SIGN PERMIT
Sections:
20.618.010 Purpose.
20.618.020 Permit required.
20.618.030 Application for sign permit.
20.618.040 Procedures for sign permit.
20.618.050 Inspection.
20.618.010 Purpose.
The board finds and declares that the establishment
of regulations and minimum standards for the
erection and maintenance of outdoor signs and
billboards within the county are necessary for
the purpose of promoting the public health, safety,
and general welfare, and the establishment of
such regulations and minimum standards are in
accordance with the provisions of and purposes
of the NRS.
The board further finds that the sign provisions
provide minimum standards to safeguard life,
health, property and public welfare in keeping
with the unique character of the county by regulating
and controlling the size, height, design, quality
of materials, construction, location, electrification,
and maintenance of all signs and signs structures
not located within a building, and including
temporary signs attached to or affixed upon windows,
and to accomplish the following results:
A. To protect and enhance the character of residential
neighborhoods, open views and vistas, and property
values by prohibiting obtrusive and incompatible
signs;
B. To promote and maintain healthy commercial centers
and property values for effective communication
of the nature of goods and services and avoidance
of wasteful, ugly and unsightly competition in
signs;
C. To provide a reasonable and comprehensive system
of control of signs, integrated within a part
of the general planning program and zoning ordinance,
and not as a distinct police power that is exercised
separate and apart from the zoning power;
D. To encourage signs which are well-designed and
pleasing in appearance and to provide incentive
and latitude for variety, good design relationship
and spacing and location;
E. To encourage a desirable area character with
a minimum of overhead clutter;
F. To attract and direct persons to various activities
and enterprises in order to provide for the maximum
public convenience; and
G. To enhance the economic value of the community
and each area in it through the regulation of
size, location, design and illumination of signs.
(Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 386, 1981)
20.618.020 Permit required.
It is unlawful for any person to erect, enlarge,
alter, or relocate, within Douglas County, any
sign or other advertising structure as defined
in appendix A of this title without first obtaining
a sign permit and building permit except as otherwise
provided in chapter 20.696. Sign permits are
valid for 180 days after issuance. (Ord. 763,
1996; Ord. 386, 1981)
20.618.030 Application for sign permit.
An application must be submitted by the property
owner or by an agent on the owner’s behalf on
the form provided by the county with the fee
established by resolution. (Ord. 763, 1996; Ord.
386, 1981)
20.618.040 Procedures for sign permit.
A. The director shall check the application, plans
and specifications for sign permits. No permit
shall be issued unless the plans and specifications
have been reviewed and approved by all applicable
departments and divisions. If the department
is satisfied that the work described in an application
for permit and the plans and specifications filed
therewith conform to the requirements of chapter
20.696 and all other laws and ordinances, and
that the appropriate fees have been paid, a sign
permit shall issued and forwarded to the building
division for building permit issuance.
B. If the community development department determines
from the application or from the inspection of
the premises that signs or other advertising
structures exist on the premises, no permit shall
be issued for any new sign or advertising structure
which would increase the gross size or dimensional
area of all signs or advertising structures beyond
the allowable limits.
C. If the community development department determines
from the application and accompanying plans or
drawings that a proposed sign or advertising
structure is, by reason of unusual or unique
shape, color combination or context, likely to
be out of harmony with the prevailing style or
pattern of signs or advertising structures in
the area of the county in which it is proposed
to be located, the director shall forthwith submit
the application and accompanying data as herein
required to the planning commission, and the
commission shall consider and review the same
within 30 working days from the date of filing. If
the commission finds and determines that the
proposed sign or advertising structure is offensive
or undesirable from the standpoint of color harmonics,
size or if by reason of its shape, context or
unique graphic portrayal of an object or objects
it will create disharmony, it may reject or disapprove
the application. In the alternative, it may recommend
any changes, alterations or modifications of
the proposed sign or advertising structures as
will cause it to harmonize with the prevailing
architectural or existing sign or sign pattern
or patterns. In the event the application is
rejected or disapproved, or in the event the
applicant refuses or declines to comply with
any recommendations of the planning commission
for change, alteration or modification, the applicant
may appeal as provided in this title. (Ord. 763,
1996; Ord. 386, 1981)
20.618.050 Inspection.
Every sign erected in the county shall be subject to
inspection by the community development department
to ensure compliance with all provisions of this
section and title, as amended. (Ord. 801, 1998;
Ord. 763, 1996; Ord. 386, 1981)
