A. 
The Zoning Administrator has the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Sign Permit. The Zoning Administrator may refer a Sign Permit directly to the Architectural Review Commission.
B. 
In addition to Subsection A of this Section, the Architectural Review Commission has the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Sign Permit for a theater or marquee sign under Section 18.95.070 (Specific Sign Standards).
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Application. An applicant for a Sign Permit shall submit the following:
1. 
A complete application and all applicable materials and information as provided by the Planning Division.
2. 
The Zoning Administrator, at their discretion, may add or waive the submission of application materials or information to determine compliance with the standards of this Chapter.
B. 
Notice and Public Hearing.
1. 
No notice or public hearing is required, unless referred to the Architectural Review Commission or appealed to the Planning Commission and/or City Council, in which case a public hearing shall be held and noticed in compliance with Chapter 18.205 (Noticing Requirements).
2. 
Public hearings for applications with multiple discretionary permits or entitlements for a single project shall be conducted in compliance with Section 18.175.030 (Projects with Multiple Discretionary Permit Applications).
C. 
Decision.
1. 
Within 10 working days following the submittal of a complete application, the Zoning Administrator shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Sign Permit application.
2. 
If the Zoning Administrator refers an application for a Sign Permit to the Architectural Review Commission, the Architectural Review Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application within 20 working days following the close of the public hearing.
3. 
The Zoning Administrator shall mail notice of the decision to the applicant within 10 calendar days of the decision. In the case of an appeal, the date of decision is the date of the adoption of a resolution of decision.
D. 
Effective Date. A Sign Permit approval is effective on the date of approval. If the decision is appealed, the decision is not final until the appeal process under Chapter 18.185 (Appeals and Calls for Review) has been exhausted.
E. 
Appeal. Any interested person may appeal a decision of the Zoning Administrator to the Architectural Review Commission and a decision of the Architectural Review Commission to the City Council, in accordance with Chapter 18.185 (Appeals and Calls for Review).
F. 
Projects with Multiple Discretionary Applications. Notwithstanding Subsections B and C of this Section, for projects requiring a discretionary permit approval from the Planning Commission and/or City Council in conjunction with approval of a Sign Permit, the Planning Commission and/or City Council shall be the final decision-maker for the Sign Permit and any action of the Zoning Administrator and/or Architectural Review Commission shall be considered advisory to the Planning Commission and/or City Council.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
The review authority shall consider the following elements in evaluating a Sign Permit application:
A. 
Visibility and legibility, including:
1. 
Letter height and legibility.
2. 
Contrast-background relationship.
3. 
Placement and location.
4. 
Impact of other signs in the vicinity.
5. 
Average travel speed on adjacent streets.
B. 
Intensity of illumination of both the proposed sign and other signs in the vicinity, and other light sources such as streetlights or canopy lights.
C. 
The relation to the architectural design of the building. An attractive scale between the sign, the building, and the immediate surroundings shall be maintained. Signs that cover a window, spills over natural boundaries or architectural features, or obstructs parts of an upper floor of a building are not allowed.
D. 
The graphic design, including emphasis on simplicity, style, trademarks or business identification, and use of symbols.
E. 
The sign proposal conforms to the citywide sign design guidelines and/or other applicable adopted design guidelines.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
In approving a Sign Permit, the review authority may impose reasonable conditions necessary to:
A. 
Achieve consistency with the purposes of this Chapter, or the zoning district in which the site is located, and the General Plan;
B. 
Protect the public health, safety, and general welfare; or
C. 
Ensure the sign is compatible with existing and potential uses on-site and adjoining properties or in the surrounding area.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Lapse of Approval. A Sign Permit lapses 12 months after its date of approval, or at an alternative time specified as a condition of approval.
B. 
Changes to Plans or Conditions of Approval. A request for a change in a condition of approval, or a change in the Sign Permit which affects a condition of approval, requires an application for modification of the condition.
1. 
If the Zoning Administrator determines that the modification is minor, the Zoning Administrator may approve the modification administratively. The Zoning Administrator's decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission.
2. 
If the Zoning Administrator determines that the modification is major, then the modification shall be referred to the final decision-making body that approved the original Sign Permit.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
A Sign Permit may be revoked in compliance with Section 18.190.140 (Revocation or Modification of Discretionary Permits) if found in violation of this Chapter or a condition of approval.
B. 
Resubmittal of Application. Following denial of a Sign Permit, no new application for the same, or substantially the same, permit or program shall be accepted within 12 months of the date of denial, unless the denial was made without prejudice.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)