§ 2203. Permit procedures.

(a)

Applications. All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted to the zoning administrator on an application form prescribed by the county. The applicant must be the property owner or the lessee of the lot on which the sign will be located, or an agent or representative of the property owner or lessee.

(b)

Permit for new sign or for sign modification. An application for construction, creation, or installation of a new sign or for modification of an existing sign shall be accompanied by a detailed illustration of the dimensions, design, structure, and location of each sign in the format prescribed within the official application form.

(c)

Fees. Fees shall be set forth in the Bulloch County schedule of fees and charges.

(d)

Action. Within 15 business days of the submission of an application for a sign permit, including required and accompanying materials as provided in section 2203(b) of this article, the zoning administrator shall either:

(1)

Issue the permit where it is found that such sign application is complete and the proposed sign adheres to the standards of this article and other applicable requirements of county ordinances and state law; or

(2)

Deny the permit where the application is incomplete, contains false material statements or where the proposed sign would violate standards of the ordinance from which this article is derived or other ordinances or state laws regulating signage. Any denial of a permit shall be in writing and shall include a specification of the section(s) of the ordinance, or applicable provision of other county ordinances or state laws with which the sign is inconsistent. The denial shall be based upon and shall cite to the specific articulated standards in this article, or other law, and shall not be based upon or cited to the general concerns contained in section 2201 herein. A denied application later resubmitted in conformity with this ordinance shall be deemed to have been submitted on the date of resubmission, rather than on the date of original submission. A decision to deny a permit shall be in writing and shall be served on the permit applicant either by hand delivery or by first class mail to the address provided by the applicant no later than 15 business days after initial receipt of the application.

(e)

Lapse of permit. If construction of a sign for which a permit has been issued has not begun within six months of the issuance of the permit, the permit shall lapse and become null and void. Thereafter, the applicant shall be required to obtain another permit prior to constructing or modifying the sign.

(f)

Inspections. Upon substantial completion of the construction or modification of a billboard or other permanent sign for which a permit has been issued, the permittee shall notify the developmental services division and request an inspection. If the construction is substantially complete, but not in full compliance with this article and other applicable codes, the zoning administrator or his designee shall give the owner or applicant notice of the deficiencies and shall allow an additional 30 days from the date of such inspection for the deficiencies to be corrected. If deficiencies are not corrected by such date, the permit shall lapse. If the permit lapses, the zoning administrator may require the owner or applicant to remove the sign or obtain another permit to correct the deficiencies.

(g)

Appeals. In the event of denial of an application for a permit, the applicant may appeal the decision in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 409 of this appendix.

(h)

Work without permit issuance. If any person, owner, authorized agent or contractor commences any work before securing permits required by this article, fees upon application shall be doubled.

(i)

Revocation. In the event it is determined that a permit was issued in violation of the ordinance from which this article is derived or other ordinance or law regulating the sign at issue or where the sign has been erected in violation of such standards, the zoning administrator may issue the permit holder a written notice of revocation of the permit, stating the grounds for such revocation action. The zoning administrator's decision to revoke a permit may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 409 of this appendix.

(j)

Multiple lots. If several lots of record which are contiguous and adjacent have been combined for a single purpose, then the lots shall be considered as a single lot in determining the size, height and use requirements as set forth by this article.

(k)

Display of permit. The permit holder shall be responsible for maintaining the permit for every sign constructed, erected or maintained for which a permit is required by this article. Such permit shall be kept on the premises served by the sign and shall be exhibited promptly upon request of county officers and employees.

(l)

Assignment of sign permits. A current and valid sign permit shall be freely assignable to a successor as owner of the property or holder of a business license for the same premises, subject to any filing of such applications as the zoning administrator may require; no fees shall be charged for filing an assignment with the county. The assignment shall not require county approval. However, a modification of the sign by an assignee shall require a permit and payment of fee as for a new sign.

(Amd. of 4-5-11(2))