No sign shall be constructed, maintained, displayed or altered without a sign permit obtained as provided in these Sign Regulations, unless the sign is specifically exempted from permit requirements by this chapter or the sign is displayed by the Town of Bethany Beach.
A. 
Any person desiring to construct, repair, alter or display a sign for which a permit is required shall submit an application and associated fees to the Building Inspector's office, as established by resolution by the Town Council of Bethany Beach.
B. 
Such application shall include descriptive material sufficient to enable evaluation of the proposal's conformance with the Sign Regulations, including at least the following items:
(1) 
A complete construction permit application and supplemental sign permit worksheet.
(2) 
A site plan showing existing improvements and proposed sign locations.
(3) 
A detailed plan of the proposed signage, including dimensions and method of illumination, if any.
(4) 
Samples and description of the proposed sign's colors and materials.
(5) 
Photographs of all existing signage and of the building faces of site areas where signage is proposed.
C. 
The Office of the Building Inspector will review all sign permit applications for completeness and consistency with these regulations. When review by the Nonresidential Design Review Committee is not required, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit upon finding a proposed sign is consistent with the applicable provisions of the Town Code. When review by the Nonresidential Design Review Committee is required because review is mandated by the Bethany Beach Non-Residential Design Guidelines, review is specifically required by this chapter, or the Building Inspector requests review of a proposed sign in a nonresidential area because the Building Inspector determines the proposed sign may have a significant impact on safety or aesthetics due to the sign's materials, size, or proposed location, such request shall be made within 10 business days of the application's submission.
When a nonresidential design review is required, the Building Inspector shall forward the completed sign application to the Nonresidential Design Review Committee for review in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 425, Article XXI (Nonresidential Design Review Committee).
No later than 10 business days after receiving a complete application for a sign permit which does not require review by the Nonresidential Design Review Committee, or no later than 10 business days of receiving the report of the Nonresidential Design Review Committee, the Building Inspector shall issue a sign permit to the applicant if it is determined that all requirements have been satisfied. The Building Inspector may impose conditions that will ensure compliance with the provisions of these sign regulations. The Building Inspector or the Code Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for the determination of compliance with Town Building Code requirements and the inspection and installation of the sign. No sign permit shall be issued until other required permits and approvals have been issued and granted.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any property owner, tenant or other entity in legal possession of any real property in the Town of Bethany Beach may apply to the Town Building Inspector for a temporary permit to display a sign in connection with a special event, subject to the following:
A. 
Permits granted hereunder shall generally be limited to the duration of the event and not exceed seven days (consecutive or nonconsecutive); provided, however, that depending upon the nature of the event and the purpose and location of the temporary sign, a longer period, not exceeding 21 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive), may be approved by the Building Inspector.
B. 
No temporary permit shall be issued for any sign hereunder which exceeds 2,160 square inches (15 square feet), which is illuminated by animated, revolving, flashing or moving lights, which is itself animated, revolving or moving or which utilizes reflectors or sound devices, nor shall any such permit be granted for an illuminated sign in the residential district. Some event banners (hanging or ground mounted), pennants, and other types of windblown displays greater than 15 square feet in area may be eligible for a temporary sign permit up to a maximum size of 50 square feet upon approval of the Town Manager or his designee.
[Amended 1-20-2012 by Ord. No. 471]
C. 
Not more than three special event permits shall be granted in any calendar year for any one lot.
Denial of a sign permit application shall be based on specific findings explaining how the proposed sign fails to satisfy the evaluation criteria included in this chapter or other provisions of these regulations.
A. 
Any decision of the Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Town Council, or the Nonresidential Design Review Committee may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 425, Article XVII, of the Town Code. Appeals of the decisions of the Board of Adjustment shall also be made pursuant to the procedures outlined in Chapter 425, Article XVII. Requests for a variance shall be made to the Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Public hearing: Board of Adjustment hearings are scheduled based on need, and once an appeal has been filed, or an application for a variance has been requested, a hearing shall be scheduled at the convenience of the Board of Adjustment and the applicant.