§ 41-10. Permits and licenses.

(a)

Applications.

(1)

It shall be the responsibility and duty of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which such sign is to be located, or the sign owner if different therefrom, to secure a proper permit (and license, if necessary) for erection of said sign under the terms of this chapter before commencement of the erection thereof. A copy of such permit (and license, if necessary), shall be kept on the premises where the sign is located for public inspection, if practicable, otherwise at the owner's main place of business.

(2)

Before any permit or license is granted for the erection, relocation, or structural alteration of a sign, plans and specifications as detailed below shall be filed with the building official. Simple face replacements, where there is no change in business ownership or use, as defined in the Aurora zoning ordinance, do not require a permit. All drawings shall be of sufficient clarity to show the extent of the work and shall include the following:

a.

Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

b.

Location of the building, structure or parcel of property to or upon which the sign is to be erected or attached.

c.

Position of sign in relation to nearby buildings, structures and grade, or position of sign on the building.

d.

Two (2) copies of plans and specifications showing method of construction, location and support, sealed by a registered architect or structural engineer, if required by the building official.

e.

Sketch showing sign faces and exposed surfaces, accurately represented as to size and proportion. Sign colors shall be clearly indicated when the proposed sign is within fifty (50) feet of an intersection, except off-premises signs.

f.

Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting the sign.

g.

A copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any amount required in this chapter and other applicable ordinances, if required by the building official.

h.

Number, size, type and location of all existing signs on the same building, lot or premises.

i.

A legal description of the property, only if a license is applied for under subsection (b) hereof.

j.

Such other information as the building official shall require to show full compliance with this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city.

(b)

Licenses for signs on or over public property.

(1)

When required. No sign shall be maintained on or over, suspended over, hung over, or in any manner allowed to protrude or project over any public property, except under license obtained hereunder from the city in addition to the permit required. Such license shall require city council approval. Awning signs and canopy signs, as defined by section 41-2, may be approved by the planning director, zoning administrator, and the director of neighborhood services or their designees, without the necessity of city council approval.

(2)

Term. The term of said license shall be one (1) year, to expire on a date certain unless earlier revoked as provided herein.

(3)

Payment of fee. The fee for such license shall be as provided by subsection C hereof and payable upon application for said license, in an amount of a flat license application fee and a pro rata share of the annual license fee based on date of application. Applications for renewal shall be made annually. Fees shall be made payable to the city treasurer of the City of Aurora. The city treasurer shall be responsible for timely annual notification to the licensee that renewal is due.

(4)

Removal upon revocation. At the time the license expires or is revoked for any reason, licensee shall forthwith remove said sign. In the event licensee shall fail to do so, the city may remove or cause to be removed said sign, and shall assess the cost of all such work against licensee, and the city shall in no case be liable to licensee on account thereof. If the licensee goes out of business, the license shall be considered automatically revoked thereupon.

(5)

Right to revoke. The city shall have the right to make use of said licensed area of public property at any time, and if the city deems such reuse to be in the public interest, the city shall give licensee thirty (30) days' written notice of its intention to revoke the license. Furthermore, if the building official determines that a sign is unsafe, the city may revoke said license immediately.

(6)

Insurance. Licensee shall at all times during the term of the license carry public liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage from an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Illinois and satisfactory to the city, the city being named as a coinsured against any and all claims for damages to persons or property thereunder. Said insurance shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00). Licensee shall carry said insurance at its own expense, and shall furnish to the city a certificate of such coverage. In the event licensee shall allow said insurance to lapse during the term of the license, it shall be considered automatically revoked as of the date of the lapse of insurance.

(7)

Hold harmless. As a condition of licensure hereunder, licensee agrees to hold the city harmless against any and all claims for damages, costs and expenses to persons or property that may arise from the use, occupancy and maintenance of the applicable property by licensee, or from any act or omission of any representative, agent, customer and/or employee of the licensee.

(8)

Summary removal. The building official is authorized to seize without notice any sign unlawfully erected on or over public property or public right-of-way.

(9)

Content. Such signs shall identify only the business use of the related premises, and contain no product or service advertising.

(c)

Permit and license fees. Such fees shall be established by city ordinance or resolution.

(Ord. No. O03-159, § 1, 12-9-03)