It shall be unlawful to erect, re-erect, construct, alter, or maintain any sign except as provided by this article and pursuant to a required permit for the same issued by the building official. Except as hereinafter provided, a permit shall be required for each sign. In addition, electrical permits shall be obtained for lighted or illuminated signs, and building permits shall be obtained for sign structures. A permit for alteration of a sign which involves only a change in copy, content or color and which does not involve any change in any part of the structure or lighting of the sign itself shall not be denied on the basis that the sign is otherwise nonconforming, if such sign was erected in accordance with applicable city ordinances.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.203)
The following shall be subject to all other requirements of this article even though a permit shall not be required therefor:
(1) 
Maintenance and repairs to existing signs for which a valid permit was obtained if required at the time of the initial installation;
(2) 
Repainting without the alteration of existing signs for which a valid permit was obtained if required at the time of the initial installation;
(3) 
Signs for public safety and convenience or those required for the enforcement of private property rights, such as “Entrance,” “Parking,” “No Trespassing,” or “No Parking,” provided not more than one (1) such sign is maintained on each street, courtyard, or alley frontage on each site area and provided such signs do not exceed 150 square inches in area in any residential zone or four (4) square feet in any nonresidential zone;
(4) 
Public notice signs, such as notices to remove weeds;
(5) 
Flags as permitted by section 3.09.009(c);
(6) 
Political signs;
(7) 
Garage sale or estate sale signs;
(8) 
Lost pet signs;
(9) 
Real estate signs;
(10) 
Address and security protection signs;
(11) 
Certain temporary window signs pursuant to section 3.09.149;
(12) 
Construction signs;
(13) 
Changes in copy or content of theater signs and off-premises signs which were not constructed in violation of any ordinance;
(14) 
A temporary sign shall be permitted for a Christmas tree lot during the same period the lot is permitted by the city. Such sign:
(A) 
Shall be on-premises only;
(B) 
Shall be placed only on the private property where the lot is permitted;
(C) 
Shall not be exceed eight (8) square feet in area; and
(D) 
Shall be subject to all other restrictions of this chapter and chapter 14.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.204)
Applications for sign permits shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the building official. Such applications shall contain the location by street and number of the proposed sign structure, as well as the name and address of the owner and the person or business erecting the sign. Plans and specifications showing all pertinent sign information shall be submitted with the permit application. In addition, if the erection of the sign involves electrical wiring or connections, the electrical inspector of the city shall examine the plans and specifications for compliance with the city’s electrical code, and shall approve or disapprove prior to final approval or disapproval by the building official. The application shall include a provision whereby the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located consents to its erection and agrees to remove the sign and supporting structure in the event the business so identified or whose products or services are thus described has ceased or discontinued use of the building for a period of ninety days or more, and said owner shall sign the application. The plans and specifications shall include the following:
(1) 
Two copies of a scaled drawing showing the complete elevation of the building on which the sign is to be placed; such drawing shall include all exterior dimensions of the structure. Superimposed on this drawing shall be the proposed sign drawn to scale showing the dimensions, type and size of lettering and all colors to be used. The drawing shall be drawn to the following scale or as approved by the building official:
(A) 
1/4" equals 1'0" for structures up to forty feet (40') in height.
(B) 
1/8" equals 1'0" for structures which exceed forty feet (40') in height.
(2) 
A separate drawing to a scale of 1/2" equals 1'0" of the proposed sign. This drawing shall also contain all dimensions, size, and color of lettering.
(3) 
Color photographs shall be submitted showing the facade of the building on which the sign is to be placed, together with all existing signs on the building.
(4) 
The drawing for all signs which are to be illuminated shall show the location of electrical outlets, conduits, and lighting sources. The plan shall also indicate the intensity of illumination, which shall not exceed the maximum specified herein, and the building official shall require certification thereof by a lighting consultant or an electrical engineer.
(5) 
The drawing shall indicate the method of fastening the sign to the building.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.205)
The building official, before granting a permit for the erection, construction, reconstruction, repair, or alteration of any sign, will determine that the proposed sign conforms to all applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those with respect to design, construction, location and materials. Any such permit may at any time be revoked should any of the provisions of this article be violated.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.206)
The granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of the provisions of any law or regulation of the city.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.207)
The granting of a permit shall not prevent the building official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the work or from preventing further work being done thereunder when such work is in violation of the provisions of any regulation or law of the city.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.208)
(a) 
Permit fee.
A sign permit shall not become valid until the applicant has paid to the city the appropriate fee. There shall be no fee for alterations involving only change in copy, content or color. Valuation shall mean the total cost of the sign or the value thereof if cost was not arrived at by transaction between independent parties.
(b) 
Exemptions from permit fee.
A fee shall not be required for signs for which a permit is not required or for graphics, murals, etchings, or stained or painted glass that does not have a name, mark, logo, symbol or commercial identification attached or associated therewith.
(c) 
Investigation fee when work done without permit.
Whenever a sign for which a permit is required has been installed, replaced, or altered without first having obtained a permit, a special investigation consisting of inspection of the site, communication with the owner of the property or business and review of necessary records shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all the other provisions of this chapter and chapter 14 nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
(1996 Code, sec. 12.209)