§ 12.9. General procedures.
The procedure outlined herein shall be followed by all persons erecting signs within the corporate limits of the city:
A.
Conformance and permits: All signs erected, replaced, modified or relocated shall be in conformance with all ordinances and codes of the City of Snellville. A sign permit shall be secured from the director of planning and development. This permit is to be issued prior to installation or modification of any sign. No permit shall be required for any change of copy on a sign provided no modification is made to the size or location of the sign. No permit shall be required for those signs exempt under section 12.5. The discretion of any city official in reviewing a sign permit application is to determine if the application and the proposed sign are in compliance with this ordinance. No official reviewing a sign permit application or building or electrical permit application concerning a proposed sign shall consider the content of any message on a proposed sign.
1.
Signs that require both a building permit and a sign location permit:
a.
Signs that exceed 32 square feet in area; or
b.
Signs that exceed six feet in height above grade; or
c.
Signs on walls having a height exceeding four-feet; or
d.
Signs that are internally illuminated.
2.
Signs that require design by a Georgia registered professional engineer:
a.
Signs that exceed 50 square feet in area that are either monument signs or signs with supporting structures.
b.
Signs that exceed 12 feet in height above grade.
3.
Documentation required for plan review and obtaining a building permit:
a.
A sign location plan is required.
b.
In order to obtain a building permit, three complete sets of drawings must be submitted to the planning and development department. The drawings shall clearly indicate the structural and electrical construction requirements for each proposed sign and at a minimum contain the information described in subsections A.4 and A.5 (below). The drawings shall also clearly indicate the proposed sign location.
c.
A building permit can be obtained after drawings containing the complete structural and electrical information stated below have been reviewed and approved by the director of planning and development.
4.
Electrical drawing(s) plan review requirements:
a.
Drawings for each illuminated sign shall clearly indicate the electrical requirements including the size and location of the electrical disconnect the type and size of wire, the conduit size and estimated load. Drawings shall also specify the name of a nationally recognized organization as applicable to the illuminated sign to be installed.
b.
Electrical installations shall meet the requirements of the NFPA National Electrical Code and must be performed by a Georgia licensed electrician.
5.
Structural drawing(s) plan review requirements:
a.
Drawings for each sign structure shall clearly specify the required materials, sizes, and locations for all structural components. Complete details shall be provided that clearly indicates the required connections between all structural components including anchorage to the foundation. Details shall also indicate required attachments of sign cabinets to the supporting structure.
b.
Sign foundation requirements shall be clearly indicated on the drawings including, but not limited to, footing size and reinforcement, 28-day compressive strength of concrete, anchor bolt size and embedment depth.
c.
Drawings for signs that require design by a Georgia registered professional engineer shall contain the following minimum design data in addition to the information required in subsections A.5.a and A.5.b, above:
(1)
State on drawings that the design complies with the SBCCI Standard Building Code;
(2)
State on drawings that the wind load design complies with ASCE 7 (minimum design loads for buildings and other structures);
(3)
Basic wind speed (mph), design wind pressure (PSF), exposure category (B or C);
(4)
Minimum required soil bearing capacity (PSF);
(5)
Structural material specifications (including but not limited to ASTM designation, yield strength (SKI), and material grade, if applicable).
6.
Inspection requirements:
a.
Drawings for sign structures that have been reviewed and approved by the director of planning and development shall be kept readily accessible at the job site at all times during construction. The building permit card shall be posted in the immediate vicinity of the proposed ground sign location.
b.
The electrical subcontractor must submit a completed subcontractor affidavit to planning and development department at least two days prior to requesting an electrical inspection.
c.
Each sign, for which a building permit has been issued, requires inspection by the building inspector during the following stages of construction:
(1)
A foundation inspection is performed after excavation and prior to concrete placement with steel reinforcement, anchor bolts, and structural posts in place.
(2)
An electrical inspection is performed only after the foundation has been inspected and approved by the city inspector.
(3)
A final inspection is performed after completion of all construction and a building final is issued.
(4)
Erosion and sediment control measures shall be maintained throughout construction in accordance with city ordinances and procedures.
B.
Application procedure: Applications for sign permits required above shall be filed by the sign owner or his agent with the planning and development department upon forms furnished by him.
1.
Said application shall describe and set forth the following:
a.
Street address of the property upon which the sign is to be located. In the absence of a street address, an acceptable alternate method of location may be used.
b.
Type of sign as defined in this ordinance.
c.
Plans indicating the dimensions of the sign, sign area, height, and mounting details.
d.
Plans indicating its location on the property or the face of the building including the road frontage or building elevation.
e.
The name(s) and address(es) of the real property upon which the subject sign is to be located.
f.
Written consent of the owner, or his agent, granting permission for the placement and/or maintenance of subject sign.
g.
The name, address, phone number and business license number of the sign contractor.
The planning and development department shall complete its review of the application within 15 working days of the date of application and either approve or deny the application. Should the application be incomplete or contain insufficient information as described in subsection 12.9.B.1 above, it shall be denied. If the planning and development department fails to approve or deny the sign within 15 working days, the applicant may post the sign as if approved.
C.
Appeal/administrative review: Any person aggrieved or affected by the decision of the director of planning and development relating to the application of this ordinance may appeal to the zoning board of appeals for relief or reconsideration within 30 days from the date of the adverse determination by the director of planning and development. The zoning board of appeals shall review said application at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Should the board of appeals fail to reach a decision (excluding postponement of meeting or agenda item) during its next regularly scheduled meeting, the appeal shall be deemed to be granted. Applications for appeals shall be subject to provisions of article 14 of the zoning ordinance.
D.
Expiration date: A sign permit shall become null and void if the sign for which the permit was issued has not been completed within six months after the date of issuance.
E.
Sign fees: No permit shall be issued until the appropriate application has been filed with the planning and development department and fees have been paid as established by the mayor and council from time to time. Should any person, company, firm or corporation actually begin work for which a permit is required by this ordinance without taking out a permit, he shall pay three times the amount of the applicable above-described fee.
(ZOA 2013-01, § 1(exh. A), 2-25-2013)