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.
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.