(A) Maintenance required. All signs shall be maintained in good and safe structural condition, shall be painted on all exterior parts, unless coated or made of rust resistant material, and shall be maintained in good condition of appearance. Any owner failing to maintain, repair or remove such signs after due notice has been given shall be guilty of a misdemeanor upon conviction.
(B) Inspection of signs after erection. The Building Official shall be notified by the permittee when erection of the sign is complete, and the Building Official shall make an inspection to determine if the sign conforms to the permit. The Building Official shall inspect annually, or at such other times as he or she deems necessary, each sign regulated by this chapter for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure or insecure, whether it still serves a useful purpose and whether it is in need of removal or repair.
(C) Removal of unsafe and unlawful signs; appeals.
(1) If the Building Official shall find that any sign regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or is abandoned or is maintained in a dilapidated condition, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, or not permitted as required herein, he or she shall give the sign or property owner written notice to repair or remove such sign within ten days after such notice. If the sign or property owner fails to remove, repair or permit such structure so as to comply with all sign standards or regulations, the Building Official shall cause the sign to be either removed or repaired and such cost shall be charged to and paid by the property owner. If such demolition or repair expenses are not paid by the property owner within 30 days of such billing, then such expenses shall constitute a valid lien against the property. Such notice shall also provide the sign or property owner an opportunity to bring the sign into compliance or to request a hearing before the City Council to determine whether the sign should be repaired or removed. Such appeal must be filed in writing with the City Secretary within ten days of the notice. After consideration of all facts, the City Council shall rule upon the appeal.
(2) The Building Official may cause any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
(3) Any sign located in public right-of-way or within ten feet of any road edge may be immediately removed by the building official without notice to the owner.
(Ord. 476, passed 11-12-96; Am. Ord. O-2021-004, passed 1-26-21) Penalty, see § 154.99