A person may not erect or maintain a sign without a permit, except that a permit is not required for:
A. 
Temporary signs;
B. 
Exempt signs;
C. 
For sale, for lease or contractor identification signs;
D. 
Open house signs;
E. 
Temporary noncommercial right-of-way signs; and
F. 
Directional signs in manufacturing zones.
(Prior code § 8-928; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; Ord. 22-04 § 2)
A. 
The application for a sign permit shall be on a form prepared by the development services department and, among other matters it may reasonably prescribe, shall contain or include a map or plat and drawings showing the location, size, colors, shape, type of illumination, copy, design and manner of installation of the proposed sign and the frontage of the premises, including exempt signs, giving the size and location of each.
B. 
The application shall specify whether a variance is requested, and if so, shall specify the manner in which the proposed sign does not comply with this chapter and the factual basis for the findings required by BMC § 18.08.080.
C. 
A single application may cover more than one sign, but shall be limited to a single premises.
(Prior code § 8-930; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; Ord. 25-09 § 3)
A. 
The fee for a sign permit with or without a variance shall be established by city council resolution.
B. 
The fee shall be paid at the time of filing the application and is not refundable.
C. 
No fee is required where the application is for:
1. 
Service club sign, BMC § 18.16.090;
2. 
Neighborhood association sign, BMC § 18.16.060;
3. 
Community directional sign, BMC § 18.16.030;
4. 
A sign in lawful use on the day the ordinance codified in this title takes effect.
(Prior code § 8-929; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; Ord. 11-06 § 1; Ord. 17-10 § 24)
A. 
The sign application shall be filed with the development services department. The city planner, who shall be guided by the design criteria in BMC § 18.12.010, may require that changes be made in the design of the sign as necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
B. 
In the case where no variance is requested in the application and the city planner finds that a variance would be required for approval of the permit, or where the commission finds that the sign as proposed should be modified, the planning commission shall deny the application and advise the applicant of the reasons for denial. In this case the applicant may submit a revised application without payment of an additional fee, unless a variance fee is payable, within 90 days following denial. All actions of the city planner may be appealed to the planning commission by an aggrieved applicant within 10 days of the action.
(Prior code § 8-931; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; Ord. 25-09 § 3)
No building permit may be issued for a sign until the city planner or the planning commission approves the application, or until its denial of an application has been reversed upon appeal. Each sign shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the terms and conditions of the approval.
(Prior code § 8-934; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977)
A. 
A person aggrieved by the action of the city planner may appeal the action to the planning commission for review in accordance with Chapter 1.44 BMC.
B. 
There is no fee for this appeal.
C. 
A person appealing the decision of the city planner shall file a written notice of appeal with the secretary to the planning commission 10 days from the date of the decision being appealed.
D. 
The procedure for taking an appeal, giving notice, holding the hearing, and making the decision which is prescribed in the case of an appeal for a land use matter shall govern the appeal from a decision of the city planner.
E. 
The planning commission may reverse, modify, or affirm the action of the planner, on appeal.
(Prior code § 8-933; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; Ord. 07-71 § 1)
When practical difficulty, unnecessary hardship or a result which is inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this title occurs from the strict application of this chapter, the planning commission may grant a variance from the strict application of this chapter in the manner prescribed by BMC Title 17.
(Prior code § 8-932; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977)