Chapter 20.12 — PERMITS

• For City districts see Title 23, Zoning.

No person shall construct, erect, alter or relocate a sign without first obtaining a sign permit, except as otherwise provided in Section 20.12.020. (Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

The following signs shall not require a sign permit:

A. Signs permitted in ES-R, R-1 and R-1A districts pursuant to Section 20.20.020.A;

B. Signs permitted in R-2 and R-2A districts pursuant to Section 20.20.030.A;

C. Signs permitted in R-3 districts pursuant to Section 20.20.040.A.1 and 2;

D. Signs permitted in R-4 and R-5 districts pursuant to Section 20.20.050.A.1, except signs at hospitals;

E. Bulletin boards as provided in Section 20.16.060;

F. Temporary signs pursuant to Sections 20.16.010, 20.16.070, and 20.20.020.A;

G. Traffic, directional, warning, or informational signs required or authorized by a public utility or common carrier;

H. Notices or signs required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation;

I. Signs located entirely within or affixed to structures that are not visible from the public right-of-way or another property; and

J. Murals.

K. In addition, on-premises signs in nonresidential districts that conform to the requirements of the applicable chapter of this title may be installed for any permitted use, for a period of thirty (30) days, or until a permanent on- premises sign is approved, whichever is shorter. (Ord. 7120-NS § 6, 2009; Ord. 6474-NS § 12, 1999; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. Application for a sign permit shall be made to the building official in writing on a form approved by said official and shall contain the following:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the owners of the premises upon which the sign is or will be located;

2. Name, address and telephone number of applicant;

3. Name, address and telephone number of the sign contractor, if any;

4. The street address of the premises upon which the sign is or will be located and the dimensions of the building, if any, and its location on the premises;

5. Two copies of the plans, specifications and scale drawings showing the design, size, structural and electrical details and other calculations, if any, and the location or proposed location of the sign on the building to which it is or will be attached or on the premises upon which it is or will be located;

6. Such other technical or structural information as the building official may require.

B. The application shall be signed by the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises upon which the sign is or will be located or their authorized agent or representative. (Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

The Council may establish permit fees by resolution. (Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

Application for illuminated and electric signs shall, in addition to the requirements of Sections 20.12.030 and 20.12.040, be accompanied by the application and payment of fees as required by the Electrical Code of the City. (Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. Applications for proposed signs or alteration/relocation of existing signs are subject to review by the Director of Planning and Development or their designee, including specifications for compliance with all requirements of this title.

B. The Building Official shall determine if a sign requires a Building Permit or Electrical Permit to meet the requirements of the Berkeley Building Code.

C. A building permit and/or an electrical permit for a sign subject to Design Review pursuant to Section 23.406.070 shall not be issued until Design Review approval has been granted and the permit has been found in conformance with the approved design.

D. A Coordinated Sign Design Program may, at the applicant’s discretion, be reviewed and approved simultaneously with or subsequent to Design Review for a building.

E. Exempt Signs.

1. Approved existing signs may be refaced, re-painted or replaced with the same location, size, and design,
subject to review by the Building Official in cases where a Building Permit is required.

2. Signs pursuant to a Coordinated Sign Design Program may be installed and replaced without Design
Review and shall be approved with a Zoning Certificate, subject to review by the Building Official in cases
where a Building Permit is required. (Ord. 7847-NS § 1, 2022; Ord. 7120-NS § 7, 2009; Ord. 6474-NS § 13, 1999;
Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. Any permit granted pursuant to this title which allows any projection upon or over the public right-of-way may be revoked by the City at any time and upon such revocation, the permittee or their successors or assigns shall forthwith remove such projection at their cost and expense and without any cost or expense whatsoever to the City.

B. Any person who is granted a permit pursuant to the provisions of this title which allows a projection upon or over the public right-of-way shall, by the issuance of such permit, thereby indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers and employees of and from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, actions or causes of action for injury or injuries to any person or persons or death or deaths of any person or persons or damage to property arising out of or occasioned in any way by the issuance of said permit, the work performed pursuant to such permit or the existence of such projection. The obligation of such indemnification and hold harmless shall be applicable to the successors and assigns of the permittee. (Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)