The following signs do not require a permit but must meet the regulations in this section:

a)   Signs required or allowed by section 325.05, subd. 3.

b)   Temporary signs in residential districts as allowed by section 325.06, subd. 1(d)(1).

a)   No person may erect or install any of the following signs without first obtaining a permit from the community development director or designee:

b)   All permanent signs permitted in section 325.06 require a sign permit, unless specifically noted otherwise. The permit must be received prior to installation of the sign. The permit and inspection fee for all permanent signs is specified in city code section 710.

c)   All temporary signs permitted in section 325.06, require a temporary sign permit, unless specifically noted otherwise. The permit and inspection fee for permitted signs, banners, search lights, or inflatable advertising devices is specified in city code section 710.

a)   Application for a permit must be on a form provided by the city and must include the following information:

   1)   name and address of the owner of the sign;

   2)   street address or location of the property on which the sign is to be located, along with the name and address of the property owner;

   3)   the type of sign as defined in this section;

   4)   site plan showing the location of the proposed sign;

   5)   specifications and scale drawings showing the materials, design, dimensions, structural supports, method of attachment and electrical components of the sign;

   6)   plan showing the location and size of all existing signs located on the same premises upon city request;

   7)   sign permit fee as specified in city code section 710.

b)   The community development director or designee must approve or deny a sign permit application within 15 business days after a complete application is submitted. A decision must be made in writing and must be mailed or electronically delivered to the applicant at the address or email address provided in the application. If a permit is denied, the reason must be stated in writing.

c)   An applicant may appeal a denial by submitting a request in writing within 10 days after the decision was mailed or electronically delivered. The appeal must be scheduled for planning commission review as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days after the appeal was submitted. The applicant may appeal a planning commission denial by submitting a request in writing within 10 days after the decision. The appeal must be scheduled for city council review as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days after the appeal was submitted. All review of a sign permit application must be based solely on whether the application complies with city ordinances.

A variance from the regulations in this section requires a separate application, according to the procedures in section 300.07 of this code. The fee for application for variance from this section or approval of a sign plan for a development is specified in city code section 710.

A sign permit becomes null and void if the sign is not installed within 180 days after issuance of the permit, and a new application must be submitted.