The Community Development Department of the city shall be vested with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this subchapter of the zoning ordinances, and in performance of such duty, shall be empowered and directed to:
(A) Procedures. The Community Development Department may, at its discretion, adopt such procedures not repugnant to law for the administration and enforcement of this subchapter;
(B) Issue permits. To issue permits to construct, alter or repair signs which conform to the provisions of this chapter. Work not started within 180 days will require a new permit;
(C) Determine conformance. To ascertain that all signs, constructions and all reconstructions or modifications of existing signs are built or constructed in conformance to the zoning ordinances and building restrictions and building codes;
(D) Perform inspections.
(1) To make an inspection of any sign upon the completion, erection, reconstruction or remodeling of the same. This inspection shall be made to assure compliance with the provisions of these regulations, other ordinances of the city and conditions precedent to the issuance of a conditional use permit, if applicable;
(2) To inspect each sign for which a complaint of non-compliance with local ordinances is made in writing to the Community Development Department; and
(3) To make periodic inspections of all signs to assure compliance with these regulations, ordinances of the city and conditions precedent to the issuance of a conditional use permit, if applicable; and to ensure that signs are properly painted and maintained in a safe condition.
(E) Issue notices. To issue a notice of violation to the person having charge or control or benefit of any sign found by the Community Development Department to be unsafe or dangerous, or in violation of the ordinances of the city;
(F) Violation; purpose. To institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any case where any sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or in any case where any sign is used in violation of any ordinance of the city, including, but not limited to, the zoning ordinances to accomplish the following purposes:
(1) To prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use;
(2) To restrain, to correct or abate such violation;
(3) To take steps to abate and remove pursuant to applicable ordinances any unsafe or dangerous sign which is not repaired or made safe within five working days after appropriate notice to the person having charge, control or benefit of any such sign;
(4) To take steps to abate and remove pursuant to applicable ordinances any illegal sign which is not made conforming within 30 working days after giving appropriate notice to the person having charge, control or benefit of any such sign; and
(5) To take steps to abate and remove pursuant to applicable ordinances any non-maintained or abandoned sign which is not repaired or put into use within ten working days after giving appropriate notice to the person having charge, control or benefit of any such sign.
(G) Notice requirements.
(1) Notification by the city to persons having charge or control or benefit of any sign found by the Community Development Department to be unsafe or dangerous or in violation of the zoning ordinance or other ordinances of the city and where the city is contemplating removal of said sign shall be accomplished by utilizing written notices sent through the registered mail.
(2) Any such notice shall state the exact nature of the violation.
(Prior Code, § 29.27.050) (Ord. 07-13, passed 7-19-2007)