The planning and zoning administrator or designee shall enforce all rules and regulations necessary to the operation and enforcement of this chapter. The planning and zoning administrator or designee shall be empowered and directed to:
A. Issue Permits: Issue permits to construct, alter, or repair signs that conform to the provisions of this title. The expiration date for such permits shall be one hundred eighty (180) days from the time the permit is issued.
B. Determine Conformance: Ensure that all signs are constructed in conformance with this title. Clearfield City will perform:
1. Initial Inspection After Construction: The planning and zoning administrator or designee may make an initial inspection upon the completion of construction, erection, reerection, or remodeling of any sign for which a permit has been issued and an inspection request is made. This shall also include the inspection of temporary electrical signs.
2. Reinspection (When Necessary): The planning and zoning administrator or designee may make a reinspection of any sign for which a permit was issued but which upon primary inspection was not built in conformance with the regulations of this title.
C. Legal Action: The planning and zoning administrator or designee shall institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any case where any sign is illegally erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or in any case where any sign is used in violation of any city ordinance including, but not limited to, the provisions of this title by:
1. Issuing Notices Of Violations And Citations: The planning and zoning administrator or designee may issue a written notice of violation to the person having charge or control or benefit of any sign found to be unsafe or dangerous or in violation of this code, particularly when the city is contemplating removal of said sign. Such official may also issue civil citations and swear to information against violators.
2. Abating And Removing Unsafe Or Dangerous Sign: If an unsafe or dangerous sign is not repaired or made safe within five (5) working days, after giving said notice, the city may at once abate and remove said sign and the person having charge, control, or benefit of any such sign shall pay to Clearfield City, within thirty (30) calendar days, after written notice is mailed to such person, the costs incurred in such removal.
3. Abating And Removing Illegal Signs:
a. Permanent signs installed on private property in violation of this chapter shall be brought into conformance within thirty (30) calendar days of written notice by the city, either through removal of the sign or by obtaining a sign permit. Any sign not brought into compliance within the time period given in the notice may at once be abated and removed by the planning and zoning administrator or designee. The person responsible for any such illegal sign shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal thereof, and the city is authorized to effect the collection of said cost.
b. Temporary signs installed on private property in violation of this chapter shall be brought into conformance within twenty four (24) hours of written notice by the city, either through removal of the temporary sign or by obtaining a temporary sign permit. Any sign not brought into compliance within the time period given in the notice may at once be abated and removed by the planning and zoning administrator or designee. The person responsible for any such illegal sign shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal thereof, and the city is authorized to effect the collection of said cost.
c. Any sign posted upon public property may be removed by the city without notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sign, though removed, shall not be destroyed in a period less than thirty (30) calendar days, unless said sign is of the nature that it will have no value after the date of removal.
4. Abating And Removing Nonmaintained, Abandoned, Or Sign Identifying Discontinued Use: The planning and zoning administrator or designee shall require each nonmaintained, abandoned, or sign identifying a discontinued use to be removed from the building or premises when such sign has not been repaired or put into use by the owner, person having control or person receiving benefit of such sign within forty five (45) calendar days after written notice has been given to the owner, person having control, or person receiving benefit of such structure.
D. Failure To Remove Or Abate Any Illegal Sign: In no case shall failure to remove or abate any illegal sign constitute approval by the city of such sign. (Ord. 2009-45, 11-24-2009)