(a) Those designated to administer and enforce. The County Council hereby designates the Codes Administrator or his/her designee to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Notices and orders.
(1) Notice to person responsible. Whenever the Codes Administrator or his/her designee determines that there has been a violation of this code or has grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be given in the manner prescribed in subsections (2) and (3) to the person responsible for the violation as specified in this code.
(2) Form. Such notice prescribed in subsection (1) shall be in accordance with all of the following:
A. Be in writing;
B. Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification;
C. Include a statement of the violation or violations and why the notice is being issued;
D. Include a correction order allowing a reasonable time to make the repairs and improvements required to bring the signage into compliance with the provisions of this code;
E. Inform the property owner or owner's authorized agent of the right to appeal; and
F. Include a statement of the right to file a lien collected on the tax bill.
(3) Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is:
A. Delivered personally; and
B. Sent by certified or first-class mail addressed to the last known address. If the notice is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice.
(c) Noncompliance; removal of sign.
(1) In the event any sign shall be installed, erected, and constructed in violation of any of the provisions of this article, the Codes Administrator or his/her designee shall by written notice inform the owner or lessee thereof of such violation and demand that it be corrected or that the offending sign be removed. If such order is not complied with within seven (7) days after receipt of the notification, the Codes Administrator or his/her designee shall remove or cause such sign to be removed at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof.
(2) The Codes Administrator or his/her designee may remove and dispose of any sign or the sign’s structure illegally placed in the public right-of-way without notice. Owners of signs and/or sign structures illegally placed in the public right-of-way shall cited for the violation and fined in accordance with the provisions of § 19-32(f).
(3) In the event a violation of this section has not been corrected within the time frame set forth in subsection (b)(9) above, the Codes Administrator or his/her designee has the authority to enter upon such lot or parcel of land and correct the violation, and the costs incurred as a result of such action (including inspection, administration, labor and (equipment costs) shall become a lien upon the property and shall be collected in the same manner as county taxes are collected.
(4) Any individual, firm or corporation who shall violate a provision of this chapter shall not be issued additional sign permits until such time as the violation has been corrected or the offending sign removed.
(d) Appeals, variances and special exceptions.
(1) Appeals. Any person who feels that the official charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter has erred in their interpretation or application of any provision contained herein may appeal such decision to the Greenville County Board of Zoning Appeals. Such an appeal shall be filed in writing with the board within thirty (30) days after the receipt of an Official Notice of Violation by the Codes Administrator or his/her designee and shall specify the grounds for each appeal.
(2) Variances. Any person seeking relief from the regulations provided for herein may apply for a variance to the Greenville County Board of Zoning Appeals.
(3) Special exceptions. Any person seeking a special exception provided for herein may apply for a special exception to the Greenville County Board of Zoning Appeals.
(4) Application. All appeals, variances and special exceptions shall be made in accordance with §§ 3:3, 3:4 and 3:5 respectively in the Greenville County Zoning Ordinance.
(Ord. 4926, passed 8-15-2017)