San Diego Municipal Code Div. 8 Sign Permit Procedures

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

The purpose of these procedures is to establish the process for review of Sign Permit applications for proposed signs in the City. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

A Sign Permit is required for the installation or alteration of any sign, except for those signs specifically exempted in Section 129.0803. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

A Sign Permit is not required for the following signs or activities:

(a) Changing the copy of a sign or maintenance of a sign that does not involve
structural or electrical changes;

(b) Interior signs, except for theater lobby signs;

(c) Public utility and safety signs that are required by law;

(d) Signs that are required by law, other than public utility and safety signs, that
do not exceed the minimum dimensions specified by law;

(e) Real estate signs that are not illuminated;

(f) Construction site signs that are not illuminated;

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(g) Nameplate identification signs and combination name plates and address signs
with letters that do not exceed 3 inches in height, are not illuminated, and do
not exceed 4 square feet in area;

(h) Accessory warning signs that provide warnings such as “no parking,” “watch
dogs,” and “security service” that are not illuminated, do not exceed 12 square
feet in area, and do not project over a public right-of-way;

(i) Window signs;

(j) Signs required by the Fire Department to designate fire lanes;

(k) Tablets, memorials, and cornerstones that are built into the walls of a
building, and provide information such as the name of the building and the
date of construction;

(l) Bulletin boards for charitable or religious organizations provided that the
signs do not exceed 16 square feet in area, do not project over a public right-
of-way, and are not illuminated; and

(m) Temporary on-site banners, streamers, and pennants.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) A separate Sign Permit is required for each sign on a premises.

(b) A Sign Permit will include authorization for any electrical work within the
sign. If a structural or electrical engineering analysis is required for a
structure because of the proposed sign, the analysis must be approved by the
Building Official.

(c) If the installation of a sign requires modification of a structure, a Building
Permit may also be required.

(d) A Sign Permit shall not be issued if there is a previously conforming sign, or a
sign on the premises that is in violation of Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 12
(Sign Regulations). The Sign Permit shall not be issued until any violation or
previously conforming sign is either removed or brought into conformance
with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 12.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

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An applicant for a Sign Permit shall file an application for one or more permits as required in accordance with Sections 112.0102 and 129.0105. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

A decision on a Sign Permit application shall be made in accordance with Process One. The Sign Permit shall be approved if the decision maker finds that the work described in the permit application, specifications, and any other required data complies with the requirements of the Land Development Code. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

A decision to approve or deny a Sign Permit shall be made no more than forty-five business days after the date on which the application is deemed complete. When a decision is not made within the required time, and the applicant does not waive time, the application shall be deemed denied. The timeliness requirement may be waived by the applicant. (“Timeliness of Decision” added 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.) (Amended 2/14/2005 by O-19356 N.S.)

An applicant may seek judicial review of a final decision on any Sign Permit application, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.8. This provision does not limit an applicant's ability to seek judicial review by other means. (“Judicial Review” added 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.)

(a) The Sign Permit may be issued after all approvals have been obtained and all required fees have been paid.

(b) A Sign Permit shall not be issued for any sign that requires a development
permit until the development permit has been issued.
(Renumbered from Sec. 129.0808 on 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.)

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A Sign Permit shall expire by limitation and become void 24 months after the date of permit issuance. If the work authorized by the Sign Permit has not been completed by the permit expiration date, all work shall stop until a new permit is issued. If a Sign Permit expires, a new permit application, with the full permit fee, is required. (Renumbered from Sec. 129.0811 on 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.) (Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

(a) Before the expiration date of a Sign Permit, a permittee may submit a written application for an extension of time. The City Manager may extend a Sign Permit for a period not exceeding 180 calendar days if the City Manager determines that, based on evidence provided by the permittee, circumstances beyond the control of the permittee prevented completion of the work.

(b) A Sign Permit may not be extended more than two times.

(c) A Sign Permit that has expired shall not be eligible to receive an extension of
time.
(Renumbered from Sec. 129.0812 on 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.)

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(a) Temporary Sign Permits for temporary signs expire 1 year from the date of issuance and may be renewed on a yearly basis with payment of fees as required by schedule of fees established by the City Council.

(b) Temporary Sign Permits for holiday decorations shall expire 20 calendar days
after the holiday to which they pertain.
(Renumbered from Sec. 129.0814 on 1-13-2004 by O-19253 N.S.)

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Article 9: Construction Permits