(a) Construction. Permanent signs shall be constructed of permanent materials, maintained in good condition at all times, kept free of cracked or peeling paint, rust, missing or damaged sign panels or supports, and not obscured by weeds, grass or other vegetation.
(b) Measurement Standards. The area of any sign shall be measured to include the area of the smallest single rectangle enclosing all elements of the sign, including letters, characters, designs, graphics and the space between the elements of the sign. For ground signs with the two sides in parallel, back-to-back arrangement, only one side of the sign shall be included in the measurement of the area. In determining the location of a sign in relation to lot lines, distances shall be measured from the vertical projection of the lot line to the closest point on the sign. The height of a ground sign shall be measured to the top of the sign panel. The supporting structure may extend a maximum of two feet above the sign panel.
(c) Removal of Certain Signs. When a commercial sign is not associated with an existing commercial use of the property, or in the case of non-commercial signage, when the owner abandons the use associated with the sign, such sign shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found, within ten days after written notification from the Administrator. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Administrator is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expenses incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building to which such sign is attached. Signs that are more than fifty years old, lawfully installed and attached to or on the same lot as a historically significant structure are considered to be of historic significance and are exempt from the requirements of this sub-section.
(d) Unsafe and Unlawful Signs. If the Administrator's inspection finds that any sign regulated herein is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, notice shall be given in writing by the Administrator to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten days after such notice, such sign may be removed by the Administrator at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Administrator shall refuse to issue a permit for a sign or a building permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Administrator may cause any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice, and give written notice of the sign removal to the owner of the lot and/or use when feasible.
(e) Nonconforming Signs. Signs lawfully erected but made nonconforming by adoption of this Code or amendments thereto, are regulated by the provisions of Section 1145.03(d).
(f) Presumption of Responsibility. The owner or occupant of any premises upon which a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is apparent or the owner of any sign placed or remaining anywhere in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed prima-facie responsible for the violation so evidenced and subject to the penalty provided therefor.
(g) Substitution of Noncommercial Message. Noncommercial signs may be substituted for any sign expressly permitted by this Chapter. Noncommercial signs shall be subject to the same permit requirements, restrictions on size and type, and other conditions and specifications that apply to the sign for which they are being substituted.
(Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)