Article II — Permits

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to erect, alter, install, or relocate, or to direct or order a person in his or her employ to erect, alter, install, or relocate, a sign within the city without first obtaining a sign permit or permits from the chief building official. (Ord. 2013-0025 § 2; prior code § 3.03.040)

No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property or building without the consent of the owner, person entitled to possession of the property or building if any, or their authorized representatives. (Prior code § 3.03.041)

An application for a sign permit must be submitted to the chief building official upon a form provided by the city, must be accompanied by payment of all required fees, and must include the following information and documents:

A. Drawings to scale indicating the sign location, dimensions, and construction; the associated electrical wiring and components; and the method of attachment and the character of structural members to which the sign will be attached. The chief building official may also require that the applicant furnish additional information and documents, prepared by an engineer who is registered under the California Professional Engineers Act, concerning the structural design and proposed attachments.

• B. Any permits or other entitlements required under Title 17 of this code or required by other governmental entities with jurisdiction (e.g., Caltrans).

• C. Any other information and documents the chief building official may need to determine whether the proposed sign complies with all applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. 2013-0025 § 3; prior code § 3.03.042)

• A. Within thirty (30) days after submission of an application for a sign permit, the chief building official shall do one of the following:

1. If the chief building official determines that the proposed sign complies with all applicable laws and regulations, then the chief building official shall issue the permit.

2. If the chief building official determines that the application is incomplete or that the proposed sign does not comply with all applicable laws and regulations, then the chief building official shall issue a notice to the applicant that identifies the deficiencies. Within thirty (30) days after receiving the notice, the applicant may correct the deficiencies and resubmit the application without paying any additional fees, and the chief building official shall process the resubmission in the same way that new applications are processed. Only one resubmission is allowed. If the chief building official determines that a resubmitted application is still incomplete or that the proposed sign still does not comply with all applicable laws and regulations, then the application will be deemed denied.

• B. An application will be deemed denied if the chief building official does not act on it as required by subsection (A)(1) or (A)(2) within thirty (30) days after the application is submitted or resubmitted unless the applicant has waived the thirty (30) day requirement.

C. Every sign permit issued by the chief building official will expire if the work authorized by the permit is not commenced within sixty (60) days after the issuance date of the permit or if the work is suspended or abandoned for one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or more after the work is commenced. Before the work may be commenced or resumed after expiration, a new permit must first be obtained, and the fee therefor will be one-half the amount required for a new permit for the work, except as follows: if changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for the work, or if the suspension or abandonment exceeds one year, then the fee will be the same as the fee for a new permit.

D. The chief building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a sign permit whenever the permit is issued on the basis of a material omission or misstatement of fact or in violation of this chapter or any ordinance.

E. When deciding whether to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke a permit, the chief building official shall not consider the content or graphic design of messages other than to determine legality under federal or state law. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 1; Ord. 2013-0025 § 4; prior code § 3.03.043)

No permit for a sign issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain a public or private nuisance nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an action to abate a nuisance. (Prior code § 3.03.044)

Permits shall be subject to such fees as are specified by resolution of the city council relating to the building and electrical codes of the city; provided, however, that the minimum fee for a permit exclusive of any permit costs for electrical components, shall be as established by resolution of the city council. In addition, when any sign is hereafter erected, placed, installed or otherwise established on any property prior to obtaining permits as required by this chapter the fees therefor shall be doubled, but the payment of such double fee shall not relieve any person from complying with other provisions of this chapter or from penalties prescribed herein. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 2; prior code § 3.03.045)

A. A person or entity that erects, alters, installs, or relocates a sign shall notify the chief building official within three business days after completion of the work for which a sign permit or permits have been issued.

B. Upon receiving the notice, the chief building official shall inspect the sign and notify the person or entity that erected, altered, installed, or relocated the sign of any deficiencies. If all identified deficiencies are not cured to the chief building official's reasonable satisfaction within ten (10) days after the notice of deficiencies, then the chief building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke the sign permit. (Ord. 2013-0025 § 5; prior code § 3.03.046)