22B.10.160 Permits and fees.
A. Permit Requirements. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, no sign governed by this code shall be erected, altered or relocated from and after the date of adoption of this code without a permit issued by the city.
B. Permit Applications. In addition to application requirements detailed in BCC 22B.10.025, applications for permits shall contain the name and address of the owner and user of the sign, the name and address of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located, the location of the sign structure, drawings or photographs showing the design and dimensions of the sign and details of its proposed placement, and such other pertinent information as the director may require to insure compliance with this code and other applicable ordinances. Permit applications shall be available for inspection by the public upon request.
C. Expiration of Permits. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within one year of its issuance. Permits for temporary signs (BCC 22B.10.120) shall expire a maximum of 12 months from the date of the sign installation. Such permits are not subject to renewal.
D. Permit Exceptions. The following signs and sign alterations do not require a permit, but shall comply with all other applicable requirements of this code:
1. Signs having six square feet or less of surface area; provided, that this exemption shall not apply to subdivision directional signs (BCC 22B.10.120(C)(6);
2. Signs which have permits and which conform with the requirements of this code on the day of its adoption unless and until the sign is altered or relocated;
3. Signs which, on the date of adoption of this code, have permits but do not conform with this code’s requirements and are determined by the director to be nonconforming signs and for which a nonconforming sign permit is issued pursuant to BCC 22B.10.200(B)(4);
4. 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 structure or content is not modified in any way;
5. Changing of advertising copy or message on an approved reader board, LED reader board, theater marquee, or sign for an entertainment/public assembly use. When the sign is a nonconforming sign subject to amortization, this exception shall apply only during the period of amortization;
6. Temporary political signs;
7. Real estate signs meeting the standards set forth in BCC 22B.10.120(C);
8. On-site signs erected by utility providers to indicate the utility’s intended use of the site for future major utility facilities. Such signs shall be limited to 20 square feet in area and not exceed eight feet in height; and
9. Commercial estate sale signs meeting the standards set forth in BCC 22B.10.120(G).
E. Notice of Permit Denial – Reasons. When a sign permit is denied by the director, he or she shall give written notice of the denial to the applicant, together with a brief written statement of the reason for the denial. (Ord. 5679 § 4, 2006; Ord. 5490 § 30, 2003; Ord. 5357 § 13, 2002; Ord. 5151 § 4, 1999; Ord. 4818 § 16, 1995; Ord. 3683 §§ 6, 7, 1986; Ord. 3642 § 1, 1986; Ord. 2953 § 11, 1981; Ord. 2568 § 4, 1978; Ord. 2133 § 12, 1974; 1961 code § 17.01.130.)