§ 3-41. Permits.

(a)

Permit required. Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the city, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit from the building superintendant. These directives shall not be construed to require any permit for change of copy on any sign, replacement of the sign face, nor for the repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, so long as the sign or sign structure is not enlarged in any way or otherwise modified.

(b)

Application. Sign permits may be applied for by the owner of the property upon which the sign will be located, or by that person or entity's authorized agent. In order to obtain a permit to erect, alter or relocate any sign under the provisions of this article, an applicant therefore shall submit to the building superintendant a sign permit application, which shall set forth in writing a complete description of the proposed sign including:

(1)

The name, address and telephone number of the owner or persons entitled to possession of the sign and of the sign contractor or erector.

(2)

The name, address and telephone number of the owner or lessee of the lot on which the sign is located if different from those designated above.

(3)

The location by street address of the proposed sign structure.

(4)

A drawing of the proposed sign showing the type of sign to be erected, its height and shape, and construction specifications including how it is to be mounted or erected, prepared and signed by an architect or engineer licensed by the State of Georgia.

(5)

Where the sign construction requires an electrical connection, the work must be performed by a Georgia State-licensed electrical contractor, and the electrical contractor shall obtain an electrical permit.

(6)

Each applicant shall present to the building superintendant on request a certificate of liability insurance prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

(7)

Where the application is for a multiple message sign using electronic lighting as part of the display on the sign face, a copy of the sign manufacturer's specifications for luminosity shall be attached to the application.

(8)

The distance from the sign to the nearest adjacent signs, it distance regulation apply.

(9)

The size of the lot or parcel on which the sign is to be placed.

(10)

All permits required under federal or state law, including but not limited to those required by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

(c)

Issuance of permit if application in order. It shall be the duty of the building superintendant, upon receipt of a completed application for a sign permit, to examine such plans and specifications and other data and, if the proposed structure is in compliance with the requirements of this section and all other applicable provisions of this article to issue, within thirty (30) days from date of filing, to the applicant a written permit evidencing the applicant's compliance therewith. Sign permits shall be issued in the name of the property owner upon which the sign is to be located. Issuance of the permit shall in no way prevent the building superintendant from later declaring said sign to be nonconforming if the permit is obtained based on false information submitted by the applicant.

(d)

Denial of permit. The city shall deny permits to applicants that submit applications for signs that do not comply with the provisions of this article, incomplete applications, and applications containing any false material statements. Should the city deny a permit, the reasons for the denial are to be stated in writing and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested or via hand delivery to the address on the permit application on or before the 30th business day after the city's receipt of the application. Any application denied and later resubmitted shall be deemed to have been submitted on the date of re-submission, instead of the date of the original submission. No permit shall be denied or revoked, except for due cause, that is, the violation of the provisions of this article, state or federal law related to signage, or the submission of an incomplete application or an application containing false material statements.

(e)

Permit duration. A sign permit shall become null and void if the construction of the sign for which the permit was issued has not begun within a period of six (6) months after the date of issuance and completed within twelve (12) months after date of issuance. No refunds will be made for permit fees paid for permits that expired due to failure to erect a permitted sign. If later an individual desires to erect a sign at the same location, a new application must be processed and another fee paid in accordance with the fee schedule applicable at such time.

(f)

Work on illegal signs. No person shall erect or assist in the erection, construction, maintenance, alteration, relocation, repair or painting of, or do any work upon any sign for which a permit has not been obtained. Any such sign shall be illegal and the building superintendent shall order the owner to remove the same immediately. If the owner fails to remove the same within thirty (30) days, the building superintendent shall proceed in accordance with this article.

(g)

Inspection. All signs for which a permit is required by this article are subject to inspection by the building superintendent.

(h)

Revocation. The building superintendent is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by him upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with the provisions of this section within thirty (30) days after notification in writing. Should it be determined that a sign permit was issued pursuant to an incomplete application or an application containing a false material statement, or that a permit has been erroneously issued in violation of this article, the clerk shall revoke the permit.

(j)

Permit fees. Before any permit is issued under the provisions of this section, the applicant shall pay a fee of forty dollars ($40.00), payable upon application. An application for a ground sign having any sign face of thirty-two (32) square feet or greater in area shall require a permit fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). However, no permit fee shall be required for signs having no electrical connection and a sign face less than thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

(Ord. No. 08-16, § 2, 9-18-2008)