(A) Beginning, January 1, 2000, the erection and/or maintenance of permanent advertising signs and/or billboards on county roads and roads with county rights-of-way, including any such sign or billboard already in existence on January 1, 2000, other than those specifically permitted below is prohibited.
(B) The erection and/or maintenance of any of the following signs or billboards shall not be a violation of the above prohibition:
(1) An advertising sign or billboard erected or maintained on property for the purpose of setting forth or indicating:
(a) The name and address of the owner, lessee, or occupant of such property;
(b) The name or type of business or profession conducted on such property; or
(c) Information required or authorized by law to be posted or displayed thereon.
(2) An advertising sign or billboard which is not visible from any traveled portion of a county road or road with a county right of way.
(3) An advertising sign or billboard indicating the sale or leasing of the property upon which it is placed.
(4) A political sign or signs if authorized by the owner of the property upon which it is placed.
(C) Any advertising sign or billboard which impedes mowing or otherwise maintaining a county road or road with a county right-of-way, or which impedes motorists' view entering traffic or otherwise such as to be a hazard is prohibited.
(D) Any advertising sign or billboard prohibited by this section is hereby declared to be, and is, a public nuisance. The process for removal shall be as follows:
(1) The county shall send a notification letter by certified mail to the owner of such advertising sign or billboard.
(2) If the owner is not readily ascertainable, then a notification letter shall be placed on such advertising sign or billboard.
(3) Notification letters shall indicate that action is being taken by the county and that such advertising sign or billboard shall be removed immediately, and if the owner does not do so the County Road Supervisor or his designee and the Sheriff Department will remove such advertising sign or billboard.
(4) When ten days from the date a notification letter has been received or refused, or if the owner of an advertising sign or billboard is not readily ascertainable, ten days from the date a notification letter has been placed on such advertising sign or billboard, the County Road Supervisor or his designee and the Sheriff Department shall remove the advertising sign or billboard.
(E) Any person who willfully violates this ordinance shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.
(F) Permanent advertising signs or billboards as stated above means any billboard, sign, notice, poster, display, or other device intended to attract the attention of operators of motor vehicles on County roads and roads with County rights-of-way, which is on a steel, concrete, or solid metal post, or any semblance thereof, and shall include a structure erected or used in connection with the display of any device and all lighting or other attachments used in connection therewith. Also, permanent signs or billboards means any other advertising sign or billboard which remains in a certain spot or within a 1,500 foot radius for 30 days. However, it does not include directional road signs or official signs, or signals erected by the State, County, or other public agencies having jurisdiction.
(Ord. 329, passed 11-16-1999)