Why Does Getting a Sign Permit Take So Long?
Introduction
“Any word on the permit?”
If you’ve ordered a commercial sign, there’s a good chance you’ve asked that question at least once. And we get it. You’ve approved the design, you’re excited to see the sign go up, and now it feels like everyone is just… waiting. So, what’s actually happening?
Every City Has Its Own Sign Requirements
Before a sign can be installed, we first have to make sure it meets the requirements for the city where the property is located. Every city does things a little differently. There may be rules covering sign area, letter height, overall sign height, setbacks, illumination, placement, electrical work, and several other parts of the project.
A sign that is acceptable in Phoenix may need to be handled differently in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, or another Arizona municipality. Even two businesses with similar buildings can have different requirements based on the property, zoning district, tenant frontage, or existing signs.
Shopping centers and landlords may also have their own sign criteria. Those requirements can cover approved colors, materials, mounting methods, sign locations, and logo use. That’s why we start looking at permits early in the design process.
A Permit Application Includes More Than the Sign Drawing
Then there’s the paperwork. Depending on the project, a sign permit package may include scaled drawings, site plans, building elevations, measurements, engineering information, electrical details, property information, and landlord approvals.
The city needs enough information to understand what is being installed, where it will be located, how it will be attached, and whether it follows the applicable sign code.
A set of channel letters mounted to a building may require information about the letter size, wall location, electrical connections, and mounting method.
Larger signs can be more involved. Monument signs and pylon signs may include concrete foundations, steel supports, underground electrical service, and structural engineering. Preparing a complete permit package takes some time, but it gives the city what it needs to begin the review.
The City Has to Review the Application
Once everything is submitted, it’s in the city’s hands for review. Sometimes that review is pretty quick. Other times, the city may be busy, have questions, request a revision, or send something back for additional information.
A reviewer may ask for another dimension, an updated site plan, a structural detail, or a change to the sign area. We make the requested change, resubmit the package, and the review process continues.
Some projects also require reviews from more than one department. Planning, zoning, building safety, and electrical reviewers may each need to look at part of the application.
And yes, sometimes there’s a little waiting involved. Review times can change depending on the city’s workload, the complexity of the sign, and whether revisions are required. We stay in contact with the municipality and respond when the reviewer needs more information.
Revisions Are a Normal Part of the Process
A request for revisions doesn’t necessarily mean something has gone wrong. Sometimes a city interprets part of the code differently than expected. A property record may need to be updated. The reviewer may want another engineering detail or a clearer measurement on the drawing.
We address the comments and return the revised package for another review. This is one reason we think about sign permitting from the beginning. A design should be based on the sign area and placement the property allows. That reduces the chance of major design changes after the customer has approved the sign.
Our team handles permitting as part of the complete commercial sign process. We prepare the drawings, submit the application, respond to review comments, and keep the project moving when approval comes through.
Why the Permit Is Required
Nobody gets particularly excited about the permitting part of a sign project. We’d all rather get to the part where we’re cutting metal, building letters, painting cabinets, and putting the finished sign on the building.
Permits help confirm that signs are placed correctly, structurally sound, electrically safe, and within the rules established for the property. They also give the installation crew an approved set of drawings to follow.
So when you ask us, “Any word on the permit?”
Don’t worry. We’re wondering, too. As soon as we receive approval, we’re just as ready as you are to keep things moving.
Planning a new sign for your business or commercial property? Contact Bootz & Duke or request a free quote. We’ll review the property requirements and explain what to expect from the permit process.
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