(a) Application and Review Standards. No sign or sign structure governed by this chapter shall be erected, structurally altered or relocated unless a development permit has been issued in advance. The city shall make available one or more forms to be used by applicants seeking a development permit. Each submitted application for a development permit shall be reviewed by city staff for conformance to the standards, restrictions and requirements of this chapter and all other applicable chapters of this code. The viewpoint or message expressed or to be expressed by, on or within the sign or sign structure shall not be a subject for review by city staff (because, as stated in Section 10.38.010(b) and elsewhere, this chapter is intended, and shall be interpreted and enforced, so as to be viewpoint-neutral and message-neutral). The content expressed or to be expressed by, on or within the sign or sign structure (in contrast to viewpoint or message) shall be a subject for review by city staff only to the extent, if any, that such content is or would be violative of this chapter due to a reason other than viewpoint or message (for example, if the content purports to be or confusingly imitates or resembles an official traffic sign, in violation of Section 10.38.050(2)).

(b) New Signs. Any on-premises sign or sign structure meeting the standards, restrictions and requirements of this chapter is considered a Class (1) use and thus shall require a Class (1) review and approval. By contrast, any on-premises sign or sign structure not meeting the standards, restrictions and requirements of this chapter shall be subject to Section 10.38.220 and is not otherwise allowed. Any off-premises sign or sign structure or billboard is not allowed as stated in Section 10.38.150.

(c) Changes to Existing Signs. Structural change to or replacement of any existing sign or sign structure shall require a Class (1) review and approval. However, changes to the text, copy or face of a sign or sign structure that do not significantly alter the material or appearance of the preexisting sign or sign structure do not require a Class (1) review and approval.

(d) Written Decision. The administrative official shall, within a reasonable time, send a written decision to the applicant or applicants. A development permit shall be issued if all applicable standards, restrictions and requirements are or will be met. A development permit shall not be issued if one or more applicable standards, restrictions or requirements are not or will not be met and if a variance (pursuant to Section 10.38.220) has not or will not be granted as to such nonmet standards, restrictions or requirements. Whenever the administrative official does not issue a development permit in response to a submitted application, the written decision shall specify each standard, restriction and requirement that has not been met and explain the reason or reasons for the nonissuance in sufficient detail to enable a potential appeal under Section 10.38.240 or other applicable law (and, also and alternatively, to enable the applicant or applicants to submit a new or revised application at a later date that addresses whichever standards, restrictions or requirements were not met via the preceding application).

(e) Appeal. Any applicant who was not issued a development permit may appeal the administrative official's written decision under Section 10.38.240. (Ord. 2134, § 1, 2021.)