§ 38-22. Application and issuance of permits.

(a)

Applications for sign permits shall be filed by the sign owner or his agent with the zoning administrator or his designee upon forms furnished by the county. Applications shall describe and set forth a minimum of the following:

(1)

The type and purpose of the sign.

(2)

The value of the sign.

(3)

The street address and zoning designation of the property upon which the sign is to be located and the proposed location of the sign on the property.

(4)

The square foot area per sign and the aggregate square foot area if there is more than one sign face.

(5)

The names and addresses of the owner of the real property upon which the subject sign is to be located.

(6)

Written consent of the owner or his agent granting permission for the placement of the sign.

(7)

A sketch or print drawn to scale showing all dimensions with pertinent information such as wind pressure requirements and display materials in accordance with the technical codes adopted by the county and showing any other data deemed necessary by the zoning administrator.

(8)

Name, address, phone number and business license number of the sign contractor.

(9)

A written agreement to indemnify and hold the county harmless of all damages, demands or expenses of every type which may in any manner be caused by the sign structure.

(b)

Within five working days of submission, the zoning administrator shall inform the applicant of any information or documents necessary for completion of an application. Until such time as the application is complete, the county will not consider the application properly filed.

(c)

Once the application is determined complete, the zoning administrator shall within ten working days issue a written decision on the application, as follows:

(1)

Grant approval of the sign permit application and issue a permit if the zoning administrator finds that the application complies with the standards of this chapter.

(2)

Deny a permit if the zoning administrator finds that the application should not be granted for any of the following reasons:

a.

The sign applied for fails to comply with the structural or design requirements in this chapter.

b.

The sign applied for fails to meet the sign location or orientation requirements in this chapter.

c.

The sign applied for fails to meet the type of sign permitted by this chapter.

d.

The sign applied for fails to meet the sign display requirements in this chapter, including, but not limited to, lighting requirements and sign face requirements.

e.

The sign applied for fails to meet the restrictions for the type of sign permitted by this chapter.

f.

The sign applied for is a prohibited sign under the terms of this chapter.

g.

The sign applied for fails to meet the dimensional, including size, requirements in this chapter.

h.

The sign applied for exceeds the maximum number of signs permitted by this chapter.

i.

The sign applied for fails to meet the placement requirements in this chapter.

(d)

If the zoning administrator determines the application fails to comply with the standards of this chapter, the applicant shall be provided a written notification with an explanation of why the application has been denied. If the applicant resubmits the application within 60 days of the written notification of denial, the resubmitted application does not require payment of the fee. The time for resubmission may be extended an additional 30 days for good cause, if requested of the zoning administrator prior to the original deadline for resubmittal.

(e)

A revised application shall be reviewed pursuant to the same procedures for receipt and review of the original application.

(f)

A sign permit shall become null and void if the sign for which the permit was issued has not been installed and completed within 120 days after the date of issuance; provided, however, that when an applicant can demonstrate that a commercial entity was timely engaged to construct the permitted sign, but the fabrication has not yet been completed, the zoning administrator may grant one 30-day extension. No refunds will be made for permit fees paid for permits that expired due to failure to erect a permitted sign. If later an applicant desires to erect a sign at the same location, a new application must be submitted and another fee paid in accordance with the fee schedule applicable at such time.

(g)

Sign permits shall be issued in the name of the property owner upon which the sign is to be located. Issuance of the permit shall in no way prevent the county from later declaring said sign to be nonconforming if the permit is obtained based on false information submitted by the applicant.

(h)

No person shall erect or assist in the erection, construction, maintenance, alteration, relocation, repair or painting of, or do any work upon any sign which violated any provisions of this chapter. Any such sign shall be illegal, and the zoning enforcement officer shall order the owner to remove the same immediately. If the owner fails to remove the same within 30 days, the zoning enforcement officer shall proceed in accordance with this chapter.

(i)

All signs for which a permit is required by this chapter are subject to inspection by the zoning enforcement officer.

(j)

The county is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any sign permit upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with the provisions of this section within 30 days after notification in writing.

(k)

Before any permit is issued under the provisions of this section, the applicant shall pay a fee as follows:

**** See Chapter 18 Section 19 for a schedule of fees for sign permits

(Ord. of 1-24-2012)