§ 9-37.030. Sign Permit Requirements

No sign shall be installed, constructed, or altered unless it receives a Sign Permit or is allowed without a Sign Permit by Subsection (D), below.

A.

Fees and plans required. An application for a Sign Permit shall be filed and processed in compliance with Chapter 9-50 (Application Filing and Processing). The application shall include all required contents identified in the Department handout for Sign Permits (e.g., architectural elevations and plans of all proposed signs drawn to scale, with all dimensions noted, and include illustrations of copy, colors, materials, and samples of the proposed colors and materials) in addition to other materials determined to be necessary by the Director.

B.

Review and approval. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code to the contrary, upon a determination that an application is complete in accordance with Section 9-50.060, the Director shall approve, deny or refer the sign permit application to the Planning Commission within 20 business days. The Director or Commission shall issue a permit if it is found that the sign complies with the requirements and restrictions of the Development Code. The Director or Commission shall deny a sign permit if it is found that the sign is not in compliance with the provisions of this Code or if required, that the applicant has not received a building permit authorizing erection. Applications referred to the Commission shall be scheduled for the next available meeting, and if appealed, the next available City Council meeting, but in no event shall the available meeting be held more than 30 days after the application is deemed complete, or the appeal has been filed.

C.

Master Sign Program.

1.

When required. An approved Master Sign Program shall be required concurrently with the approval of the required discretionary permit for the following:

a.

All new nonresidential projects; and

b.

Major rehabilitation work on an existing nonresidential project that involves exterior remodeling. For the purposes of this Chapter, major rehabilitation means any project which requires a modification to the subject discretionary permit, in compliance with Sections 9-52.070 (Conditional Use Permits) and 9-52.050 (Planned Development Permits).

All signs installed or replaced within the nonresidential project shall comply with the approved Master Sign Program.

2.

Applicable review authority. A Master Sign Program shall be reviewed, and approved or disapproved by the applicable review authority for the land use permit required for a proposed development or new land use, when a Master Sign Program is required with the project application.

3.

Content of plan. A Master Sign Program shall provide standards for the style, size, and placement of signs within the proposed nonresidential project.

4.

Revisions. Revisions to a Master Sign Program may be approved by the Director if it is determined that the revision is minor, in compliance with Section 9-52.100 (Modification of an Approved Project), and that the intent of the original approval, and any applicable conditions are not affected. A new Master Sign Program approval shall be obtained for revisions that substantially deviate from the original approval.

5.

Requirement for permit. A sign permit in compliance with this Chapter is required for all signs approved under a Master Sign Program prior to installation.

D.

Signs allowed without a Sign Permit. The following are allowed without a Sign Permit, provided that they comply with Section 9-37.050 (General Requirements for All Signs), and any required Building Permit is obtained.

1.

Governmental signs and signs required by law. Signs placed by a governmental entity as required by federal, state, or local law. These signs shall not be illuminated unless required by law, and shall be of the size, height, and location required by law.

2.

Temporary commercial signs placed by charitable organizations. Temporary commercial signs placed by charitable organizations in compliance with this Chapter.

3.

Non-commercial signs. Non-commercial signs in compliance with this Chapter.

4.

Used Vehicle-Automobile sales lot signs. Used Vehicle-Automobile sales lots that have a Conditional Use Permit to sell used Vehicle-Automobiles exclusively may display up to two signs, up to twelve square feet in size each, on up to four parking lot light poles without a Sign Permit, fees, or limits on sign posting duration. Parking lot light pole signs must not be located in or above the public right-of-way, installed above the height of the light pole, or strung between light poles, automobiles, or landscaping.

(§ 4, Ord. 1092, eff. July 6, 2006, as amended by § 4 (Exh. A), Ord. No. 1205, eff. April 18, 2013)