§ 17.07.060. Administration, permits, and appeals.

A.

Sign Permit Required. A sign permit shall be required prior to the placing, erecting, moving or reconstructing of any sign in the City, unless the subject sign is expressly exempted from the permit requirement by this Chapter or other applicable law. Signs requiring a permit shall comply with the provisions of this Chapter and all other applicable laws and ordinances.

B.

Permit—Method of Application. An application for a sign permit shall be made on forms as prescribed by the Director. Such an application shall be filed with the Planning Department. The application shall be accompanied by any fees or bonds as specified by City Council resolution.

C.

Permit Application—Contents. A sign permit application shall contain the location by street and number of the proposed sign structure, as well as the name and address of the owner and the sign contractor or erector. Three copies of the plans, fully dimensioned, shall be filed with the application, including:

1.

Plot plan, fully dimensioned, showing location of all buildings and improvements and the location of each proposed sign together with the location, size and height of all existing signs on the premises/site. The street frontage shall be clearly indicated on the plan.

2.

Elevation plan, fully dimensioned, showing height and size of each proposed sign, colors, method of illumination and materials of construction, and if a wall sign, the exact location on the face of the building.

3.

Structural details and circulations prepared and signed by an engineer or architect registered in the State. Such details shall be required when the area of the sign exceeds five square feet and the height of the sign exceeds six feet.

4.

A statement by the owner of the proposed sign as to whether the sign is to display commercial or noncommercial messages, or both, and whether the display face will be permanent, changeable, or a permanent structure with changeable elements. If the proposed sign is to be used to display commercial messages, then the applicant shall also state whether the message is to be onsite or offsite.

D.

Purpose and Method of Review. The purpose of a permit is to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. After receipt of a complete sign application, the Director shall render a decision to approve, approve with modifications or conditions, or deny the sign request within 15 working days. Unless the applicant waives time, failure of the Director to issue a written decision within 15 working days shall constitute denial of the application. Such a review shall ensure that any sign proposal is in conformance with this Chapter and is consistent with its intent and purpose. In the event that the application is approved with modifications or conditions, those requirements shall not be based upon the proposed message content, sign copy, or design of the visual display of the sign.

E.

Appeals. All sign permit applications shall be initially reviewed by the Director. When the Director issues a decision on a sign permit application, or when the time for doing so has expired without a written decision, then the applicant or any concerned person may appeal first to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. Appeal is effected by filing a written notice thereof with the City Clerk, and paying the applicable appeal fee as set by Resolution of the City Council. In each case, written notice of appeal must be filed with the City Clerk within ten days of when the decision was delivered or sent to applicant and all known concerned persons, or the last day on which a decision should have been timely rendered. In each case, the appellate body must conduct a hearing and consider evidence, and render a written decision within 30 days. In the cases of appeal to the Planning Commission and the City Council, the hearing must follow normal procedures for agendizing and giving public notice. Unless time is waived by the applicant, any permit or approval on which the City does not render a definite decision within the required time shall be deemed denied, and the time for appeal or filing judicial review shall commence on the last date on which the City could have issued a decision.

F.

Judicial Review. Following final decision by the City Council, any concerned person may seek judicial review of the final decision on a sign permit application pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.8.

G.

Multiple Sign Applications. When an application proposes two or more signs, the application may be granted either in whole or in part, with separate decisions as to each proposed sign. When an application is denied in whole or in part, the Director's written notice of determination shall specify the grounds for such denial.

H.

Revocation or Cancellation. The Director shall revoke any approval upon refusal of the holder thereof to comply with the provisions of this Chapter and/or the terms or conditions of any permit, after written notice of noncompliance and at least 15 days opportunity to cure.

I.

Permits Issued in Error. Any approval or permit issued in error may be summarily revoked at any time before substantial work in reliance upon the permit has been accomplished, by the City upon written notice to the holder of the reason for the revocation.

J.

Interpretation of Provisions. Whenever the application of this Chapter is uncertain, the Director may refer the matter to the Planning Commission for determination. All interpretations are to be made in light of the Basic Policies section of this Chapter.

K.

Variances. Applications for a variance from the terms of this Chapter shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission according to the variance procedures set forth in the Zoning Ordinance; however, variances shall be considered without reference to the proposed content, copy, or message of the proposed sign (other than the onsite/offsite distinction for commercial messages).

L.

Uniform Sign Program. All applications for approval of signs in a shopping center, commercial, industrial or office complex, a group of three or more businesses on a parcel or project site or for commercial recreation uses shall be submitted in the form of Uniform Sign Program accompanied by sketches and drawings to scale and dimensions showing details of construction, including connections and electrical plans, if any, and shall delineate the typical size, shape, design, material, coloring, lettering, lighting and position of the signage in relationship to the building form or place where it will be displayed. Scaled sketches of existing signs on the premises shall accompany the application.

M.

Motorists' Line of Sight. All sign locations shall be safe for traffic sight purposes. A sight distance study may be required with each monument or pylon sign being proposed in the Uniform Sign Program when located next to any right-of-way, sidewalk, driveway, or as designated by the Planning Director.

N.

Program Approval. All sign programs shall be filed and reviewed as provided in this Chapter. Such Uniform Sign Programs shall be developed in full compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. No sign shall be installed which does not conform to the approved Uniform Sign Program.

(Ord. 920 §2, 9/2007)