19.60.810 Processing of applications.
A. Time. Unless otherwise stated, all time periods in this section are calendar days.
B. Completeness. The Zoning Administrator shall determine whether the application contains all the information and items required by this chapter. If it is determined that the application is not complete, the applicant shall be notified in person or in writing within 30 days of the date of receipt of the application that the application is not complete and the reasons therefor, including any additional information necessary to render the application complete. The applicant shall then have 30 calendar days to submit additional information to render the application complete; failure to do so within the 30-day period shall render the application void. Within 30 days following the receipt of an amended application or supplemental information, the Director, or designee, shall again determine whether the application is complete in accordance with the procedures set forth in this subsection. Evaluation and notification shall occur as provided above until such time as the application is found to be complete (the “application date”).
C. Disqualification. No sign application will be approved if:
1. The applicant has installed a sign in violation of the provisions of this chapter and, at the time of submission of the application, each illegal sign has not been legalized, removed or included in the application;
2. There is any other existing code violation located on the site of the proposed sign(s) (other than an illegal or nonconforming sign that is not owned or controlled by the applicant and is located at a different business location on the site from that for which the approval is sought) which has not been cured at the time of the application;
3. The sign approval application is substantially the same as an application previously denied, unless: (a) 12 months have elapsed since the date of the last application, or (b) new evidence or proof of changed conditions is furnished in the new application; or
4. The applicant has not obtained any applicable required use permit or conditional use permit.
D. Method of Review. The method of review is standard compliance review. The Zoning Administrator, or the Planning Commission or City Council on appeal, shall determine whether approval shall be granted for any sign based on its conformance with the regulations and design standards set forth herein and in the City design manual, without consideration of the graphic design of the copy or message displayed on the sign.
E. Certain Signs Calling for Design Review. Decisions under this standard shall be guided by the following principles and shall not be based on the graphic design of the copy or message displayed on the signs:
1. Fluorescent paints shall be avoided;
2. Sign copy should not extend beyond the edges of the background area on which it is applied;
3. The copy area of signs, including logos, emblems, crests and pictorial representations, should not exceed 50 percent of the background area on which it is applied;
4. The height of a pole sign should not be less than twice its width;
5. The height of the bottom of the signboard of a pole sign should be less than three times but more than twice the width of the signboard;
6. The two sides of a rectangular pole sign should have a ratio of three to five;
7. The base of each freestanding sign shall be landscaped in accordance with the landscaping manual of Chula Vista, without consideration of the graphic design of the copy or message displayed on the sign.
F. Decisions. Where an application is denied by the Zoning Administrator, or the Planning Commission or City Council on appeal, the applicant shall be informed in writing of the changes necessary in order to approve the application. If the applicant chooses to amend the application to reflect said changes, the Zoning Administrator shall grant the permit within 30 days of when a complete and conforming application is submitted.
The Zoning Administrator shall render a decision on a sign permit within 30 days of the date of application.
G. Appeals. All sign permit applications shall be initially reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. An interested party may appeal any sign related decision to the Planning Commission. A written notice of appeal must be filed with the Development Services Department within 10 business days of when the decision was delivered or sent to applicant and all known concerned persons, or the last day on which a decision could have been timely rendered. Once a valid application for appeal has been filed, the Development Services Department shall take no longer than 30 calendar days to set the matter for public hearing at a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. The meeting date shall also be no more than 60 calendar days from the application’s filing date. The appellate body must conduct a hearing and consider evidence, and render a written decision. The hearing must follow normal procedures for agendizing and giving public notice. The decision of the Planning Commission shall be final. Unless time is waived by the applicant, any permit or approval on which the City does not render a definite decision within the required time shall be deemed denied, and the time for appeal or filing judicial review shall commence on the last date on which the City could have issued a decision.
H. Judicial Review. Following final decision by the City Council, any concerned person may seek judicial review of the final decision on a sign permit application pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.8.
I. Multiple Sign Applications. When an application proposes two or more signs, the application may be granted either in whole or in part, with separate decisions as to each proposed sign. When an application is denied in whole or in part, the Director’s or their designee’s written notice of determination shall specify the grounds for such denial.
J. Revocation or Cancellation. The Director, or designee, shall revoke any approval upon refusal of the holder thereof to comply with the provisions of this chapter after written notice of noncompliance and at least 15 days’ opportunity to cure.
K. Permits Issued in Error. Any approval or permit issued in error may be summarily revoked by the City upon written notice to the holder of the reason for the revocation. (Ord. 3544 §§ 1, 2, 12, 2023; Ord. 2924 § 2, 2003).