A.

Permit Required. A sign permit shall be obtained from the planning department prior to the placing, erecting, moving or displaying of any sign, including painted wall signs, unless exempted by Section 17.44.040. A sign permitted shall also be obtained prior to the reconstruction, or alteration of existing signs. A permit shall not be required to change removable lettering of an existing approved sign. In most cases, a building permit and/or electrical permit shall be required.

B.

Application Procedures. Application for sign permits shall be made on forms provided by the planning department and shall be accompanied by the following material:

1.

Sign elevation and lighting (must indicate overall and letter/figure dimensions, materials, illumination and/or movement characteristics);

2.

Site plan (must indicate all signs existing or proposed for site with dimensions, materials, illumination and/or movement characteristics for each sign) and dimensions of site and location of signs;

3.

Building elevations with signs depicted;

4.

Such other information as the planning director may reasonably required in order to determine compliance with all provisions of this code.

C.

Review of Sign Application.

1.

The planning department shall review all sign applications within fourteen calendar days of filing. The staff shall approve, approve with modification, or deny any application in accordance with the provisions established by this chapter. Any staff decision may be appealed in manner provided by this code.

2.

No activity with nonconforming signing may be authorized additional signing except as a replacement of said nonconforming signing with signs that comply with the provisions of this chapter.

3.

When approved, a copy of the approved application signed by the planning director or his designee shall indicate compliance.

D.

Sign Permit Fees. No sign permit shall become valid until the applicant has paid such sign fee as may be established by resolution of the city council.

E.

Expiration of Permit. Any permit not used within one hundred eighty days of issuance is invalid. A ninety-day extension may be granted by the planning director.

F.

Variances. See Chapter 17.48.

G.

Appeals. Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the planning department may appeal such decision to the planning commission, serving written notice to the planning director within ten days of such decision. The planning department shall take no further action on the matter pending the decision of the planning commission, except in the case of unsafe signs which present an immediate and serious danger to the public, as provided in Section 17.44.040. The planning commission at a regular or special meeting shall consider the appeal and render a decision. Such decision may be further appealed in writing to the city council by filing an appeal within ten calendar days of the planning commission's decision with the city clerk. The city shall hear the appeal at a regular or special meeting and its decision on the matter shall be final.

(Ord. No. 860, § 1, 7-2-2024)