Article 88-6.4 — Administration

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain a sign in the unincorporated area of the County without first obtaining a permit, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. A separate sign permit is required for each sign, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

(a)

If a permitted sign is modified, altered, or replaced, then a new or amended permit is required.

(b)

If any design element of a building or lot upon which a permitted sign is maintained is modified, altered, or replaced, and if the design element constituted a basis for the sign approval, then a new or amended permit is required.

(c)

If the physical structure of a permitted sign is changed, whether by repair, alteration, expansion, change in electrical supply, change in physical method of image presentation, change in dimension or weight, or similar factors, then a new or amended permit is required.

(d)

If only the copy or visual image on the display face of a sign is changed, a new or amended permit is not required.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

An application for a sign permit must be made in writing on a form approved by the director and must be accompanied by the required fee, in an amount established by the board of supervisors in the department's fee schedule.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

(a)

The zoning administrator will review all sign permit applications as provided in Section 26-2.1202.

(b)

A sign permit application will not be approved under any of the following circumstances.

(1)

Violation of this chapter. No sign permit will be approved if an illegal sign is located in violation of this chapter on the lot of the proposed sign, unless the violation will be corrected as part of the requested permit.

(2)

Other code violations. No sign permit will be approved if a code violation exists on the lot of the proposed sign, unless the violation will be corrected as part of the requested permit.

(3)

Failure to obtain other permits or approvals. No sign permit will be approved if the applicant has not obtained all other applicable permits and approvals required by this code.

(4)

Unpaid fee. No sign permit will be approved if the applicant has not paid the applicable permit fee.

(c)

If an applicant proposes two or more signs, the application may be granted either in whole or in part, with separate decisions as to each proposed sign. If an application is denied in whole or in part, the decision maker's written notice of decision will specify the grounds for the denial.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

Before approving a sign permit application, the zoning administrator must find that the following conditions are met.

(a)

The sign complies with the applicable regulations in this chapter.

(b)

The non-communicative aspects of the sign are compatible with the property where the sign is located and the surrounding area. Examples of non-communicative aspects of a sign include the form, proportion, architectural scale in relation to other nearby buildings and structures, materials, surface treatment, and overall sign size.

(c)

The location of the sign will not impair the use of the property or conflict with the visibility, location, or arrangement of existing adjacent signs.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

The denial or approval of a sign permit may be appealed pursuant to Article 26-2.24.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

A nonconforming sign lawfully existing as of the effective date of this chapter may be continued in use without expansion or alteration until any of the following occur:

(a)

The sign is voluntarily removed or relocated.

(b)

The sign is damaged or destroyed in excess of 50 percent of its reasonable market value at the time of damage or destruction.

(c)

The property is developed or redeveloped with new structures or additions to existing structures, and the total area of new structures and additions exceeds 25 percent of the existing developed area.

(d)

The size or configuration of the lot where the sign is located is changed by a subdivision of the lot.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

(a)

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain a sign contrary to the provisions of this code.

(b)

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain a sign in violation of federal or state law, including, but not limited to, the Outdoor Advertising Act.

(c)

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain an animated sign, mobile sign, moving sign, A-board sign, or sign that flashes, blinks, or rotates.

(d)

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain a sign that is:

(1)

Dilapidated;

(2)

Portable;

(3)

Attached to a fence;

(4)

Painted on or attached to a parked vehicle for purpose of advertising to the passing public;

(5)

Painted on a wall, bench, structure, or building;

(6)

Constructed of cloth or other flexible material, except for flags attached to a flagpole;

(7)

Supported by exposed wires or cables;

(8)

Designed, placed, or oriented for freeway exposure; or

(9)

Designed with external neon lighting.

(e)

No person may construct, place, display, or maintain a freestanding sign within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, or park.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

The following signs are exempt from the permit requirement of this chapter.

(a)

A sign of a governmental agency located and maintained for the purpose of traffic safety, including a traffic sign or similar regulating device or warning device.

(b)

A sign required to be maintained by law or regulation. If a sign is required to be maintained by law or regulation but the sign area is not specified in the law or regulation, the sign area may not exceed ten square feet.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)