El Centro Municipal Code Div. 1 Sign Permit Process

(a) Certain sign types are expressly prohibited within the city as described in section 22.1-56.

(b) The community development director will determine if a sign permit is required depending on type, size, and height of proposed sign.

(c) Other sign types also may require issuance of other permits or approval by other city officials or bodies, in addition to, or in-lieu of, a sign permit as described in section 22.1-39 (such as garage sale signs, sidewalk vendor signage, mobile food vendor signage and banner signs).

(d) Prior to the construction or posting of a permanent sign within the city, a building permit (also called a "sign permit") for the sign shall be approved by the community development director, unless the sign is specifically exempted from the sign permit requirements of this chapter. Table 22.1-1 summarizes which sign types require the issuance of a sign permit and which are exempt from the sign permit requirements.

(e) Painting, repainting, or cleaning of any permanent sign structure or replacement of sign copy shall not be considered an erection or alteration that requires a permit.

(f) All sign permit applications shall include two (2) copies of a plot plan and sign layout showing size of sign, size of letters, and background area.

(g) A sign permit fee and plan checking fee shall be paid in accordance with the schedule established by resolution of the city council at the time of sign permit application.

(h) All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to full and complete structural and safety inspections by the city, including but not limited to footing inspections.

(i) All signs may be re-inspected by the city at any time to insure structural integrity and safety.

(j) The community development director may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

The following sign types or modifications also require issuance of other permits or approvals by other city officials or bodies, in addition to a sign permit as described below:

(a) Electrical permit required. In addition to a sign permit, an electrical permit approved by the assistant community development director shall be obtained for all electrical signs. All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the latest edition of the California Electrical Code adopted by the city and the electrical components shall bear the label of the Underwriter's Laboratory.

(b) Encroachment permit required. In addition to a sign permit, signs that obstruct the free passage or use of any portion of the public right-of-way including a roadway, street, alley, or sidewalk require approval of an encroachment permit by the city engineer in accordance with section 23-3 of the City Code.

(c) Garage sale permit required. Garage sale signage may be posted only by or at the explicit direction of the holder of a valid garage sale permit and subject to the requirements of City Code section 16-410 and the garage sale permit.

(d) Banner signs and windfeather signs. Banner signs, including but not limited to windfeather banner/flag signs are subject to a one-time sign permit fee.

(e) Administrative committee approval required. In addition to a sign permit, the following modifications to sign requirements require the review and approval of the city's administrative committee: modifications to the size and location requirements of private directional signs as required by table 22.1-1, pole-mounted or freestanding signs within a required building setback area, identification signs that exceed the allowed size of a sign on a secondary street frontage, and murals.

Discretionary actions taken by the administrative committee may be appealed to the planning commission. All such appeals must be in writing and shall be filed with the city clerk within ten (10) days of the decision of the administrative committee. The determination of the planning commission shall be final.

(f) City council approval is required for signs not directly listed in this chapter by amendment of this chapter by the city council to allow such signs.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Denial of a sign permit (where required) may be appealed to the administrative committee. All such appeals shall be filed within ten (10) days of decision and may require payment of a permit fee.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)