It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Inspector, as required in § 195-36. The changing of the lettering, wording and accompanying symbols on a sign shall not be considered an alteration within the meaning of these regulations so long as the sign size and type are not changed. Permits for all signs which require approval of the Board of Appeals shall be issued by the Building Inspector only upon approval of said Board.

All permits for real estate development and real estate direction signs shall be issued for a period of one year only, with the privilege of renewal by the Building Inspector, subject to the approval of the Board of Appeals. Permits for temporary business signs and seasonal use signs shall be issued by the Building Inspector for a period specified by the Board of Appeals in each case, but in no case for less than one year.

In acting on an application for a sign requiring its approval under this chapter, the Board of Appeals shall find that:

In acting on any application for a sign requiring its approval under this chapter, the Board of Appeals may require additional conditions and safeguards as a prerequisite to the issuance of a permit for such sign, which conditions and safeguards shall, in the Board's opinion, be required to protect the public interest and the intent of this chapter in the particular circumstances. No such sign shall be maintained except in conformity with the conditions and safeguards required by said Board.

If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign is unsafe, dangerous, defective or insecure or is a menace to the public or tends to endanger the safety of the public or has been constructed or created or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign may be removed, or altered to comply, by the Building Inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Inspector shall refuse to issue a permit for a new sign to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Building Inspector may cause any sign which appears to be an imminent danger to the safety of persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

Every sign as defined herein and hereafter erected shall have painted in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one inch in height, the date of erection and the permit number.

Any sign hereafter existing which shall cease to serve the purpose for which its permit has been issued shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or lot upon which such sign may be found within 10 days after written notification from the Building Inspector, and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such notice, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure or lot upon which such sign is attached.

No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or which makes use of the word "stop," "look," "drive-in," "danger" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.