A. Any person violating the Sign Code will be subject to a civil citation and assessed a civil penalty in the amount set by resolution of the City Council.
B. Any person who fails to pay a civil penalty or who does not bring the subject Sign into compliance with the Sign Code within thirty (30) days after the issuance of a civil citation will be subject to a misdemeanor citation, punishable as provided by Coeur d’Alene Municipal Code § 1.28.010. The timely filing of an appeal of a civil citation shall stay enforcement further enforcement activities until a final decision on the appeal is rendered. If the appeal is denied, the civil penalty must be paid and the subject Sign must be brought into compliance with the Sign Code or removed within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the decision on appeal. If the Sign remains after thirty (30) days, a misdemeanor citation may be issued. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
C. In addition to a civil citation, an action may be brought in the name of the City in an appropriate court to enjoin violation of this Chapter, for an order requiring removal of a Sign in violation of this Chapter, and/or for any other remedy at law or equity. In any such action, the prevailing party shall be awarded costs and a reasonable attorney fee pursuant to law.
D. A Sign in violation of the Sign Code may be removed by the City, at the sole expense of the owner of the Sign, thirty (30) days after written notice of the violation has been served on the owner of the Sign or deposited in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner of the Sign, using the address on file with the City. Temporary Signs located or placed in violation of this Chapter may be removed without prior notice. A Sign removed for violation of the Sign Code shall be retained by the City for thirty (30) days. Written notice of the removal shall be provided to the owner of the Sign and permit holder and, if the Sign is not claimed within the time specified in the notice, it may be discarded without liability on the part of the City. A owner or permit holder of the Sign who claims it after its removal shall pay to the City an amount equal to the costs incurred by the City in removing the Sign.
E. When, in the judgment of the Building Official, a Sign constitutes an imminent hazard or risk to lives or property, the City may remove the Sign immediately with or without notice. The procedures of subsection D shall then be followed.
F. The costs incurred when the City removes a Sign under the provisions of this Chapter may be certified for collection to the county treasurer against the property on which it is located as provided for by Idaho Code § 50-1008. (Ord. 3698 §3, 2022)