All exterior signs, awnings and interior signs that can be seen from the exterior are required to have a City of Salem Permit before erection can take place.
Please be aware that in some areas throughout the City, review by a governing Board must take place before a City permit can be issued. These areas include the Urban Renewal Area; Local Historic Districts; and Entrance Corridor Overlay Districts.
All applications must be completed and submitted with:
• Scaled Drawing of Sign
• Color Scheme
• Letter Style (font)
• Letter Size
• Method of Attachment
• Method of Lighting
• Dimensions of Sign Area Background
• Photograph of Building/Sign Site
(Building Inspector may require additional pertinent information to insure compliance with the City of Salem Sign Ordinance and any other applicable laws.)
There is a twenty dollar ($20.00) minimum permit fee for each application. If the estimated cost of construction and erection is $2,000.00 or more, a fee of $10.00 per $1,000.00 plus a $5.00 application fee will be charged.
Please note that a licensed electrician must install any sign or ancillary lighting and sign boxes must be UL listed. An Electrical Permit must be obtained from the City of Salem Electrical Department, 48 Lafayette Street, and be submitted with the sign application before a sign permit will be issued.
Also, please be aware that any sign or awning hung over a public way of sidewalk shall require a surety bond in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) conditioned to save harmless the City from any claims. This bond must be placed on file in the City Clerk’s office. A copy of such bond must be submitted with the sign application before a sign permit will be issued.
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