A. Maintenance And Repair: Every sign, including, but not limited to, those signs for which permits are required, shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural condition at all times, including replacement of defective parts, painting, cleaning and other acts required to maintain the sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning in its originally permitted and installed condition in accordance with the following criteria and with the applicable chapters of this code:
1. Paint Or Treat: To prevent rust, peeling, flaking, fading or rotting, the owner of any sign or advertising structure shall, as required, paint all parts and supports thereof unless the same are galvanized, stainless or otherwise treated.
2. Repairs: Broken panels, missing letters, defective illumination, torn fabric, flaking or peeling paint and other damage to a sign, advertising structure, marquee, awning, canopy or support structure shall be repaired.
3. Clean And Sanitary: All signs or advertising structures and the area surrounding same shall be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all debris, rubbish and obnoxious substances, and any related grassed area or landscaping shall be kept trimmed and in a healthy condition.
B. Obsolete Or Abandoned Signs: For any sign or advertising structure now or hereafter existing, which advertises a business, commodity, service, entertainment, activity, or event which has been discontinued, or is located on property which has been vacant and unoccupied, the building inspector shall give written notice requiring removal of the sign to permittee thereof, or if the permittee cannot be located, to the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which it is found. If, after notification, the proper person fails to remove the sign or structure within sixty (60) days after such notice the building inspector is hereby authorized to have such sign or advertising structure removed.
C. Unsafe And Unlawful Signs: For any sign or advertising structure that is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected, or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the building inspector shall give written notice to the permittee thereof, or if the permittee cannot be located, to the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which it is found. If, after notification, the proper person fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards of this section within thirty (30) days after such notice, the building inspector is hereby authorized to have such sign or advertising structure removed. The building inspector may summarily, and without notice, have removed any sign or advertising structure which is an immediate safety hazard to persons or property.
D. Lien To Recover Costs: In the event of failure by any party to reimburse the village within sixty (60) days for costs incurred for repair or removal ordered by the building inspector, the village board shall certify the charges for repair or removal to the village's legal counsel, who will be then authorized to file a notice of lien in the office of the Cook County recorder of deeds to foreclose this lien, and to sue the owner of the real estate, or sign permittee, or their agents, in a civil action to recover the money due for the foregoing services, plus all expenses and reasonable attorney fees to be fixed by the court. Included in the expenses recoverable by the village are the costs of filing the notice of lien, foreclosing said lien, and all litigation costs, together with all office and legal expense incurred in connection with the collection of the amount due. (Ord. 2001-08A, 4-2-2001)