§ 42-9. Permits and licenses.
(a)
Sign permit required.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in sections 42-6, Temporary signs and 42-8, Sign permit not required, a permit must be obtained in accordance with this chapter when a sign is constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated, or substantially altered. Construction signs are allowed for engineering firms, etc as long as one sign per project and appropriate review application has been submitted to the planning department.
(2)
Routine maintenance does not require a permit. Such maintenance includes painting, cleaning, changing copy where permitted, or changing copy in compliance with a sign plan, but does not include reconditioning a sign by removing it from its supports for the purpose of repair or alteration and reinstallation, replacing the plastic face or changing the structural or electrical components of any sign, except routine electrical maintenance. Painting or repainting the advertising message or sign area of a sign for the same business is allowed without a permit.
(b)
Application.
(1)
The property owner or agent, along with the lessee, if any, and the sign installer, must file an application for the sign permit on forms prescribed by the town planner/zoning administrator or designee.
(2)
The application must be accompanied by all required documents and fees.
(3)
A Sign Permit shall not be approved/processed until a current, valid certificate of occupancy (C.O.) and/or a business license is obtained.
(c)
Required application documents. An application for a sign permit must be accompanied by:
(1)
A scale drawing of the sign showing all dimensions and visual characteristics, including structural and architectural supports.
(2)
A scale drawing of the site showing:
a.
The proposed location of the sign, including setbacks;
b.
The location and size of all other signs on the property;
c.
The location, dimensions, and distance from property lines of all building on the site;
d.
The location and name of all streets which abut the property; and
e.
The frontage dimensions of the site along each street which abuts the property.
(3)
Application must be made for an electrical permit, if the application is for an illuminated sign.
(4)
Application must be made for a building permit for a sign requiring structural support.
(5)
Payment of the sign permit fee.
(6)
Other information that may be required by the planning and zoning administrator to ensure compliance with this chapter or other sections of the Code.
(d)
Inspection, approval, permit expiration.
(1)
All signs for which a permit is required are subject to inspection. All ground signs shall be subject to a footing inspection, and all signs to a final electrical inspection. Inspections must be made to the main frame prior to installation of decorative panels or skirting. Following an inspection, if corrections of defects are not made within ten days after notification, no permits for any sign work will be issued to the delinquent contractor.
(2)
Within ten days after receipt of an application, the town planner/zoning administrator or his/her designated reviewing official shall determine that the information is complete or incomplete and inform the applicant in writing of the deficiencies, if any. If the application is deemed:
a.
Incomplete, the applicant may submit the required information within ten days without payment of an additional application fee, but if more than ten days elapse, the applicant must thereafter initiate a new application and pay a new application fee; or
b.
Complete, the reviewing official shall determine if the sign meets all provisions of the town's Code of Ordinances and shall issue the permit which states whether the application is approved, denied, or approved with conditions within 30 days of receiving the complete permit application, except temporary sign permits as set forth in section 42-6 which must be approved, denied, or approved with conditions within ten days of receipt of the complete application. Any application not specifically approved within the applicable calendar day period shall be deemed granted.
(3)
No permit shall be issued for any sign if a nonconforming billboard, roof, projecting, or pole sign exists at the business location.
(4)
Every sign permit issued shall become null and void if the work is not commenced within six months. If work is suspended or abandoned for 120 days at any time after commencement, a new permit shall be required and the fee will be one-half the amount required for a new application provided no changes have been made in the original plans.
(e)
Sign design and construction. All signs shall meet the following minimum design and construction standards:
(1)
All signs shall comply with the minimum requirements provided in the building code relating to design, structural members, and connections. All signs requiring electrical connections and all ground signs shall require a building permit.
(2)
Signs shall maintain a clearance of ten feet from all overhead electrical conductors and three feet from all secondary voltage service drops.
(3)
No sign shall be attached to a wall which lacks sufficient strength to support it, or nailed or attached in any way to trees, telephone poles, or other objects.
(f)
Expiration or invalidation of a sign permit. A sign permit becomes invalid when:
(1)
The sign for which the permit was issued is not erected within three months from the date of issuance;
(2)
The sign for which the permit was issued is moved or substantially altered;
(3)
The town planner/zoning administrator revokes the permit for failure to comply with an order issued by the town stipulating corrective action for improper maintenance;
(4)
The application for a Sign Permit contained inaccurate information;
(5)
The business ceases existence or changes; or
(6)
The terms of the permit have not been satisfied.
(g)
Maintenance.
(1)
All signs including all supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be kept in good repair.
(2)
A sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises an operating business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted or product available on the premises where the sign is displayed shall be removed. The property owner is responsible for the removal of the signs, including all brackets, poles, and structural elements. The structural elements may remain if intended and suitable for reuse.
(3)
If any sign is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public health or safety, or has been constructed, erected, operated, used, posted, displayed or is being maintained in violation of the requirements, in addition to being a violation of the Hollywood Code of Ordinances and subject to such criminal sanctions as are allowed in the Hollywood Code of Ordinances, is hereby declared to be a public and private nuisance and shall be forthwith removed, obliterated or abated. Written notice of such finding shall be provided to the contractor, owner, agent or lessee thereof, and a time, not less than three days nor more than 15 days (dependent on the relevant health and safety factors), shall be accorded for removal, obliteration or abatement. Any portable sign such as snipe signs or real estate signs may be removed without notification of the property owner, if such sign is placed in public rights-of-way. If the contractor, agent, owner, or lessee fails to timely remove or correct the violation, the sign may be removed or altered to comply at the expense of the contractor, owner, agent, or lessee of the property upon which such sign is located and the expense of removal and any legal proceedings incurred by the town shall become a lien upon the property, with such lien collectible as if such was a special assessment or tax lien. The town may immediately remove any sign or advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property, with such costs recoverable in like manner.
(Ord. No. 2010-11-13, 5-23-2011)