo and other graphic features, colors of the applied lettering and background and materials of the signs and the frame of the structure; and
(3) Construction, erection or fastening details, including details of the base and/or the footings.
(c) Application Review Procedures.
(1) The Building Commissioner shall review the application submitted pursuant to subsection (b) hereof to assure that it complies with all applicable numerical submission standards of this chapter.
A. If the application, as determined by the Building Commissioner, does not so comply it shall be disapproved by the Building Commissioner and returned to the applicant with written notification indicating the sections with which the application does not apply.
B. Upon approval of an application, the Building Commissioner shall issue a sign permit, provided that the proposed sign(s) comply with all other applicable regulations.
C. If the sign application is disapproved by the Building Commissioner, the Building Commissioner shall convey his or her reasons for disapproval of the application, in writing, within five days. The Building Commissioner, in citing reasons for disapproval, may suggest modifications which, if incorporated by the applicant, could bring the sign into compliance with this chapter.
(d) Board of Zoning Appeals.
(1) Actions of the Building Commissioner, related to this chapter, may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. When considering an appeal, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall follow the criteria and procedures set forth in Chapter 1335 of the Codified Ordinances.
(2) The Board of Zoning Appeals may consider granting variances to this chapter when requested by the applicant. When considering such variances, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall:
A. Comply with the procedures for variances as set forth in the Zoning Code, Chapter 1335 of the Codified Ordinances;
B. Only grant a variance when a true hardship has been demonstrated through the application of the criteria in Chapter 1335 of the Codified Ordinances;
C. Not grant a variance solely for the purpose of assuring that the area of the proposed sign is similar to the area of adjacent nonconforming signs; and
D. Determine that a justified hardship does exist, and grant a variance, if a sign located according to the provisions of this chapter would present a health and safety hazard (most likely related to traffic considerations) and if placed in any other location complying with this chapter would severely restrict and reduce the usefulness of the sign for the intended purpose.
(Ord. 2019-03. Passed 1-14-19.)