Signs placed within the jurisdiction may be removed for the following reasons:
A. The administrator may cause the removal of an illegal sign for failure to comply with a written order of removal. The sign owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the city in connection with the removal and demolition of the sign.
B. Signs found to be structurally, materially or electrically defective or in any way found to be a hazard or an endangerment to the public shall be ordered repaired or removed by the owner within a time frame not to exceed a maximum of thirty (30) days, as established by the administrator based upon the degree of hazard presented by the sign.
C. Upon inspection, if the administrator finds that a sign is abandoned by reason of a change of occupancy or vacation of the building or use, it shall be removed within ninety (90) days by the sign owner. Failure to remove shall subject the sign owner to the responsibility for all costs incurred in removal or demolition of the sign by the jurisdiction.
D. The administrator, in case of an emergency when a dangerous or defective sign poses an immediate hazard, may cause the removal of the sign without the standard notice. Following removal of the sign, the administrator shall make available to the owner a statement of the work performed and a copy of the costs of the removal for payment.
E. In the case of removal of a sign by the jurisdiction, if the costs for removal are not paid by the owner of the sign within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of those costs and attempt to serve notice of those costs, the amount specified shall become an assessment or lien against the property.
F. Signs described in subsection 11-23-9B4 of this chapter erected on public property or rights of way without prior approval shall be subject to immediate removal where and when possible by city personnel without obligation to notify the owner of said sign. (Ord. 2813, 10-20-1997)