(A) From and after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be unlawful to erect, or to structurally or electrically alter, any billboard within the village unless a permit therefore has been issued by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. A written application for such permit shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator, and the application shall contain, as a minimum, a site plan; a plan of the proposed billboard; a map showing spacing with respect to existing billboards; and evidence of any federal or state permits which the applicant has obtained with respect to the billboard. The application shall be signed by the owner of record of the zoning lot on which the billboard will be located. Prior to or concurrently with the filing of such application, the applicant shall pay to the village a permit fee in the amount of $10.00 for each sign, plus $.25 for each square foot of surface area of such sign in excess of 20 square feet. If the application shows that the proposed billboard would be in conformance with this chapter, the Zoning Administrator shall grant the application and issue a permit. If the application shows that the proposed billboard would not be in conformance with this chapter, the Zoning Administrator shall deny the application in writing. The Zoning Administrator shall have five business days to grant or deny the permit application; his decision shall be reviewable by the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the appeal provisions in the Zoning Ordinance.
(B) Compliance with state law. No billboard permit shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator unless the applicant has obtained all necessary state or federal permits, if any. The issuance of such state or federal permits shall not entitle the applicant to issuance of a village permit, unless the applicant is in compliance with all applicable village, state and federal laws.
(C) Maintenance of billboards. Billboards shall be maintained in a safe condition. If the Zoning Administrator shall find that any billboard has not been properly maintained, as evidenced by damaged, dented, cracked, broken or missing parts; the presence of rust or oxidation; faded or chipped paint; or similar conditions of disrepair, he or she shall give written notice of such violation to the owner or occupant of the premises upon which such sign is located, stating the condition noted and providing not less than 15 days within which to remedy the deficiency, unless the billboard presents an immediate threat to life or property, in which case the notice shall provide that the deficiency shall be remedied immediately.
(Ord. 99-41, passed 8-10-99) Penalty, see § 160.99