(a)

A sign permit shall be required prior to installing, changing the height, increasing the area or structurally altering any sign for which a permit is required. Before such a permit is issued, an inspection shall be made to determine that the sign location complies with the provisions of this article.

(b)

As a condition to approval of a sign permit, all signs to be located along state road right-of-way shall obtain the proper state sign permit or written non-objection from the Indiana Department of Transportation, and a copy shall be provided to the enforcement official.

(c)

For an off-premise sign, written consent of the property's owner or legal representative shall be submitted with the application for a sign permit.

(d)

The sign permit shall be valid for a period of 90 days. The sign must be installed within that time period or the permit shall expire, provided the enforcement official may grant an extension for an additional 90 days. When a sign permit is issued in connection with an improvement location permit for a structure on the site, the sign permit shall run concurrent with the improvement location permit.

(e)

No permit shall be required for ordinary servicing or repainting of an existing sign message, cleaning of a sign, or changing the message on the sign where the sign is designed for such changes (such as lettering on a marquee or numbers on a gasoline price sign). Furthermore, a permit shall not be required for signs which are stated as being allowable without a permit.