In the case of a sign which presents imminent danger to life or property the sign owner must take immediate action as is necessary to abate the danger. If the sign owner cannot be reached, the appropriate City Official may abate the danger in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
(a) Abandonment Defined. If any sign becomes abandoned, in a manner defined herein, such sign is declared a public nuisance by reason that continued lack of use results in lack of reasonable and adequate maintenance, thereby causing deterioration and creating a blighting influence on nearby properties. An abandoned sign is any sign that meets any of the following conditions:
(1) Any sign associated with any abandoned use; or
(2) Any sign that remains after the termination of a business or use. A business or use is considered abandoned if it has ceased operations for at least ninety (90) days.
(b) Determination of Abandonment. When the Zoning Inspector finds, upon investigation, that a sign has been abandoned, the Zoning Inspector will notify the property owner of the violation of this Code and the violation is subject to a civil offense in accordance with Kent Codified Ordinance (KCO) Section 501.13
, as amended.
(c) Right to Remove. If the abandoned or dangerous sign is not removed as ordered, the sign may be removed by the City of Kent at the expense of the lessee or owner. If the City of Kent is not reimbursed for the cost of removal within thirty (30) days of such removal, the amount thereof may be certified to the County Auditor for collection as a special assessment against the property upon which such sign is located. (Ord. 2021-057. Passed 6-16-21.)