Any installation, modification, or expansion of any sign which is not exempt from the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the following permit procedure.
1. Maintenance of Valid Sign Permit. The owner of a property containing signs requiring a permit under this Zoning Code shall at all times maintain in force a sign permit for such property. Sign permits may be issued for individual zoned lots, tenants, or sign owners. A sign permit may be revoked if the sign is not maintained in good condition.
2. Any ambiguity in this sign code should be resolved in favor of allowing the display of a proposed sign.
3. Any person who displays a sign in compliance with this code may substitute the message on that sign without first securing any additional approval, permitting, or notice, provided that any such substitution would not result in the sign becoming noncompliant.
4. Nothing in this code is intended or shall be construed so as to prevent the strengthening or restoration to a safe condition of a nonconforming sign for purposes of the public health and safety.
5. Sign Permit Applications. All applications for sign permits shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator in accordance with application specifications established by the ordinance.
6. Application Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by any applicable fees, which shall be established by the Council from time to time by resolution.
7. Action. Within ten working days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Zoning Administrator shall either:
A. Issue the sign permit, if the sign conforms to the provisions of this chapter, regardless of content of the sign.
B. Reject the sign permit if the sign that is the subject of the application fails in any way to conform with the requirements of this chapter, regardless of the content of the sign.
8. Permit Expiration. If a permanent sign is not constructed in accordance with an approved permit within six months of the date of approval, such permit shall lapse. Permits on non-permanent signs lapse in accordance with the timeline identified on the permit. After 60 days, permits are required to maintain temporary signs, or more than a single temporary sign with a maximum of two renewals.
9. Assignment of Sign Permits. A current and valid sign permit shall be freely assignable to a successor as owner of the property or holder of a business license for the same premises.