16.75.040 Administration.
A. Permits and Fees Required.
1. Subject to the exemptions set forth in LMC 16.75.030(C), no sign governed by the provisions of this code shall be erected, altered or relocated by any person, firm or corporation without a permit issued by the city.
2. Fees for sign permits shall be established by resolution of the city council.
3. Sign permits are subject to limited administrative review pursuant to Section 1C of the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards (http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/public-works/plans-and-documents/library/development-guidelines). Exception: For applications that include a departure, see subsection C of this section.
B. Permit Applications. 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 administrator of this code may require to ensure compliance with this code and other applicable ordinances. Permit applications shall be available for inspection by the public upon request. Upon completion of a permit application, the application should be acted on within two weeks unless there is a requirement for further time associated with an underlying land use application.
C. Departures. This chapter provides for a number of specific departure opportunities to sign design standards. The purpose is to provide applicants with the option of proposing alternative design treatments provided such departures meet the applicable departure criteria set forth for the applicable particular departure opportunity. Specifically:
1. Departures are voluntary. This provision allows the flexibility for applicants to propose alternative designs on a voluntary basis.
2. Applicability. Departure opportunities are available only to specific standards that allow for departures.
3. Procedures. Permit applications that include departure requests are subject to limited administrative review pursuant to Section 1C of the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards. Departure requests, at the discretion of the administrator, may be referred to the hearing examiner.
4. Approval Criteria. Project applicants must successfully demonstrate to the administrator how the proposed departure meets the applicable criteria that apply to the specific standard.
5. Documentation. The administrator shall issue a written decision including findings documenting how the departure meets or exceeds the applicable criteria.
D. Administrator.
1. Appointment--Powers and Duties Generally. The administrator of this code shall be the director of community and economic development. The administrator is authorized and directed to enforce and carry out all provisions of this code, both in letter and spirit, with vigilance and with all due speed. To that end, the administrator is authorized to formulate procedures consistent with the purposes of this code. The administrator is further empowered to delegate the duties and powers granted to and imposed upon the director of community and economic development under this code. As used in this code, “administrator of this code” or “administrator” shall include the director of community and economic development’s authorized representative.
2. Inspection Authority. The administrator is empowered to enter or inspect any building, structure or premises in the city upon which, or in connection with which, a sign, as defined by this code, is located, for the purpose of inspection of the sign, its structural and electrical connections and to ensure compliance with the provisions of this code. Such inspections shall be carried out during business hours, unless an emergency exists. (Ord. 1539 §123, 2019; Ord. 1454 §2 (part), 2015).